ADVOCATE - TUTOR - COACH - CONSULTANT
Karen Edwards
Founder & Director, 2111 ECMA, LLC
Teacher of the Year | Walmart Teacher of the Year
Karen Edwards is a highly respected educator, advocate, and leader with over 25 years of experience serving students with disabilities and their families. She is the Founder and Director of 2111 ECMA, LLC, where she leads a growing team of professionals dedicated to providing premium advocacy, tutoring, coaching, and consulting services for students, parents, educators, and schools.
Karen is a proud graduate of Norfolk State University, where she earned a degree in Psychology with an endorsement in Special Education. As a lifelong resident of Hampton Roads and a product of Virginia Beach City Public Schools, she has devoted her career to uplifting her community through education.
Professional Experience & Expertise
In her role as a middle school special education teacher for Virginia Beach City Public Schools, Karen served for 25 years in various leadership positions, including:
- Special Education Department Chair
- Special Education Committee Chair
- IEP Designee and Compliance Lead
Her deep knowledge of special education law, instructional design, and student-centered planning has helped hundreds of students achieve measurable growth and gain access to meaningful educational opportunities.
Karen’s expertise includes:
- Writing and implementing legally compliant Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
- Teaching students who require specially designed instruction
- Developing curricula aligned with IEP goals and standards
- Collecting and utilizing data to drive instruction and monitor progress
- Creating learning plans for the Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP)
- Coaching teachers on classroom management, caseload organization, and IEP implementation
- Supporting young adults through job coaching and life skills training
- Guiding parents through the special education process with clarity, compassion, and confidence
- Training administrators on how to support special education departments with fidelity and equity
Mission of 2111 ECMA
At 2111 ECMA, our mission is to train and empower families, educators, and schools to create nurturing, compliant, and productive learning environments. Guided by Christian values, we believe every student, regardless of ability, deserves the opportunity to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
We are committed to preparing students not just for school, but for real life, by building the skills and confidence they need to succeed in their communities.
A Life Guided by Faith & Purpose
“God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job at teaching.” Romans 12:6-7
“God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God's many kinds of blessings.” 1 Peter 4:10
Karen lives by these scriptures, using her God-given gifts to advocate, teach, lead, and serve with excellence and grace.
EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANT
Renee Wilson, Ed.D.
Professional Learning Speaker
Instructional Coach and Consultant for SPED Administrators and SPED Teachers
Renee Wilson, Ed. D., strongly supports enhancing and advocating for special education services. Her extensive experience in education reinforces her commitment to providing equitable, compliant, and effective support for all students, particularly those receiving special education services.
With over two decades of experience in the education sector, she has consistently demonstrated a commitment to student achievement, instructional excellence, and teacher empowerment. As a building administrator, she has led her team to achieve Tier I performance in special education reading and math. Her agencies earned a fully accredited status based on raw data and achieved top scores on key assessments. These accomplishments stem from her comprehensive understanding of IEP compliance, behavioral interventions, instructional leadership, and collaboration with families and staff.
Throughout her career, as a special education teacher, instructional coach, and administrator, she has worked to ensure that IEPs are not only legally compliant but also meaningfully aligned with student needs. Her experience includes developing and implementing individualized programs, supporting behavior intervention plans, and mentoring teachers in both inclusive and self-contained settings. She has served as the Local Educational Agency (LEA) representative in Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings, overseen Response to Intervention (RTI) processes, and designed professional development tailored to the diverse needs of learners.
In every leadership role, she has focused on building the capacity of educators through coaching, strategic planning, and data-driven decision-making. She has participated in numerous committees focused on literacy, gifted education, and improving special education services. Her background also includes advanced training in instructional leadership, literacy development, and higher education, culminating in a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Liberty University.
Her advocacy for special education is not only a professional obligation, but it is a personal mission. She is dedicated to ensuring that every child, regardless of their challenges, receives the individualized support and opportunities they need to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.
She welcomes the opportunity to continue contributing to the advancement of inclusive, high-quality education for all students.