Elizabeth Zielinski BA, JD
Leadership Committee, Advisor
Credentials
B.A., Interdisciplinary Studies: Communications, Legal Institutions, Economics, and
Government (CLEG), American University, 1989
J.D., Georgetown University, 1994
Special Education Advocate Training (SEAT) 2.0 Graduate, Council of Parents
Attorney and Advocates (COPAA), 2019
Experience
Liz is the parent of two now-adult, neurodiverse sons who are the light of her life. Her younger son is an unreliably speaking autistic person who has used a letter board to access academic content since 2016. Every day, she is driven to create opportunities for him, and by doing so discovered that she has a talent for educational advocacy. Now, she assists families across the United States with
creating appropriate educational planning for their needs, and ensuring that their
accommodations are met. In 2018, she founded Spellers Learn, an online
marketplace providing lesson content to letter board users. And in 2023 she became
the inaugural instructor for Spellers University, with an online course teaching others
to become advocates for their letter board user.​
​
Personal Interest
Liz currently resides in the northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, DC with her
family. She’s a lifelong learner that always seems to be working towards learning a
new skill or hobby. Most recently, that included becoming a master knitter and
tracing her family genealogy back through several centuries. Next up: correcting the
sloppy French learned from her Canadian family members and Czech classroom
teacher.
Why Liz is excited to be on the All Minds team
Liz’s husband describes her as a “rabid terrier” when it comes to pursuing her
passions (and she considers that a compliment). Her biggest passions in life are her
sons, and education. All Minds Academy is the perfect blend of both – because her
son will be an enrolled student. Knowing that he will be able to pursue his own
passion in life thanks to the opportunities being created by AMA is a dream come
true for this family. “To love what you do and know that it matters… how could
anything be better?” (Katherine Graham)