We are Special Education Advocates.

Arthur Luger, CFO

Arthur Luger is SLA’s CFO. While it is true he got his job through nepotism, there have been no regrets about hiring him.

After obtaining a Ph.D. In Physics, Art worked for many years as a consultant on Wall Street, specializing in Risk Management. In 2007, he thought it might be a good time to retire and take it easy. His wife (Executive Director Susan Luger) had a better idea. In need of a business manager for SLA, Susan realized she knew the perfect candidate. And the rest is history.

Art is an essential member of the SLA Team. With his skills in project management, he has done a masterful job of organizing the business side of SLA. He and his business office team keep everything humming on the third floor so the advocates on the second floor can better serve our clients.

Arthur Luger, CFO2019-08-19T17:16:32+00:00

Louis Chi

Louis Chi has been the Impartial Hearing Manager at SLA since 2009. In addition to serving as Impartial Hearing Coordinator, Louis is now actively assisting Art with tasks relating to client reimbursements. Louis is fluent in Mandarin and Cantonese.

Louis Chi2016-12-26T18:30:31+00:00

Annie DeLeon

Annie DeLeon is a certified paralegal with years of experience in special education and dealing with the NYCDOE. Annie works with both the Business Office Team and the Settlement Team. Annie holds a certificate as a Paralegal and an Associates Degree in Human Services. With Annie’s help, we have improved the efficiency of our hearing and settlement processes. As Annie will gladly tell you, her greatest achievement has been the birth of her beautiful daughter Julia in December 2015.

Annie DeLeon2016-12-26T18:27:25+00:00

Adrienne Schorr, Parent Representative

Adrienne Schorr received a B.A. in Fine Arts and Secondary Education from Lehman College, C.U.N.Y. and an M.A. in Special Education with a focus on physical and multiple disabilities from Columbia University, Teachers College to fulfill her desire to teach art in a more therapeutic/rehabilitative setting.

Adrienne began teaching art at United Cerebral Palsy of New York City’s Brooklyn Teenage and Adult program and subsequently taught in the New York City public schools for 10 years. Her experience in New York City included teaching art to multiply disabled students 5 – 21 years of age and middle school students with a wide range of learning and emotional disabilities and speech and language impairments. She taught art in the Poughkeepsie City School District for the next 20 years. This experience included elementary school for 5 years and then high school. Throughout her years of teaching the “general population” Adrienne specialized in and advocated for those students with special needs who were mainstreamed into her art classes; working closely with their teachers, families and support professionals, and often attending CSE meetings. In addition to her teaching responsibilities she acted as Advisor and Advocate of the Gay/Straight Alliance at Poughkeepsie High School.

Adrienne was an adjunct lecturer at both Queens College and Lehman College, teaching a graduate course “Visual Arts for Students With Learning Problems”. She held summer positions teaching art to incarcerated youth, mentoring teenage gifted girls, and has given private art lessons to an autistic teenager. One of the highlights of Adrienne’s teaching career was the opportunity to share her knowledge and experience in Japan when she participated in a Fulbright Memorial Fund Teacher Program in 2003. She is excited to now use her extensive experiences as an educator to advocate for students with special needs as part of SLA’s team.

Adrienne Schorr, Parent Representative2016-12-22T23:09:16+00:00

Rita Ashdale, Educational Advocate

Rita Ashdale is a professionally trained Special Education Advocate and parent of a son with learning disabilities. Since 2011, she has worked for private clients in both New York and Massachusetts and is thrilled to join Susan Luger Associates. She earned a Certification in Special Education Advocacy from William and Mary Law School, PELE Institute in Special Education Advocacy and Wrightslaw in Williamsburg, VA.

She also completed full advocacy training with NSEAI, National Special Education Advocacy Institute, of Wayne, PA. Rita has trained extensively with the Landmark Outreach Teacher Development Program at Landmark School in Prides Crossing, MA, which specializes in teaching students with language-based learning disabilities using scientific research-based methodologies.

Rita earned 196 Professional Development Points in Special Education, General Education and Administration for Reading Comprehension, Writing, Study Skills, Executive Functioning and Special Education Law. When she was young and fair, Rita completed four years at Boston University’s College for the Arts majoring Theatre Arts and Acting. Rita is passionate about helping parents to successfully navigate the treacherous waters of special education.

Rita Ashdale, Educational Advocate2019-08-19T17:15:09+00:00

Lawrence D. Weinberg, Esq., Ed.D.

Dr. Lawrence Weinberg, Larry to his colleagues, represents parents at impartial hearings in New York and New Jersey. Larry is also on the Appellate Team for SLA, handling appeals to the State Review Officer and to federal court. He also represents parents in appeals to the New York State Commissioner of Education on various issues, including transportation, vaccinations, and gifted and talented programs.

Larry holds a master’s degree in education from Northwestern University and both a law degree and Doctor of Education degree from Boston University. His interest in special education started while working at a school for special needs children. He brings his background as a special needs educator to hearings.

He is the author of the book “Religious Charter Schools: Legalities and Practicalities”, and has also published articles and book chapters related to educational policy. He was formerly a professor of educational leadership at Northwest Missouri State University and was a proud presenter at the White House summit on education in April 2008.

His website is http://www.lawrenceweinberg.com.

Lawrence D. Weinberg, Esq., Ed.D.2017-03-31T00:15:50+00:00

Natasha Chase, Director

Our  Director Natasha Chase keeps SLA moving forward.  She meets with every new family to evaluate their case.  She works closely with the Advocates, providing  invaluable advice and supervision.

Natasha has two Master’s degrees, in education and social work. She  is a graduate of the Wurzweiler School of Social Work of Yeshiva University.  She comes to special education advocacy with an appreciation for cultural differences and an eagerness to help parents and school districts work together for the good of the children.

Natasha is a believer that you have to find humor in adversity. Armed with a sense of humor and conflict resolution skills, Natasha is ready to support parents navigating the special education maze. She has been with SLA since 2008. Back then Natasha was one of the first graduates of the course in advocacy training provided by the Council of Parents Attorneys and Advocates in 2007.

Natasha is fluent in German, French and Russian.

Natasha Chase, Director2017-01-25T20:15:40+00:00

Ellen Roth, Educational Advocate

Ellen’s primary focus is providing support for the litigation process through the drafting of essential documents. Ellen’s preparation of requests for impartial hearings and related documents is aimed at maximizing our clients’ chances of settlement or prevailing at a hearing.

Prior to joining Susan Luger Associates, she was employed in a similar capacity in the offices of a special education attorney in New York City. Ellen has spent most of her professional life in education, as a classroom and remedial reading teacher in the New York City public schools and administrator at Baruch and Hunter colleges.

Ellen has a B.S. from Skidmore College, master’s degrees in remedial reading and guidance from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a J.D. from CUNY Law School.

Ellen Roth, Educational Advocate2017-01-16T20:46:10+00:00

Susan Luger, M.S., Executive director

Susan Luger Associates is the personification of Susan, representing caring and support of those with need.

Susan Luger holds degrees in education and social work. Susan Luger Associates (SLA) is her creation, combining her educational experiences (originally a Kindergarten teacher, later a reading specialist and a licensed supervisor) with social work expertise (MSW, LCSW) plus a strong sense of righteousness and fair play.

Susan developed her unique strategy starting in 1984. Then she was a solo practitioner and one of the first Educational Advocates in New York City.

Susan has now teamed with special education advocates, parent representatives and attorneys. In 2007, she formed SLA, the embodiment of her unique special education strategy. Susan has imbued the organization with ‘heart’, with cooperative team spirit, and congeniality.

Susan holds the distinction of being one of the few non-attorneys whose communications have been quoted in federal cases. She is known to the NYS Education Department as a tireless activist for the rights of special needs children.

In Susan’s strategy, all parties – parents, experts, our advocates, our affiliated attorneys, the school, teachers – are on the team.

Susan Luger, M.S., Executive director2017-01-25T20:16:40+00:00

Susan Luger Associates | Special Education Advocates | 57th West 57th Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10019 | © Copyright All Rights Reserved
Sarasota Office: 4243 64th Drive East, Sarasota, Florida 34243 | 888.468.1168

Go to Top