Dedicating more than 25 years to advancing the well-being and educational outcomes of children with special needs, Andrea C. Peabody has distinguished herself as a special education consultant. She has operated as a freelance consultant since 2000, primarily serving the North County region. Most recently, Ms. Peabody has been affiliated with the Nebo Unified School District in Utah. Her expertise in special education is widely recognized, and her commitment to innovative teaching methods and individualized support has set her apart in the field.
Concurrently with her work as a freelance consultant, Ms. Peabody served as a behavior interventionist with Easterseals Southern California from 2017 to 2018. In this capacity, she worked directly with children exhibiting a range of behavioral challenges, utilizing an approach marked by patience, creativity and evidence-based interventions. For more than 20 years, beginning in 1997, Ms. Peabody held the role of parenting expert at Parents United US, providing guidance and resources to families navigating complex parenting challenges. She also contributed in this position earlier in her career for several years.
Ms. Peabody’s early professional journey included serving as a site supervisor for Pride, a nonprofit organization in San Diego, from 1990 to 1992. Immediately upon earning her bachelor’s degree in 1990, she began making home visits to teach parents with developmental disabilities how to care for their children. Across all of her jobs, Ms. Peabody has drawn inspiration from witnessing the progress of children in her care — whether teaching baby sign language or encouraging meaningful interactions among family members. She has been further motivated by the recognition and trust she has received from social workers and counselors.
The foundation of Ms. Peabody’s career lies in her extensive tenure as a foster parent for San Diego County, beginning in 1986. Over 25 years, she welcomed foster children associated with some of the most challenging cases into her home, including children with reactive attachment disorder and teenagers presenting with schizophrenia. She is especially proud of transforming the children involved in these difficult cases into remarkable adults. Among her many successes, she supported a nonspeaking autistic girl as she progressed to attend college and secure employment — a powerful achievement and a testament to her profound impact.
In another hallmark of her career, Ms. Peabody played a pioneering role in establishing San Diego County’s wraparound system, which brought comprehensive resources to children throughout California. She regards this program, which remains active today, as her most notable professional accomplishment.
Throughout her career, Ms. Peabody has benefited from a strong academic background. She first attended a nursing education program at Grossmont College, obtaining her vocational nursing license in 1971. Returning to school to facilitate a shift in direction, Ms. Peabody earned a bachelor’s degree in human development from San Diego State University in 1990. She maintained advanced first aid and CPR certification through the National CPR Foundation from 2022 to 2024.
Known for her contributions as a civic-minded citizen, Ms. Peabody’s influence extends beyond professional settings into broader community engagement. She regularly volunteers with United Way and Welcome Baby Home, an initiative she founded that supports new parents by providing resources and connecting them with support groups. Ms. Peabody served as a neighborhood watch commander for the Heritage Mobile Home Park from 2013 to 2019, fostering community safety and cohesion. She also offered insight as a family and child advocate for the University of San Diego School of Law for more than five years.
Looking to the future, Ms. Peabody is determined to pursue further education, aiming to complete both a master’s degree and a doctorate. This continued learning will provide her with even more tools for aiding school systems and families as a special education consultant. Having dedicated several decades to nurturing resilience, independence and hope in every child entrusted to her care, Ms. Peabody plans to continue in this lifelong mission. This enduring goal reflects her unwavering belief in the potential in every child.