Gil in Monterey, CA, at the COPAA Conference
My Mexican friends will sometimes use the curse, “May your life be filled with lawyers!” I have always laughed at that, but today I find myself at the annual conference of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates in Monterey, California, and I find my life filled with the most wonderful, giving, lawyers and advocates. They are the kind of hard-charging do-gooders who I love to spend time with, so a life filled with these good folks seems like a life well spent!
Petra Daitz, MS Ed., Admissions Coordinator, Shrub Oak International School
I feel really lucky to be representing Shrub Oak International School at this conference, along with my friend, Petra Daitz, as it is so easy to talk to folks about a program that will so wonderfully serve the group of students we are aiming to serve, adolescents and young adults in the 14-22 age range. When you have so much to offer, a 127 acre campus, an equestrian center, an organic farm, a pool, a transition program, a full range of clinical services and an innovative academic program, it is not a challenge to answer interested advocate’s questions.
I have been so pleased at the enthusiastic reception we have received from all of these very knowledgable people. Makes me fee like we’re on the right track, and reaffirms what I have always suspected: if you create the program that respects individuals, and supports people on their way to becoming their authentic selves, people will greet you with open arms. So, I send you a blessing: May your life be filled with hard working, caring lawyers and advocates like the people I have met here!
Dr. Gil Tippy's Child Development Blog 
Gil – I read this and had to share – as someone who provides independent evaluations for litigation purposes,I have had the pleasure of working with an amazing advocate and a number of exceptional attorney’s here in New Jersey. I agree that it is wonderful to see how they help and support the families they work with! …..Now we just need a program like yours here in-state! 🙂
Best,
Melanie
Thank you so much, Melanie. I have loved my time with these wonderful, supportive people. We will continue to create great respectful schools, until the day we no longer need them!