Welcome to the Low Down
Education Lowdown Podcast | Episode 1
PODCAST
8/17/20263 min read
EDUCATION LOWDOWN PODCAST | EPISODE 1
Welcome to the Low Down
Meet Dylcia Hernandez Dell'Era, MSW, PPSC — social worker, former school administrator, parent, advocate, and founder of Education Lowdown.
For the first episode of the Education Lowdown Podcast, we're doing things a little differently. Dylcia sits down with her husband, Dustin, to talk about the experiences that led her from social work and a two-decade career in education to educational advocacy.
Together, they discuss what Dylcia has learned sitting on both sides of the IEP table, why navigating special education can feel so overwhelming for families, and why parents should never underestimate the expertise they bring to the conversation.
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About This Episode
What does it feel like to sit on both sides of the IEP table?
Dylcia has spent more than two decades working in social work and education, supporting students and families from inside the systems parents are trying to navigate. She's also experienced those systems as a parent, with her own children receiving support through IEPs.
That combination of professional and personal experience ultimately helped inspire Education Lowdown.
In this episode, Dylcia talks about why parents can feel overwhelmed when they enter a meeting surrounded by teachers, administrators, specialists, reports, acronyms, and unfamiliar terminology.
She also challenges something she's heard parents say:
"I'm not an expert. I'm just a mom."
Parents may not have the same professional training as the other members of the team, but they bring an expertise no one else at the table can replicate: they know their child.
Dylcia and Dustin also discuss the importance of learning about your child's individual needs, asking questions, documenting important communication, developing relationships with educators, finding community, and becoming an informed advocate.
You'll also hear about Dylcia's background in social work, what brought her into education, memorable experiences from her career, and why she created the Education Lowdown Podcast.
What You'll Learn In This Episode
We discuss:
Why Dylcia launched Education Lowdown and this podcast
Her journey from social work into education and school administration
What she's learned sitting on both sides of the IEP table
Why IEP and 504 meetings can feel overwhelming for parents
Why parents shouldn't discount their own expertise
Learning about your child's disability or neurodivergence
Building collaborative relationships between parents and educators
Asking questions and documenting important communication
Advocating for your child's needs at school and beyond
How parents can become involved at the school and district level
The role of community and connection in advocacy
What listeners can expect from future Education Lowdown conversations
You're Not "Just" the Parent
One of the most important messages in this episode is simple:
You are your child's first advocate.
Professionals may bring expertise in assessments, instruction, services, therapies, educational programs, or regulations.
Parents bring something different.
You know your child.
You know what motivates them. You know what overwhelms them. You know what they enjoy, what they struggle with, what you've tried, and what you've seen work.
That information matters.
Education Lowdown exists to help families combine that knowledge with a better understanding of the systems surrounding their children so they can participate confidently and meaningfully in decisions affecting their education.
Meet Dylcia
Dylcia Hernandez Dell'Era, MSW, PPSC
Former School Administrator | Social Worker | Education Advocate
Dylcia's career began in social work and evolved into more than two decades of work supporting children and families in education.
Her social-work background continues to influence how she approaches advocacy: understand the systems affecting a family, meet people where they are, build relationships, provide information, and help people find their voice.
Today, through Education Lowdown, Dylcia supports families navigating educational challenges and provides parent education, workshops, advocacy support, and speaking engagements.
Need Support Navigating Your Child's Education?
Understanding an IEP, 504 Plan, evaluation, school meeting, or concern about your child's education can feel overwhelming.
You don't have to walk into those conversations unprepared.
Education Lowdown helps families better understand the process, prepare for important conversations, and confidently advocate for their children.