Women of Distinction Magazine Selects Ellen Louise Wristen, JD, as a Distinguished Professional in Her Field

    COLUMBUS, OH, January 12, 2017 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Ellen Louise Wristen, JD, Executive Director of Brookwood Academy, Inc., has been recognized as a Distinguished Professional in her field through Women of Distinction Magazine.

Executive Director of Brookwood Academy, Inc. Ellen Louise Wristen, JD, founded her school in an effort to help special needs students and their parents attain the necessary attention and education they rightfully deserved. After adopting her first son who was also a special education student, she wanted to create change for all students in need.

"My goal has always been for parents and students to be successfully identified for special education service and be served rather than repeatedly failed or removed from school," Wristen said about her efforts. "I'd like for my work here at the Academy to reflect the transformation of students who I have assisted in obtaining a free, appropriate education, knowing that I did everything I could to take the appropriate measures to ensure that they successfully graduate and enter into adulthood with a plan."

Spending the first portion of her career in law serving in the criminal courts, Wristen slowly transitioned to solely working in special education law after her son's adoption. In the years to come, working exclusively in this capacity, she filed approximately 150 due process actions per year to represent these children. When Wristen decided to form Brentwood Academy, Inc., she was ready to turn a new leaf and, rather than represent these children in the court system, and began educating them, giving them placement when they had nowhere else to turn to.

"Adopting and raising a son with mental health issues has helped me gain an understanding of mental health ser-vices and family issues," Wristen added. "I understand the challenges that families have in finding appropriate mental health, counseling, and educational services for their children. I also understand how the mental health challenges can impact the educational process. The Brookwood Academy, Inc. provides all of these services and more."

Wristen's passion to help parents of students with special needs is very evident through her work at the Academy. These students, she says, require a provided a free appropriate public education (FAPE). Their families need assistance in helping their children reach adulthood. Students who are in school and cannot do what is expected learn how to get out of school. They learn that they can be suspended/expelled by acting out. Some students have actually been removed from school as their goal. The earlier those students receive appropriate educational services the better the student's change of developing appropriate educational and social skills.

Wristen completed her BS in Secondary Education with a Certification to teach government/social studies at Capital University. She spent two years as a High School Teacher before working toward her JD at Capital University. She was admitted to the Ohio bar in 1974 and spent 28 years practicing law before forming Brookwood Academy, Inc. and its predecessor, Brookwood Community Learning Center.

About Women of Distinction Magazine:
Women of Distinction Magazine strives to continually bring the very best out in each article published and highlight Women of Distinction. Women of Distinction Magazine's mission is to have a platform where women can grow, inspire, empower, educate and encourage professionals from any industry by sharing stories of courage and success.

Contact:
Women of Distinction Magazine, Melville, NY
631-465-9024 [email protected]

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