Wendy Watson, ARC Greater Twin Cities

Wendy is a long standing CLC volunteer.  She completed her training in 1997 and took her first case in 1998. She usually takes children with significant development disabilities and special needs.  Given her clients’ significant needs,  Wendy ensures that she has all her clients’ relevant assessments and case information, she connects with their special education teachers and resources, and she uses developmentally appropriate language to ensure her clients understand her role.  She has represented 20 CLC clients and currently has three.

Wendy says, “Working with the attorneys and staff at Children’s Law Center has been an invaluable part of my ongoing legal education.  They always provide guidance, training and support with difficult issues.  But the greatest experience is working with the kids and helping them define and articulate the life they want for themselves.  CLC gives them that voice.”

 Wendy Watson joined The Arc Greater Twin Cities in 1999 as an Advocate and was promoted to Senior Advocate in 2005.  Her focus is on educational advocacy for children from kindergarten through transition age.

Wendy is a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association, where she is Vice Chair of the Children’s Law Section.  She provides pro bono legal assistance to the Children’s Law Center.   She also serves on the boards of Friends of Children and Metrokids and is a member of the Lutheran Special Education Ministry’s Regional Support Council. In 2010, she was appointed to the Hamline University Board or Trustees.

Prior to joining The Arc, Wendy taught in a developmental achievement center.  She also taught special education in the Anoka-Hennepin School District, where she later became a behavior analyst.  She worked briefly as a family attorney after earning her law degree.

Wendy has a bachelor’s degree in Child Psychology and Communication Disorders from the University of Minnesota, where she graduated magna cum laude.  She received a master’s in Educational Psychology form the University of Minnesota, graduating with honors.  She received a Juris Doctor degree from Hamline University.