Meet Our Experts
Expertise in Education. Grounded in Mental Wellness.
Focused on the Whole Child.
At Lilac Educational Consulting, we understand that academic success is about more than grades. Students thrive when their educational, emotional, behavioral, and individual learning needs are understood and supported.
Our experts bring decades of combined experience in education, student support, curriculum development, mental health, professional learning, and family advocacy. We partner with students, families, educators, schools, and organizations to identify challenges, build on strengths, and create practical paths forward.
Whether a family is navigating academic concerns, seeking additional student support, or trying to better understand the educational system, our goal is simple: help every student feel understood, supported, and capable of success.
Dr. Aly Berner, Ed.D.
Educational Leadership • Exceptional Student Education • Curriculum & Professional Learning
Dr. Aly Berner brings decades of experience across multiple areas of education, giving her a unique understanding of how students, families, educators, and school systems work together.
Throughout her career, Dr. Berner has supported students with diverse learning needs while collaborating closely with teachers, school psychologists, counselors, administrators, and families. Her experience as a Student Staffing Resource Specialist provided extensive insight into developing individualized educational supports and helping families navigate the complexities of exceptional student education.
Dr. Berner has also served as a program specialist with Orange County Public Schools, where her work includes curriculum development, professional learning, and support for elementary schools. In addition, she has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Central Florida, sharing her knowledge and experience with future and practicing educators.
Her combination of classroom, district, university, curriculum, and student-support experience allows her to look beyond a single challenge and consider the full educational picture.
Areas of Expertise
Science of Reading
Exceptional Student Education and student support
IEP and 504 support
Curriculum development
Professional learning and educator support
Academic intervention and problem-solving
Family consultation and educational advocacy
Dr. Berner believes that families deserve knowledgeable, compassionate guidance and that every student deserves an educational experience designed to help them thrive.
Claudia Evangelista, M.S.
Education • Youth Mental Health • Student Support • Family & School Consultation
Claudia Evangelista brings together two areas that are deeply connected but too often addressed separately: education and youth mental health.
With more than two decades of experience in elementary and middle school education, Claudia has served as a classroom teacher, instructional support specialist, curriculum developer, mentor, team leader, and student support professional. These experiences have given her a firsthand understanding of the academic, social, emotional, and behavioral challenges students may encounter at school.
Claudia earned her Master of Science in Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health in 2020, expanding her educational expertise with specialized knowledge of the mental health and developmental needs of children and adolescents.
Her work as a Student Staffing Resource Specialist further strengthened her ability to help students and families navigate school-based supports, identify resources, and develop strategies that address the whole child—not simply academic performance.
Claudia's work also extends beyond individual students and families. As a certified Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor, she provides professional learning for educators and school personnel. She has also consulted with mental health organizations and contributed her expertise to the development of youth mental health curriculum and programming.
Areas of Expertise
Youth mental health and wellness
Middle school and adolescent development
Academic and behavioral support
IEP and 504 support
Family consultation and educational advocacy
School-based mental health initiatives
Professional development for educators
Youth Mental Health First Aid
Mental health curriculum and program development
Claudia believes students are most successful when the adults around them understand both how they learn and what they need to feel safe, connected, confident, and capable.
A Collaborative Approach
Families shouldn't have to navigate educational challenges alone.
At Lilac Educational Consulting, we combine educational expertise, mental health knowledge, and real-world school experience to help families better understand their options and determine meaningful next steps.
We don't believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. We listen, collaborate, and develop recommendations based on the individual student, family, or organization we are serving.