Meet Toshia Bartley: Advocate with Insight and Heart

With years as an educator and principal, Toshia Bartley guides families through IEP and 504 processes using her insider knowledge and compassionate approach. Bartley Advocacy helps parents understand their rights, prepare for meetings, and collaborate with schools to secure tailored support for their children’s unique learning needs.

A Unique Perspective on Special Education

Toshia Bartley, M.Ed.


Toshia Bartley is an accomplished educational leader with over 20 years of experience championing equity, innovation, and systemic improvement in K-12 education, with a particular focus on inclusive practices and support for students with diverse learning needs. Currently serving as an MTSS High School Coach at California Virtual Academy, Toshia specializes in implementing multi-tiered systems of support, coaching teacher teams on data-driven decision-making, and facilitating research-based interventions that ensure every student—including those with disabilities and special education needs—receives the differentiated support they need to succeed.


Leadership Journey


Toshia's leadership career spans classroom instruction, site administration, and district-level program development. She has served as Principal at both Dehesa School District and Naranca Elementary School (Cajon Valley Union School District), where she cultivated cultures of collaboration and continuous improvement. As Assistant Principal at Valhalla High School and Hillsdale Middle School, she developed expertise in supporting diverse student populations and building capacity among staff through professional learning communities.


Her work as a District Program Facilitator and Positive Behavior Intervention Coach reflects her deep commitment to systemic change through frameworks like MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support) and PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports). Throughout her career, Toshia has been a passionate advocate for inclusive education, working to dismantle barriers for students with disabilities and ensuring that special education services are seamlessly integrated into general education settings. Beginning her career as a classroom teacher and Master Teacher in Cajon Valley Unified School District, Toshia has maintained an unwavering focus on instructional excellence, differentiated instruction, and student-centered practices that honor each learner's unique strengths and needs.

Educational Background


Toshia holds a Master of Education in Educational Leadership & Administration and an Administrative Credential from Jones International University. She earned her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with a Social Science Emphasis from San Diego State University, establishing a strong foundation in pedagogy and child development.


A Personal Journey


Toshia's passion for special education advocacy is deeply personal. As a student who received special education services through an IEP, she understands firsthand the challenges and triumphs that come with navigating the educational system as a learner with diverse needs. This lived experience fuels her commitment to ensuring that every student with an IEP receives not just services, but genuine opportunities to reach their full potential.

Beyond her professional life, Toshia has been married to her high school sweetheart for 20 years, and together they are proud parents to a son and daughter. Her family keeps her grounded and reminds her daily why the work of creating inclusive, equitable schools matters because every child deserves to be seen, valued, and supported in their educational journey.


Commitment to Equity and Community


At the heart of Toshia's work is a steadfast commitment to equity, diversity, and community engagement, particularly as it relates to ensuring students with disabilities receive equitable access to high-quality education. She believes in fostering authentic partnerships among schools, families, and communities that honor diverse perspectives and create pathways for all students including those with IEPs and 504 plans to thrive in the least restrictive environment. Through strategic planning, culturally responsive practices, Universal Design for Learning, and evidence-based frameworks, Toshia works to build sustainable systems that promote equitable access and empower families as informed partners in their children's education.

Her advocacy is driven by the belief that every student, regardless of ability or disability, deserves high-quality, culturally responsive education that supports their academic, social, and emotional development. By championing inclusive practices, strengthening special education support systems, and cultivating environments where all learners belong, Toshia continues to advance educational equity for students with diverse learning needs across San Diego County and beyond.

What Families Say About Bartley Advocacy

Toshia’s guidance transformed our IEP meetings from overwhelming to manageable. Her insight helped us secure the right support for our son.
Maria and James L.
3 months ago
Thanks to Toshia, we finally understood the 504 plan process. Her calm approach made us feel heard and confident throughout.
Angela R.
2 months ago
Toshia’s experience as a principal shows. She anticipates school concerns and helps us prepare responses that keep our daughter’s needs front and center.
David K.
1 month ago
Her advocacy style is collaborative, not confrontational. We felt like partners with the school, not adversaries.
Samantha W.
4 weeks ago
Toshia’s support gave us clarity and confidence to navigate complex meetings. She breaks down jargon into clear steps.
Mark and Lisa T.

3 months ago

We appreciated how Toshia listens deeply and respects our family’s unique story. Her empathy made all the difference.
Nina P.
6 weeks ago
Her insider knowledge of school systems helped us avoid common pitfalls and advocate effectively for our child’s accommodations.
Carlos M.
2 months ago
Toshia’s presence at meetings eased our anxiety. She ensures our child’s voice is heard and respected every step of the way.
Emily S.
3 weeks ago

Get in Touch with Bartley Advocacy

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(619) 606-3751