Meet the Team

Kristen Flannery, M.Ed.

Founder, CEO & Lead Educational Advocate

Kristen Flannery is the Founder, CEO, and Lead Educational Advocate of L&F Educational Associates, LLC. She is a professionally licensed special education educator in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, certified in Special Education (PreK–12) and Elementary Education (Grades 1–6).

Kristen spent over a decade working within the public education system as a special educator before transitioning into an educational leadership role focused on academic access and social-emotional equity for all students. Through this work, she developed a deep understanding of both classroom-level instruction and the broader systems that shape special education services and decision-making.

In 2022, Kristen founded L&F Educational Associates to expand her impact beyond individual classrooms and provide deeper, more comprehensive support to children, families, and school districts. Her work bridges advocacy and systems-level consulting, supporting families in navigating complex special education processes while also partnering with districts to strengthen practices, build staff capacity, and improve outcomes for students.

Kristen brings a thoughtful, solutions-oriented approach to both advocacy and consulting. Throughout her career, she has successfully supported families in resolving disputes, clarifying services and placements, and ensuring students receive the educational supports necessary to make meaningful progress. Her work is grounded in collaboration, preparation, and a commitment to equity—so that all students have the opportunity to access an education that meets their needs.

Caitlin Szoch, M.Ed.

Administrative Assistant & Operations Coordinator

Caitlin Szoch, M.Ed. serves as the Administrative Assistant and Operations Coordinator at L&F Educational Associates, LLC, where she plays a key role in supporting advocacy services, client communication, and organizational operations. Caitlin holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Master of Science in Special Education from Bridgewater State University.

Caitlin brings twelve years of professional experience in public education, including work in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Virginia, as well as within a Department of Defense school overseas. Her background includes supporting students with disabilities across a range of educational settings, with a strong foundation in special education systems, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and collaborative team-based practices. In addition, Caitlin has experience providing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services to children and families in home-based settings.

In her role at L&F Educational Associates, Caitlin supports client coordination, document and case management, scheduling, grant and funding pipeline support, and daily operational functions that allow the advocacy team to work efficiently and responsively. She is deeply committed to ensuring families receive organized, timely, and compassionate support while navigating complex educational systems, and she shares the firm’s mission of promoting inclusive, student-centered learning environments that allow every child to succeed.