Empowering Inclusion: Kari Kester's Story of Support and Success with OptimALL Services

At OptimALL Services, we believe that every child deserves an educational environment where they can thrive, regardless of their unique needs. Our mission is to foster inclusive learning in faith-based  and private schools through specialized interventions, teacher support, and scholarship administration. 

We’re honored to share the heartfelt story of Kari Kester, a dedicated parent whose son, Ryan, has flourished with the help of OptimALL's tailored services.

Kari chose Children's Meeting House Montessori School for Ryan because she knew it would provide the nurturing, hands-on learning environment he needed. 

"We started with Ryan at his school in preschool because we felt that that really was gonna be the best learning environment for him," Kari said recently. From the outset, the school's leadership and teachers were open to welcoming Ryan and committed to finding ways to support him.

As Ryan progressed, the need for additional in-class assistance became clear. By first grade, Kari and her family were searching for ways to help Ryan with the increasing academic expectations. That’s when they found OptimALL Services. 

"Optimal was really the one that would best be able to provide the service that Ryan needed at his school," she said.

OptimALL stepped in seamlessly, providing a paraprofessional and an intervention specialist who visits daily. This setup has been transformative, allowing Ryan to remain in his preferred school while receiving the one-on-one guidance he requires.

One of the most rewarding aspects of OptimALL's model is its emphasis on true inclusion. Kari notes how Ryan's paraprofessional, Molly, not only supports Ryan but enriches the entire classroom.

"She's there for Ryan, but she's there for the whole class. All of those other kids see her as one of their teachers as well," Kari said. 

Parents of Ryan's classmates have also approached this arrangement with enthusiasm.

"We've had so many parents approach us and be like, we love that we have such a diverse classroom, and that their students have the experience to be in class with Ryan,” she said. 

This inclusive approach benefits everyone. It fosters empathy, diversity, and a stronger learning community aligned with the values of faith-based education. OptimALL’s support has also empowered Kari as an advocate for her son. 

"To have somebody come alongside us and advocate for Ryan with his teachers is huge," she said."They even know more than we do sometimes. That's their expertise, and for them to advocate and say, 'This is how we're gonna get Ryan to the next step,' is huge."

School choice is a cornerstone of Ohio's educational landscape, and OptimALL thrives in this environment by enabling families to keep children in the settings that suit them best. For the Kesters, this meant not only keeping Ryan in his ideal school but also uniting him with his older brother, Andrew, who later joined the same institution. 

"Having them at the same school and really having that community together has been really special," Kari said. Without the disruption of multiple calendars and drop-offs, families like theirs can focus on what matters most: their children's success.

Looking ahead, Kari is passionate about spreading awareness of OptimALL and all it offers.

 "I would want other parents who have kids with disabilities to know that they have options, to know that there is a way for their child to be supported at the school where they want their child to be,” she said. 

Ryan's journey underscores OptimALL's impact: exceptional students, exceptional services, and exceptional success. As Kari sums it up, "Optimal ensures that Ryan can be in the learning environment that is best for him... and what he's learned has been incredible because of that combined commitment between the school and OptimALL."