Who We Are
Millions of disabled children in the United States are failing in public schools, their failure a precursor to unemployment, poverty, substance abuse and prison as adults. Public special education is the only national system that, as mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), legally entitles all students with disabilities to an education that prepares them for adulthood.
Despite the legal mandate, public school districts are woefully underfunded to serve all the failing students in their classrooms. The result: The districts are unable to identify or serve them.
Parents with the financial resources to obtain independent evaluations and legal assistance can force school districts to provide special education to their children, but less fortunate families cannot access a productive education for their failing children. The mission of SEA it to assist organizations who serve the families of children failing in school, with an emphasis on those families without the resources to access clinical and legal professionals to ensure these families’ legal rights under the IDEA are enforced.
SEA staff — with a combined 65 years assisting families with special education needs — help organizations understand the special education sequence, guide them in accessing it effectively and provide the financial support to do so.
Michael Zatopa - Chief Executive Officer
Michael received his B.A. from the University of San Francisco in 1975 and J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, in 1978. He was admitted to the California and federal bars in 1978. From 1979 to 1982, he was a California special education hearing officer. Since entering private practice in San Francisco in 1982, he has represented and assisted thousands of parents of special needs children and adults with developmental disabilities. Mike also has provided legal counsel to many residential treatment facilities, private special education schools and other private social service providers that are funded, licensed or regulated by public agencies.
Mike has lectured at Hastings College of the Law, San Francisco State University and California State University at Fresno. He has served as board president of two nonprofit child welfare organizations and as a board member of the private, independent San Francisco Waldorf School.
Married with two adult sons, Mike enjoys biking, hiking and golfing with his wife and longtime law partner, Ellen Stephens.
Ellen Stephens - Associate Director
Ellen graduated from the University of San Francisco School of Nursing in 1976 with a B.S. in Nursing and a Public Health Certificate. Over the next 10 years, she worked for the University of California San Francisco, the Visiting Nurses Association and St. Mary's Hospital in San Francisco.
Ellen graduated from New College School of Law in San Francisco and was admitted to practice law in California in 1988. For several years she worked as a risk manager in the field of medical and health care risk management, and in 1990 became an associate attorney with the law firm of Glynn & Harvey, specializing in medical malpractice defense.
In 1994, Ellen joined Michael Zatopa as a practicing attorney in the field of special education. They are married and have two adult sons, Alex and Nicholas Zatopa.
Michael Howe - Chief Operating Officer
Michael graduated from the University of San Francisco in 1965. In 1969 he received his ABD in Sociology from the University of California at Davis. Presently he is the COO of SEA and also serves as Senior Associate at Partnership Resources Group, consulting with non-profits on capital fundraising campaigns. Between 2013 and 2018 he was the Executive Director of the RP Group (Research & Planning Group for California Community Colleges). From 2006 to 2013 he served as the Chair of the National Task Force on Community Leadership at the John Gardner Center at Stanford University. Mike was President of the East Bay Community Foundation from 1993 to 2006, and led them through a period of unprecedented growth. His earlier experiences include leadership roles at the Marin Community Foundation (1986 to 1993). Beginning in 1980 to present, Mike founded Howe and Associates. H&A consults with primarily California nonprofits, cities, counties and state governments. Mike joined the University of San Francisco as a Professor of Sociology in 1967 and in 1975 became founding Dean of the College of Professional Studies.
Mike and his wife Linda have enjoyed their life together for well over half a century having raised 2 children, now with 3 grandchildren and 2 great grandsons all of which has made for a most fulfilling life. For pleasure he takes daily hikes with his dog Lucy, and long road and mountain bike rides mainly in Marin and Sonoma counties.
Nick Zatopa - Development Director
Nick graduated from the University of San Francisco in 2018 with a B.A. in Media Studies/Journalism. After working as an automotive journalist and a brief stint in public relations in London, Nick decided to make a career change to commercial real estate.
His experience at Marcus & Millichap and then at Urban Group Real Estate, while educational, left him wanting more fulfillment from his work. Having grown up around the world of special education, Nick brings a variety of experience to his role as development director at Special Education Access.
He is an avid golfer in the summer and skier in the winter. His passion for the automotive world lives on, and he still prides himself on his ability to craft an intriguing article.