Who We Are
Dr. Leslie Strasser Congrove
Owner
Dr. Leslie Strasser Congrove (formerly Leslie Strasser Murdock) is the Owner of the ELM Educational Consulting LLC (ELM). She has been involved in the educational field or over 25 years and specializes in education law, educational advocacy, and special education. Dr.works with children, families, schools and community members to collaborate on maximizing children’s educational success. Dr. Strasser Murdock also serves as the Educational Liaison for the Clark County Department of Family Services where she supports over 1,500 children in foster care. Dr. Strasser Congrove is an adjunct professor at the University of Nevada where she teaches educational psychology, advocacy and law courses. She serves on advisory community partnership boards and advises several entities including the Nevada Department of Education, Department of Juvenile Justice Services, The City of Las Vegas, and The Clark County School District. Dr. Strasser Congrove is a Senior Fellow to the Guinn Center for Public Priorities and was a member of the Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Las Vegas Class. Before opening her practice, she worked for several years at the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada in the Special Education Program and at UNLV’s Kids Court School. Dr. Strasser Congrove obtained a PhD in Educational Psychology and a JD in Law at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, a Masters of Arts in Learning Disabilities from Teachers College at Columbia University, and a BA in Sociology and Elementary Teaching Certification from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Prior to moving to Las Vegas, she was an elementary school teacher and the Director of Education of the Holocaust Center for Humanity in Seattle, WA. Her areas of specialty include Special Education Advocacy, Education Law, Effective Parent School Communication, Behavioral Support for Struggling Students, Inclusionary Practices, and Understanding Disciplinary Proceedings. Dr. Strasser Congrove has 4 children who all have different learning styles, all have unique talents, and all are in different types of schools that work best for them. When she isn't working, Dr. Strasser Congrove enjoys spending time with her husband and 4 children, travelling, reading, and exercising.
Marti Ford
Family/Child Advocate
For more than 25 years, Marti Ford has been a tireless advocate for her son and many other children who have disabilities. She was the founding president of the Northwest Region Community Educational Advisory Board, she serves on the Award Selection Committee for Nevada Partnership for Inclusive Education and she is the co-author of Sparky’s Excellent Misadventures (My ADD Journal), published by the American Psychological Association’s Magination Press. Marti was presented with the first ever Founder’s Award from The National Inclusion Project and she won the Volunteer Surrogate Award from the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada for her work with foster children. ELM LLC is excited to have Ms. Ford as our family/child advocate. She has worked closely with Dr. Murdock for many years.