Ariel Matz Consulting

Ariel Matz Consulting Welcome to Ariel Matz Consulting!

I’m a special educator, consultant, and community collaborator passionate about helping individuals with disabilities shine in school, at work, and in our communities.☀️🌈 I’m an educator, consultant, and community collaborator passionate about helping individuals with disabilities shine in school, at work, and in our communities. With over 15 years of experience beginning with Teach for America, I’ve served as a special educator, instructional coach, and Equity Lead—leading initiatives that foster inclusive, strengths-based environments. I hold a Bachelor’s degree from Emory University and a Master’s in Special Education from Loyola Marymount University, foundations that have shaped my commitment to meaningful, person-centered education. As a leader in Fairfax County Public Schools, I trained through VCU’s Center on Transition Innovations, deepening my expertise in person-centered planning and supported employment. Today, through Ariel Matz Consulting, I partner with organizations across Pittsburgh to strengthen inclusion practices, design meaningful programs and curricula, and build collaborations that open doors for individuals with disabilities. At the heart of my work is a belief that everyone deserves to feel valued and have meaningful opportunities to grow, contribute, and belong.

Thank you  for helping us raise inclusive kiddos 🖤💛🖤💛
11/04/2025

Thank you for helping us raise inclusive kiddos 🖤💛🖤💛

✨ So excited to walk the walk with friends and family for    Nov 2nd! Every step and every donation directly supports th...
10/26/2025

✨ So excited to walk the walk with friends and family for Nov 2nd!

Every step and every donation directly supports the inclusive programming , , and will offer for all ages and abilities this coming year. 💛

Join The Bunny Babes team or donate to help inclusion thrive in our community! Link below

https://walk4friendship2025.funraise.org/fundraiser/ariel-matz-consulting

Some extra-sweet news (and behind-the-scenes photos!) from my favorite inclusive bakery —  —where inclusion, growth, and...
10/16/2025

Some extra-sweet news (and behind-the-scenes photos!) from my favorite inclusive bakery — —where inclusion, growth, and good coffee meet. 🐰❤️

This year, Bunny Bakes is being recognized as a CLASS Acts Community Hero for creating a supportive, accessible workplace that fosters growth, pride, and belonging.

Each cookie, scone, and seasonal treat represents hours of dedication from trainees, program managers, baristas and job coaches who make this place so special. I am so proud to work with each of you.

I was so honored to be interviewed for the Bunny Bakes 2025 CLASS Acts Community Heroes Awards tribute video as a consultant for the Bunny Bakes Training Program — and to celebrate a community that continues to lead with purpose, creativity, and heart.

Congratulations to the entire Bunny Bakes crew on this incredible recognition — you’ve built more than a bakery; you’ve built a model for what true inclusion looks like!

I just sent out an email about a local nonprofit I really believe in: Open Up. Over the past 10 years, they've built acc...
06/24/2025

I just sent out an email about a local nonprofit I really believe in: Open Up. Over the past 10 years, they've built accessible wellness programming—movement, mindfulness, and true inclusion for people with and without disabilities, together.

They’re facing a funding gap, and I’d love your help spreading the word.

🧡 Read more and get the link to support here:

I want to tell you about a local nonprofit I truly believe in: Open Up—a movement program that weaves together yoga, dance, breathwork, and improv to make mindfulness and connection accessible for people with and without disabilities, together.

I’m excited to share a project close to my heart: I’m partnering with  to launch an employment initiative for adults wit...
05/20/2025

I’m excited to share a project close to my heart: I’m partnering with to launch an employment initiative for adults with disabilities!

This effort focuses on creating inclusive, person-centered opportunities—helping adults build job skills, discover their strengths, and contribute in ways that truly matter.

What makes it even more special? The JCC isn’t just where my kids go to preschool or where we swim and dance—it’s also where I had some of my earliest inclusive experiences as a preschooler, camper, and counselor at Truly a full circle moment.

Grateful for this opportunity and our community. ❤️

I’m so excited to celebrate with The Friendship Circle of Pittsburgh this Sunday at Friends All Around 2025!What inspire...
05/15/2025

I’m so excited to celebrate with The Friendship Circle of Pittsburgh this Sunday at Friends All Around 2025!

What inspires me most about the Friendship Circle is how they've grown alongside the people they serve. As their young participants became teens and then adults, the organization kept evolving—opening the Beacon (truly the most peaceful spot in Pittsburgh!) and launching Bunny Bakes , a beloved bakery that both trains and employs adults with disabilities.

If you’re able, please consider donating to help keep this meaningful work going, or come find me this Sunday at the gala!

👉 https://one.bidpal.net/faa2025/welcome

So proud to support and partner with FC 💙

 

From cozy moments at home to catching up with family, friends, and colleagues who fill our lives with so much love and m...
01/02/2025

From cozy moments at home to catching up with family, friends, and colleagues who fill our lives with so much love and meaning, I am stepping into the new year full of gratitude and hope.

Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year! (Yes, I’m a day late— 😜). Looking forward to a 2025 filled with joy, growth, and meaningful connections and opportunities for us all. 💙

#2025

Last update for 2024! Happy everything!
12/23/2024

Last update for 2024! Happy everything!

This year has been incredible! I partnered with Bunny Bakes to develop their supported employment program, launched Inclusive Spaces to support organizations in creating empowering environments, and delivered workshops that made a difference for families, educators, and communities. Most importantly...

Knowing my work is helping organizations grow and create inclusive opportunities means the world to me! This thoughtful ...
12/23/2024

Knowing my work is helping organizations grow and create inclusive opportunities means the world to me! This thoughtful testimonial from is such a meaningful reminder of why I do what I do. 💕

As we head into the holiday break, I want to thank all of you for your support and belief in the power of inclusion. Wishing you a joyful season filled with love, laughter, and maybe even a little rest!

Sharing updated partnerships, services and resources in today’s newsletter! 💙
12/18/2024

Sharing updated partnerships, services and resources in today’s newsletter! 💙

This past year has been a journey full of growth and connection at Ariel Matz Consulting. I’ve had the privilege of working alongside families, educators, and organizations to create inclusive opportunities and empower differently abled individuals.

True to my word—this post is not Pinterest-worthy. But it’s practical and highlights one of my favorite tools: visual ex...
12/12/2024

True to my word—this post is not Pinterest-worthy. But it’s practical and highlights one of my favorite tools: visual expectations! Research shows that explicitly taught and regularly reviewed expectations help us stay focused and build prosocial behaviors.

Turning expectations into something you can see makes a huge impact. But here’s the thing: just slapping some visuals on the wall and calling it a day won’t cut it (guilty as charged 🙋‍♀️🙈). They really start working when you use them intentionally and consistently.

And visuals don’t have to be printed or fancy! Environmental cues—like arrows pointing the way, color-coded bins, or even blocking off a space with chairs (see pic 3!)—can be just as effective for communicating expectations.

If printed visuals are your jam, I’ve got you covered! I’m so excited to share new resources on my website to help you bring visual expectations to life. 😊

Thanks for checking it out! 👉 https://www.arielmatzconsulting.com/resources

I recently had the pleasure of leading a Boundaries workshop  , where we explored how to categorize relationships and ou...
12/09/2024

I recently had the pleasure of leading a Boundaries workshop , where we explored how to categorize relationships and our actions based on trust and boundaries. The participants and outcomes were awesome 👏

I’m excited to share that this activity—and more resources for families and educators—are now up on my website! Take a look at arielmatzconsulting.com/resources (link in bio!), and while you’re there, sign up for my newsletter to get free resources straight to your inbox. I’d love to hear what you think! 💖✨

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6327 Burchfield Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA
15217

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