Professional Spotlight: Meet Marya Sherron

BY CHRISTINA MCGAIRK: EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

For nearly four years, Marya Sherron has been a powerful force in Indiana’s disability and exceptional needs community. What began as a personal journey of parenting two neurodivergent sons evolved into a missiondriven life of advocacy, education and empowerment.

As an educator by profession, Sherron instinctively turned to teaching—not just in the classroom, but in the community. Her work spans caregiver support, public training, authorship, and activism. She leads multiple support groups, facilitates quarterly workshops, and serves as the Program Coordinator for Ausome Indy’s “Moms Mentoring Moms” initiative. Most notably, she developed the Safe Parks Plus Initiative in Noblesville, leading to the installation of fencing in public parks to make them safer for children with wandering tendencies.

“I don’t know if the work I’m doing is impactful,” Sherron said humbly. “But I keep building. I keep teaching. I keep listening. I keep saying yes.”

Her inspiration is deeply personal. Sherron’s two sons, now 24 and 14, have taught her more than any classroom ever could. “Learning to parent with compassion and flexibility was the best training one could ask for,” she said. “I’ve learned to shift my perspective, walk in gratitude, and do as much as I can to empower others.”

Her advice to those walking a similar path? “Listen. Seek to understand. Don’t try to fix. Don’t express pity. Ask how you can be supportive—then listen some more. Then act.”

While her work began with a focus on caregivers, it quickly expanded. She saw how families were struggling— not just the parents, but siblings, grandparents, entire support systems. “The divorce rate in our community is nearly 80%,” she explained. “Families are hurting. My favorite moments are when we gather as mothers and caregivers and remind each other we’re not alone.”

When asked about favorite memories, Sherron didn’t hesitate. She spoke of marriages mended through mutual vulnerability, of a child’s first word at age six, of quiet signs of love—like a brother wearing autism puzzle socks for the first

time. “My wonderful stories,” she said, “are the wonderful souls I’ve met on this journey.

Her biggest challenge remains widespread misinformation and a lack of education. “From classrooms to lawmakers, too many simply don’t know,” she said. “So, I teach. I truly believe that when people know better, they do better.”

At home, Sherron finds strength in her family. Her husband, David, is her partner in every sense. “We’ve had our challenges,” she said, “but we never quit.” Their sons continue to inspire them daily—one is a creative photographer managing ADHD with strength and insight; the other, a freshman and gifted writer with a quick sense of humor.

When asked what she would say to someone who wants to make a difference, Sherron offered a simple call to action: “Start by starting. Do something—anything. Join a group. Start a group. Trust that once you take that first step, the next one will appear.”

Follow Marya Sherron at @KI.productions928 to learn more about her work and upcoming projects.