📚 Building early reading skills! Using her “reader finger,” this student tracks print left to right and practices concept of word.
about 1 month ago, Jaime Oppenlander
Student point to text in a book. Adult sitting next to her holding the book.

"I like being in the community to increase my socialization." -Rebekah

about 1 month ago, STEP Student Spotlight
Three individuals scale an indoor rock climbing wall from behind, using various colored handholds above a padded black floor.

Learners are leveling up their culinary game in the Torch 180 kitchen! This week was all about the essentials: mastering knife skills and learning why precision measuring is the secret sauce to any great recipe.

It takes focus, steady hands, and a lot of practice, but these three are absolutely crushing it. Torch 180, working on knife skills and measuring.

about 1 month ago, Pleasanna Carter
Person stirring food in a bowl in a commercial kitchen
People standing around a table preparing food
Learners tackle the Marshmallow Challenge—communicating, sharing ideas, and using teamwork to build together. Great problem-solving in action!
about 1 month ago, Dennette Kreutzkamp
A close up of hands around a table building with spaghetti noodles and marshmellos.
A group of young adult learners building with spaghetti and marshmellos.
Two young adults building with spaghetti and marshmellos.
A teacher and a young adult learner building with spaghetti noodles and marshmellos.
Amy Baad, LESA AI Consultant, works with Early Childhood Special Education staff to develop interaction strategies for our learners using AI.
about 1 month ago, Merribeth Tognetti
Conference room with many people sitting around a large table
Sharing stories and building early literacy skills, one page at a time!
about 1 month ago, Erin Niehaus
Teacher and preschool child lying on the classroom carpet reading a colorful board book together near a bookshelf.
Communication in AACtion! These students now have a way to communicate while they are on the move at school.
about 1 month ago, Megan Makowski
Student with a walker and AAC device mounted on the walker is walking down the hallway with a teacher.
Overhead image of a student on a bike with AAC mounted on the handlebars.
Having the service dog visit made my day today!!
about 1 month ago, Project SEARCH Student Spotlight
An indoor, eye-level shot captures six people and a dog in a small room. In the back row, four people are standing from left to right: a woman with shoulder-length dark brown hair wearing a gray polo and black pants; a person with short brown hair wearing headphones, a gray polo, and a black jacket; a woman with long dark brown hair and glasses wearing a gray sweatshirt; and a man with short brown hair wearing a gray polo and light gray pants. In the front row, two people are kneeling on the patterned tan carpet: a woman on the left with long brown hair and glasses wearing a gray T-shirt and black pants, and a woman on the right with long dark brown hair and glasses wearing a floral print blouse and black pants. Between them sits a yellow Labrador Retriever wearing a rainbow-colored ruffled collar. The woman in the front row on the left has her hand on the dog's head. The woman in the back row with the sweatshirt holds the dog's red leash. The wall on the left is light blue, and the wall in the back is light gray. A light brown wooden door is on the right. Everyone in the group is smiling.
Our communication devices help us talk to each other, our friends and to ask for help.
about 1 month ago, PREP Perspectives
A young male and female are standing and holding their IPad's.

I had the best time job shadowing Carie Cowger, Director of Special Education at Pinckney Schools! Even though a "typical" day for a Director is anything but typical, Carie gave me an amazing look at what it takes to lead such a dedicated team.

It was inspiring to see how she empowers her teachers and staff to be leaders themselves. We had some great conversations about the challenges we both face and the strategies she's used to overcome them over the years. Huge thanks to Carie for such a rewarding day!

Go Pirates!

about 1 month ago, Pleasanna Carter
Two women are collaborating at a curved, light-colored wooden desk in a professional office setting. They are both smiling warmly at each other, creating an atmosphere of positive teamwork.
Two women stand side-by-side in the center of an office, smiling at the camera. They are dressed in professional attire and wearing identification lanyards. The background shows their workspace, including desks, a bookshelf, and a filing cabinet.
Fueled by luck, laughter, and a whole lot of heart, Hartland bus drivers roll out the green carpet daily! Today we add a dash of Irish cheer. Happy St. Patty’s Day! 🍀🚌
about 1 month ago, Erin Wiles - Hartland Transportation
People in green making funny faces
Did you know that over 65 students in grades 9 and 10 went to Lake Trust Credit Union Headquarters last week to learn about careers in Business and IT? Our very own Mark Rogers was a featured presenter at this event, and, in his usual rock star fashion, made learning about his career in IT fun and educational!
about 1 month ago, Laura Saline
Student listening to HR presentation
Students learn about careers in HR
Heidi Danpullo presents to students about CTE Program options
Students enjoy lunch at Lake Trust
Students practice budgeting for a business
Mark Rogers presents to students about his career in IT.
event space at Lake Trust
✏️ Journal time! This student chooses his topic and writing utensil, building confidence and independence through free writing.
about 1 month ago, Jaime Oppenlander
Student is writing in a notebook with a marker.
Our pot of GOLD runs over because of our drivers! We are Leprechaun Lucky here in Brighton!
about 1 month ago, Tracy Oginski - Brighton Transportation
Crafted rainbow with a pot of gold at the end
Family photos in the classroom help preschoolers stay connected to the people who matter most to them. Children often visit this space to share stories, build language, and feel a sense of belonging between home and school!
about 1 month ago, Kelsey Mickus
Three preschool children look at and hold family photos displayed on a classroom wall.
Students are hitting the gym for Adaptive Hockey! 🏒 Building skills, confidence, teamwork, and having a blast along the way. So proud of their determination and sportsmanship! #AdaptiveSports #StudentSuccess
about 1 month ago, Tegan Roobol
Student playing hockey
picture of hockey visual
staff helping a student play hockey

MTSA 2026 Spotlight: Communication is the cornerstone of the workplace, but it's often more complex than it seems. At the MTSA Conference, LESA’s own Melissa Woerner (Speech Pathologist) and Charlotte Martin (Work-Study Coordinator) shared their expertise on this vital topic.

Their session dove deep into the critical components of communication, including:

Receptive & Expressive Language: Understanding and being understood.

Pragmatics: Navigating the "unspoken rules" of social interaction.

Executive Functioning: Managing time, tasks, and focus.

Melissa and Charlotte provided invaluable insights into identifying workplace challenges and, more importantly, shared proven strategies and accommodations to help students thrive in their communities.

about 1 month ago, Pleasanna Carter
Two ladies standing near a screen that says Communication in the workplace and community

Hands in the soil! Learners volunteer at a local nursery, filling pots and planting seeds and plugs while building valuable work skills.

about 1 month ago, Dennette Kreutzkamp
Teachers and young adults learning about jobs in a nursery.
Adults moving flower pots to growing tables.
Teacaher and young adult filling floer pots with soil.
Young adult male planting flower starts.

MTSA 2026 Spotlight: In the world of transition services, data is everything—but collecting it shouldn't take all day. At the MTSA Conference, LESA Job Coaches Amanda Hammond and Sarah Harvey shared their expertise on leveraging Google Forms to revolutionize efficiency.

Their session provided attendees with a "starter kit" of ready-to-implement strategies for:

IEP Goal Documentation: Streamlining progress monitoring.

Work-Based Learning (WBL) Data: Capturing real-time insights from the field.

Behavioral Data Collection: Making tracking simple and consistent.

Personal Accountability: Using digital tools to stay organized and effective.

Amanda and Sarah didn’t just talk about the "why"—they gave fellow educators the "how" by providing tools they can use on Monday morning. Way to lead the way in digital innovation, team!

about 1 month ago, Pleasanna Carter
lady with glasses smiling looking at the camera
Two ladies standing new a screen that says the paperless path
Shannon Shy, Marisa Tew and Beth Tosto - Behavior Consultants for LESA facilitate a meeting focused on Positive Behavior Support Plans to help staff with challenging behaviors and teaching of new skills.
about 1 month ago, Merribeth Tognetti
Three ladies pose for a photo