Student success is a shared responsibility.
The retention of highly qualified teachers, especially special education teachers, remains a pressing challenge nationwide. This has a direct impact on instruction, student outcomes, and the school community as a whole.
Special education teachers often leave due to isolation, feeling undervalued for their expertise, heavy workloads, and limited support. These challenges cannot be effectively addressed through one-off programs or initiatives alone, they require intentional, system-wide changes that center the voices and experiences of both educators and students.
I believe when leaders invest in inclusive, collaborative school cultures and design structures that prepare and support all educators to teach students with diverse learning needs, the impact extends beyond stronger special education programs. It creates a school system where every educator is empowered, and every student benefits from meaningful, responsive learning experiences.
Through my work, I’ve seen firsthand how research-based practices and innovative approaches are transforming schools across the country. I would love to partner with you to create lasting, positive change for your school community.
In partnership,
Jennifer Iacovino
OUr Approach
Purpose
Practice
Purpose
We partner with leaders to create inclusive, collaborative systems where every educator feels valued, prepared, and supported, so that EVERY student receives the high-quality instruction they deserve.
People
Practice
Purpose
We take a systems-level approach using human-centered change leadership to uncover the root causes of why change initiatives and compelling visions fail to take hold. Through a compassionate, relational lens, we help teams build collective agency and efficacy, aligning people, practices, and purpose to create sustainable, meaningful change.
Practice
Practice
Practice
We bring deep knowledge of special education and education research, leveraging research-based practices and proven frameworks to strengthen instruction, support teachers, and improve outcomes for all students. Our approach ensures that every leadership move is informed by evidence and tailored to meet the unique needs of educators and learners across the system.
OuR Services
Strategic Professional Learning Design & Facilitation
We design and facilitate customized professional learning experiences aligned to district strategic plans, induction goals, and the real needs of educators. Sessions are grounded in adult learning theory, education research, and practical application, ensuring learning experiences translate into classroom practice and system-wide improvement.
Leadership Consultation & People-Centered Change Management
We work with district and educational leaders to plan, implement, and sustain initiatives that last. With backgrounds in implementing large scale change efforts and Federal Research Grants, we support leaders in improving programming, aligning efforts across departments, building cohesive structures that support all teachers and reducing initiative fatigue.
Pre-Service, Teacher Induction & Mentoring Systems
We support educational institutions in strengthening the relationship between colleges of education and P-12 Districts. We work together to design and strengthen the pre-service and induction programming for aspiring and early career teachers, including those entering through alternative certification pathways. Services focus on building tiered, responsive systems of support across organizations that improve teacher capacity, affirm professional identity, and increase retention particularly in hard to staff positions.
Job-Embedded Coaching & Mentorship
We provide individualized, job-embedded coaching and mentoring for teachers at all stages of their careers, with a particular focus on special education. Coaching is grounded in the High-Leverage Practices (HLPs) and supports teachers in translating IEPs into effective instruction, implementing evidence-based practices, data collection and designing inclusive learning environments. We also support educators in high-quality transition planning, ensuring post-secondary goals are instructionally aligned, person-centered, and meaningfully connected to coursework, skill development, and adult outcomes.
What Educators and Leaders are saying
MN Special Education Induction Program Leaders Network
"I do not have a special education background and will be mentoring three new special education teachers this year, two are completing their coursework for licensure while teaching. The mentor’s breakout session helped me with what to focus on starting Day 1 and I feel more confident about mentoring our new special education teachers!”
-MN Instructional Mentor (July, 2025)
“It was practical, engaging, and directly applicable to our district’s needs. I am leaving this first session with a much deeper understanding of what our special education teachers do and how to support them.”
-MN School Leader (July, 2025)
Paraeducator Series: Building Strong Collaborative Partnerships on Educational Teams
“I love what I do. I love the kids I work with. I do this job for them. All the training I have ever been given is about how to restrain them, never how to teach them. Thank you for giving me, us, the knowledge and resources to work with students in proactive and meaningful ways. I was thinking of not coming back this year and now I feel reinvigorated.”
-Fresno Unified Special Education Paraeducator (August, 2025)
Systems-Level Strategic Planning Across Districts
"Through this district-wide approach to strategic planning, we were able to focus our efforts, have honest and sometimes tough conversations, and work collaboratively. We’ve seen referrals decrease, student well-being improve, and staff perception of school culture grow stronger. This is something I feel confident we can continue to lead on our own moving forward."
-MN School Superintendent (May 2025)
Our Partners
