About Beacon
Meet Joanna
Joanna Beatty is proud to be a member of the special education community, a place she found herself calling home beginning 30 years ago. Starting her career as a preschool teacher assistant, Joanna quickly moved into the world of early childhood special education, working as a paraprofessional while studying to become a school psychologist. In her decades as a school psychologist, Joanna has worked with children ages Birth to 26, and has collaborated on the development of hundreds (thousands?) of IEPs, IFSPs, 504s, behavior plans, transition plans, and intervention plans.
Joanna has specialized in coaching educators in inclusion, literacy, interventions, compliance, and best practices in evaluation, as well as coaching families of children with disabilities. She earned her Domestic Relations Mediation Training Certificate through Oakland Mediation Center and has employed mediation skills throughout every aspect of her career. Her favorite role as a school psychologist has been that of early interventionist, and she is proud to hold the Early Childhood Family Specialist endorsement from the Michigan Association of Infant Mental Health. Joanna approaches her work with a strong sense of justice, a reverence for individuality among learners, and the belief that families are the experts on their own children.
Joanna and her family recently built Acorn Family Retreats, a vacation rental on Lake Huron in Tawas City, Michigan that hosts educators and their families. When not "special educating" or cleaning Acorn House for the next guest, Joanna can be found walking in the woods, reading with her dog, or resting by the water.
We Believe
We believe that childhood is a time of wonder and natural pursuit of knowledge. We believe that schooling (however that looks) is a sacred part of growing up in a healthy community, and that the meaningful role of educators is deserving of respect. We believe that the education system can sometimes present challenges and even unwittingly create trauma for children, families, and staff. We believe in focusing on relationships and healing, paired with a desire to work toward solutions that bring about real change for children. We believe in working together to navigate the education system and elevating the learning of all adults involved in the process.
Why Otters?
Beacon's patron animal is the otter. Known for more than just their agility and curiosity, otters' association with water means they are often seen as symbols of healing and comfort. Otters remind us of the strength that comes from community, as they are known to "hold hands" for protection while they rest, to collaborate when hunting, and to communicate through a system of vocalizations and scents. They form family groups that work together to raise their pups, with much time spent playing and exploring their surroundings. Otters' excellent building skills and use of rocks as tools to help them access what they need in their environment highlight their resourcefulness and adaptability.
Like the otter, Beacon's mission is to provide support for those navigating the often challenging system of education, with an approach that emphasizes healing, interconnectedness, and a mindset of discovery.
