About Beacon
Meet Joanna
For 30 years and counting, Joanna Beatty is proud to be a member of the special education community. 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 worked with ages Birth to 26, and collaborated on the development of hundreds (thousands?) of IEPs, IFSPs, 504s, and behavior, transition, and intervention plans.
Joanna specializes in coaching educators on best practices in inclusion, interventions, compliance, and 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 social 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 with a special focus on hosting 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.
Beacon Beliefs About Advocacy
Beacon Believes:
- That families can have a healthy relationship with their child's school team AND disagree with aspects of their child's education plan
- That the role educators play in our communities are crucial and deserving of respect AND that the education system can sometimes present challenges and even unwittingly create trauma and harm for children, families, and staff.
- That special education law and procedures tend to be complex, and conversations about how to apply them for the benefit of each child are a necessary and healthy part of the special education experience
Beacon's approach focuses on relationships and healing, paired with a desire to work toward solutions that bring about real change for children. This approach supports families in navigating 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.
