The Accessible IEP

05/21/2026

There is still time to prepare for next year. If you have a child or student going into a new building, classroom, or teacher, now is the time to prepare....and it doesn't have to take long.

Take 3 simple steps to reduce the anxiety of everyone involved.

Your summer will be more enjoyable, and fall will be easier to start.

05/19/2026

If you don’t know the face behind The Accessible IEP, let me introduce myself.

I’m a newly retired Special Educator with nearly 30 years of experience. I taught in Ohio, Michigan, Tennessee, Arizona, Iowa, and now call South Dakota home.

Over those years, I taught nearly every grade level and worked across all 13 disability categories recognized by IDEA.

In my final years in the classroom, I became deeply interested in how AI could responsibly support students with disabilities—and just as importantly, support the educators serving them.

Today, I provide professional development on AI in Special Education and how it can be used thoughtfully to help both staff and students.

Let me be clear: AI is not a replacement for educators. It never will be.

We are the experts. We know our students. We understand the nuance, the relationships, the heart work that no technology can replace.

But after nearly three decades in special education, I also know this: the paperwork burden is crushing.

Special educators are overwhelmed by documentation, compliance demands, and the constant pressure to do more with less time.

That’s the “why” behind IEPath Navigator.

I created it to help reduce the burden of IEP paperwork, support compliance, and give educators back something they desperately deserve: time.

Time to collaborate.
Time to think.
Time to connect with students.
Time to focus on why most of us entered this field in the first place—to make a difference in the lives of children.

Because when educators are less overwhelmed, students benefit too.

💙 Today, I’m beginning the search for a small group of beta testers to help shape what this can become.

Drop "BETA" in the comments, and I'll reach out.

05/18/2026

📣 WE NEED YOUR INPUT! 📣

We Rock The Spectrum Sioux Falls is exploring the possibility of starting an After School Program beginning in August 2026 💙

Before we move forward, we’d love to hear from YOU!

If this is something your family may be interested in, please take a few minutes to fill out our JotForm so we can better understand your needs, scheduling preferences, and interest level 🙌

👉 Fill out the form here: https://www.jotform.com/form/261285876201055

Thank you for helping us continue to grow and serve Sioux Falls families 💙

05/18/2026

☀️Introducing the New Directions SUMMER PLAY SERIES! ☀

We’re excited to create more opportunities for our families to connect, play, and build community this summer!

Join us May through August for relaxed, fun-filled playdates where kiddos can play and parents/caregivers can connect with others who just “get it.” Whether you come once or every time, we’d love to see you there!

🛝 SUMMER PLAY SERIES
📍Jacobson Plaza, Sioux Falls
📅 Every 3rd Tuesday + Saturday @ 10:00 am

More details + locations will be shared in each event post. We can’t wait for a summer full of connection and play!

05/18/2026

Hello families and followers. We have a request! Could you share this graphic and statement (or write your own) on your personal pages tomorrow? We have big plans to help more families and we could use your help to make it happen! Thank you!

This International Families Day I'm thinking about the incredible group of families I've met through Families Finding Joy and the community we've built together. Over the last year we've bonded over dinners, gone to private movie screenings, enjoyed visits to the zoo, and more. Your donation today will help us continue to offer those families community, connection and joy: https://www.familiesfindingjoy.org/donate

05/18/2026

05/18/2026

For many, it's been a long journey this school year. For some, that's true every year.

It's May. Let's celebrate!

As the year comes to a close, look back at the wins! Sure, giant leaps are great, but not something that can be counted on.

But, those small steps.....make such a big difference!

Take a minute to find a small win, share it & encourage others.

It can make ALL the difference!

05/14/2026

It's May, and for many, it's IEP season. This can be stressful for all IEP team members. But, working together, asking questions, and remembering it's about the success of the whole student makes all the difference!

05/12/2026

We are looking for a horse to lease for our summer session for therapeutic riding! Due to higher client numbers, we are in desperate need of a unicorn horse to take on five of our clients for summer! Summer session dates are June 8 - August 6, but due to our therapy specific training, we would need the horse on property by May 15th to prepare for summer sessions. Sessions are typically 45 minutes long, with 30 minutes of riding done mostly at a walk. Our horses have 24/7 access to hay, rotation onto pasture according to each horse’s needs, daily grain availability in mornings if needed.

Here is the criteria for the perfect horse!

- Within 2 hours of Sioux Falls

- 8-20 years old

- 15.2-17hh (stockier build preferred)

- Limited maintenance preferred

- Comfortable with loud noises and unexpected movement

- Comfortable with weight shift in the saddle (example, rider leaning down to touch toes)

- Sound at walk and trot

- Enjoy being around people and comfortable with people being around them and on all sides.

- Limited pasture rotation, so needs to be able to eat from a hay net if needed.

- Experience in an indoor arena alone or with other horses

- Must be up to date on dental work and vaccines, with proof of vaccination

Please contact us through messenger for more details, or reach out to executivedirector@horsepowersf.com

If you have a horse that you think would be a great fit, please fill out this google form so we can evaluate all of the information! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScfKTisGHNkt3Yy57B5UYPiHYZAd1DHCxIv-F078R4OJwjHTw/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=118189882838066272184

HorsePower offers a flexible shared-board arrangement for approved leased horses, allowing owners the opportunity to enjoy and utilize their horse during the summer months while supporting the mission of our therapeutic riding program. Depending on the level of owner involvement and use, there may be opportunities for shared board costs or potential full board sponsorship. Horses accepted into the program will receive consistent care, purposeful activity, and the opportunity to positively impact the lives of individuals with disabilities and veterans through equine-assisted services. All participating owners will be required to sign a formal lease and boarding agreement outlining expectations, responsibilities, scheduling, liability, and care standards to ensure the best experience for both horse and owner.

05/12/2026

𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.

When a child is struggling, their behavior is often showing us that something feels difficult, confusing, overwhelming, or out of reach in that moment.

Rather than focusing only on what the behavior looks like, it’s important to look deeper. What happened before the behavior? What need might the child be trying to express? What skill may still need to be taught?

When we understand the purpose behind behavior, we can respond with compassion and provide meaningful support. This might include teaching new communication skills, offering choices, adjusting expectations, creating a calmer environment, or helping the child access a break in a safe and appropriate way.

Support begins with understanding. When children feel seen and supported, we create more opportunities for learning, connection, and growth.