​Special Populations

The GLLA Special Education Department meets the unique needs of students with disabilities by providing instruction and training to enable them to have access to, and make progress in, the general education curriculum in a virtual setting.

Meet Our Team! 

Melanie Miller 
Manager of Special Education

Mrs. Miller has been with GLLA since October of 2022 as a special education teacher and has been in education for 10 years with experience ranging from classroom teacher to assistant principal.​

P 810-553-6986
Webmail
​Biography 
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Kristin McCarthy
Lead Teacher - Special Education

Mrs. McCarthy joined Great Lakes Learning Academy in November of 2022 with 13 years of experience in education. 

P 810-553-6986
Webmail

Jodi Courtland
Manager of Student Accountability  

Mrs. Courtland works with the special education team to manage compliance tracking, coordinate 504 meetings, and support with records requests.

P 810-545-7378
​Webmail

​Ms. Buchanan 

​Ms. Becker
​Mrs. Becker joined GLLA this year with 12 years of experience in education. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture and Life Sciences from Chonnam National University, a master’s degree in Literacy Studies with a focus on Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from Grand Valley State University, and is currently working on a master’s degree in Learning Disabilities at Central Michigan University.

Mrs. Hall
Mrs. Hall has been in education for 8 years and has been teaching with GLLA since 2020. She has a bachelors in Elementary K-8 and Special Education K-12, a masters in English Language Learners, and a masters in Curriculum and Instruction.

Mrs. Klump
Mrs. Klump has 20+ years of experience in education and has been teaching here at GLLA since 2019. She has a undergraduate in Elementary Education from Saginaw Valley State University, a graduate degree in Special Education/Autism from Michigan State University, an Applied Behavioral Analysis Degree from Michigan State University and a graduate degree in Early Childhood Education from Western Michigan University.

Mrs. Moore-Hinton
Mrs. Moore-Hinton has been in education for over 17 years and started with Great Lakes Learning Academy in 2021. She has a masters degree in Secondary Education, masters degree in Gerontology, and a masters degree in Special Ed Administration from Eastern Illinois University. 
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​Mr. Rodriguez
​Mr. Rodriguez is entering his first full year of teaching with GLAA. He received his Bachelor's degree in Special Education Mild to Moderate from Western Governors University, and is currently working on his masters in Curriculum and Instruction.

Ms. Ziesmer
​Ms. Ziesmer will be celebrating her 10th year of teaching this school year, and started with GLLA in January of 2024. She received her Bachelor’s in 2015, receiving an integrated Elementary and Special Education degree at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. In 2019, she earned a Master’s Degree in Education with Counseling at San Diego State University, to better learn how mental health and trauma can affect learning.

Ms. Smith
Mrs. Smith joined GLLA in December of 2023 with 30 years of experience in education.  She has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with an endorsement in Special Education - Learning Disabilities from Lee University.  She earned her Masters degree in Educational Leadership from Saginaw Valley University.

Ms. Simons
​Ms. Simons has been in education for 7 years and started with GLLA in the spring of 2024. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary/Special Education from WGU and is currently working on a Master’s degree in Curriculum design.

Resources

SPECIAL EDUCATION EVALUATION

It is the responsibility of the district to identify persons between the ages of birth and 26 who are suspected of having a disability that may affect their educational performance.

Parents or guardians who have a concern about their child’s progress in school, suspect that their child may have a disability or may need Special Education services should contact their building principal in writing to request interventions as designed by the building scholar success team, or a special education evaluation.

Any scholar suspected of having a disability shall be evaluated by a Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team as defined in the Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE) at R 340.1701b (b). In addition to the requirements in R 340.1705 to R 340.1717, the Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team shall do the following:

1. Complete a full and individual evaluation.
2. Make a recommendation of eligibility and prepare a written report to be presented to the Individualized Education Program Team by the designated Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team member who can explain the instructional implication of evaluation results. The report shall include information needed by the Individualized Education Program Team to determine all of the following:
   • Eligibility
   • A scholar’s present level of academic achievement and functional performance
   • The educational needs of the scholar

​Special Education personnel who are authorized to conduct evaluations of scholars suspected of having a disability may provide consultation to general education personnel for the purpose of prevention and intervention.

iNDIVIDUALIZED eDUCATION PROGRAM (IEP)​

An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a written plan for a scholar with a disability who requires special education programs and/or services to make progress in the general education curriculum. Instruction may be provided within the general education classroom with or without accommodations and/or in a classroom with a general education teacher with a special education teacher providing support. Additionally, some scholars receive instruction in a categorical special education classroom where core content instruction is delivered by the special education teacher as determined by the IEP with parent’s input.

​All courses that earn credit towards graduation follow the Michigan Merit Curriculum and sequence with appropriate modifications and accommodations per the scholar’s IEP or personal curriculum.​

dEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PARENT RESOURCES

Parents play an important role in the education of their children. Parents can help their children at home with learning. Parents can also provide valuable input for schools about what is best for their child. Michigan Department of Education Resources can be found here. ​

Child Find

​Child Find is provided to assure that the needs of scholars suspected of having a disability will be met.
In order to meet the requirements as set forth, GRPS has designated personnel to conduct Child Find responsibilities who can assist with:

• Identifying scholars Birth to 3 years of age suspected of having a disability
• Identifying scholars 3 to 26 years of age suspected of having a disability
• Guiding families to the appropriate educational services within the district
• Finding additional information to assist families with children who have educational needs

If you suspect your child may have a disability, contact us directly at [email protected] or 616-819-3514.

Parent Resource Links

Michigan Alliance for Families
Friendship Circle
Michigan Rehabilitation Services
Bridges4Kids
Community Mental Health
Center for Parent Information and Resources
Ingham ISD Parent Resources for Special Education