Effective leadership in special education starts with a strong foundation of knowledge, empathy, and collaboration. This week, Ingham ISD brought those principles to life by hosting a professional development session tailored specifically for building leaders: Special Education Essentials for Principals.
The session was a joint effort between the Student Instructional Services and Student Support Services teams, focused on equipping principals with key tools and insights to support all learners—especially students receiving special education services. Participants explored core topics like communication strategies, program compliance, and systems of support, all framed through the lens of equity and inclusion.
The goal? To help school leaders deepen their understanding of the services available, build stronger relationships with special education teams, and ultimately create more inclusive learning environments that meet the needs of every student.
By bringing these leaders together in one space, the session reinforced a shared vision: that supporting students with disabilities isn’t just the responsibility of one department—it’s a collaborative commitment across the entire school community.
Recent Stories:
Ingham ISD staff came together for Opening Day with a question: “What if?” As the district begins year two of its "Power of What If?" theme, the focus is shifting to student voice—and creating meaningful learning experiences by listening to the students at the center of the work.
At Heartwood School, there’s no expectation that learning should look the same for every student. Teacher Samantha Mulder takes us inside her classroom to show how communication tools, flexible spaces, movement and individualized supports help middle school students with severe cognitive impairments learn in ways that work for them.




