Supporting schools and families
Learner’s Branch helps educators strengthen inclusive practice and helps parents navigate educational supports for their children. Explore professional development for schools and educational advocacy for families of students with disabilities.
Learning that grows
into everyday practice.
Inclusive instruction. Prepared staff.
Meaningful student support.
For schools & districts
Choose a focused topic or connect several areas into a professional learning plan. Content can be tailored to staff roles, grade levels, and your priorities for supporting students with disabilities.
Strengthen instruction that welcomes learner differences and gives students meaningful access to learning.
Build clear roles, shared planning routines, and coordinated support across classroom teams.
Help staff understand their responsibilities and translate student plans into consistent daily practice.
Develop targeted support for academic learning, organization, and independent participation.
Equip staff with practical ways to support participation, communication, and positive learning environments.
Support staff in connecting learning to students’ goals for life beyond school.
For parents & caregivers
You know your child’s strengths, needs, and goals. Learner’s Branch helps you prepare for school conversations, understand educational plans, and participate with confidence in decisions about your child’s support.
Get help making sense of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), Section 504 plans, educational reports, goals, accommodations, and progress information.
Organize your questions, priorities, and relevant information before school meetings. Discuss advocacy support for participation and follow-up based on the agreed scope of services.
Clarify what you are requesting, prepare written questions, and develop constructive communication with the school team around your child’s learning and participation.
Explore questions and priorities for changes in schools or programs, transition planning, self-advocacy, and life after high school.
Share the type of support you are seeking through Contact Me. We’ll discuss your goals, availability, fees, and the scope of advocacy before services begin.
Please keep your initial message general. Do not send student records or identifying information through the website form. Any review of records will be arranged separately.
Professional learning for educators
Professional learning can begin with a workshop and extend into planning, observation, and feedback. We’ll discuss a format that fits your staff and schedule.
BUILD SHARED UNDERSTANDINGFocused learning sessions with practical strategies, discussion, and opportunities to connect learning to staff responsibilities.
CONNECT LEARNING TO PRACTICECollaborative planning, classroom observation, and feedback to help teams apply instructional practices and identify next steps.
PLAN WITH PURPOSEConversations with school and district teams to clarify needs, align priorities, and plan support for sustained implementation.
Flexible delivery: In-person, virtual, or hybrid options.
Early childhood through postsecondary transitionOur approach
Share the professional learning needs of your team or the educational advocacy support your family is seeking.
We’ll discuss your priorities, service scope, format, timing, accessibility needs, and pricing before confirming an engagement.
Identify practical next steps for classroom implementation or family-school planning, with follow-up support when it fits your goals and agreed scope.
About me
Dr. Tanya Karner
Special education leader & staff development partner
I bring more than 25 years of experience in education, with roles spanning special education and general education teacher, case manager, principal, Director of Special Education, and Assistant Superintendent of Student Services.
My work includes designing and leading professional development in inclusive instruction, Individualized Education Program (IEP) implementation, accommodations, and behavioral supports. I have coached teachers and paraprofessionals, modeled co-planning and co-teaching practices, and developed schoolwide coaching and multi-tiered systems of support.
I hold a doctorate in Educational Administration and master’s degrees in Special Education and Educational Leadership. My experience also includes serving as a university instructor, supporting the development of educators. Through Learner’s Branch, I bring classroom and district leadership experience to professional learning for educators and educational advocacy for parents.
Plan your professional learning
Tell us about your priorities and complete your request here. Submitting an inquiry does not commit your district to purchasing services. Fields marked * are required.
Prefer a PDF? Download the fillable inquiry form and email your completed copy.
Let’s connect
Are you a parent seeking advocacy or a school team exploring professional learning? Send a message here. School and district teams can also complete the professional development inquiry form for a detailed request.
Fields marked * are required.
