LTUSD makes leadership changes in Special Education/Student Services

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - For the current 2024/25 school year, Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) has made some organizational changes to better serve special needs students and staff.

Elizabeth Shepherd*, the former director of Student Services and Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA), is now focusing solely on SELPA as the Director of Tahoe-Alpine SELPA, while Brenna Dillman has been promoted to Student Services/Special Education Coordinator for the district.

Ms. Dillman brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the program. She has experience teaching resource and special day classes, holds a master’s degree in special education, and possesses an administrative services credential. Ms. Dillman brings a variety of experience working in small rural districts and Elk Grove Unified, the fourth largest district in the state. Ms. Dillman is committed to finding opportunities for all special needs students to be included in regular education classrooms when and where possible and engaging with the special needs community.

Ms. Dillman held the first special needs informational parent night on October 16. Forty people attended the engaging meeting, including parents and site staff. The meeting consisted of a presentation on the current state of special education in the district, time to collaborate with other parents and staff, and an opportunity to share thoughts on the district’s strengths and challenges. Parents were also allowed to write down questions that the district would answer directly and create an FAQ page on the district website. One takeaway from the meeting was to improve communication with the special needs community. Ms. Dillman is committed to addressing this via future parent nights, direct collaboration with the CAC (Community Advisory Committee), and creating a more comprehensive email list for special education families.

In another development, the Adult Program has officially relocated from South Tahoe High School to the Al Tahoe campus, allowing students to engage in a more mature educational environment. The move aims to provide students with the respect and treatment befitting their adult status. The program's dedicated teacher, Kellee Koeppen, who started in the teaching position for its initiative, shares that she returns home exhausted yet fulfilled each night, knowing that her efforts are positively impacting the students' lives. She expressed gratitude for the support from partners involved in the program.

Students now participate in daily physical education classes at Lake Tahoe Community College, where they acquire valuable skills. Students also gain practical experience working at Grocery Outlet and Christmas Cheer. Most Fridays, the students embark on field trips to local parks and beaches, where they contribute to community service by picking up trash. Community members have warmly welcomed the students, often engaging them in conversations that foster connections and promote understanding. Through this program, students are not only learning essential skills but also the importance of community service and civic responsibility.

Tahoe Valley Principal Pat Harnett has expressed enthusiasm for the collaborative efforts of Ms. Dillman and LTUSD teacher Stephanie Lapp, who are both dedicated to including students with special needs in general education classes. Ms. Lapp, who works with transitional and kindergarten through second-grade students in the Special Day Class (SDC), has been instrumental in fostering an inclusive environment. As more SDC students participate in general education settings, Harnett has observed a growth in empathy among teachers and students alike.

"This initiative is a win for everyone," said Harnett, highlighting that students are now attending music, math, physical education, and library classes alongside their peers.

Ms. Lapp emphasized the importance of inclusion, noting that students benefit greatly from being with their classmates. Feedback from parents and students has been overwhelmingly positive, further underscoring the success of these efforts. Recently, students participated in a walk-a-thon, where SDC students actively engaged by walking, running, or cheering on their peers, showcasing the spirit of community and support fostered by these inclusive practices.

* Sheperd's time is split as .40 Director of Student Support Services for Alpine County Schools, .40 Director of the Tahoe / Alpine SELPA, and .20 Community Schools for Tahoe.