Minnesota-based training, coaching, and mentoring for special education teachers and the teams who support them, grounded in more than 20 years of classroom, transition, and district leadership experience.
Schedule a Consultation · Call or text (651) 505-2250
Special Education Teacher Training
Practical workshops on the core parts of the job, from caseload management to co-planning with general education colleagues.
New Teacher Coaching & Mentoring
Ongoing, relationship-based support for special educators in their first years.
Lesson Planning & Specially Designed Instruction
Turn IEP goals into daily instruction through explicit teaching, scaffolding, flexible grouping, and accommodations that fit each student.
IEP Guidance
Write clear present levels and measurable annual goals, build progress monitoring plans that work, stay compliant, run efficient, student-centered IEP meetings, and partner with families as true members of the team.
Transition Planning, Pre-ETS & Work-Based Learning
Support for secondary teams on transition assessments, measurable postsecondary goals, and meaningful work-based learning. We draw on the Pre-Employment Transition Services L&S delivers every day.
Standards Alignment
Connect IEP goals to the Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards so students keep access to grade-level learning.
New special educators have to be ready on day one. They teach a wide range of needs in one room, manage legal paperwork, and lead teams of adults, often with little preparation for the non-instructional side of the job. Our coaching meets them where they are. Informed by insights from the New Teacher Center, we focus on five areas:
Coaching includes observations, feedback, planning conversations, and someone to call when questions come up.
Our trainings are built around the frameworks Minnesota special educators are expected to know:
In-person services cover the MSP metro/suburbs and Northern Minnesota, and virtual options are available.
L&S Consulting is a CARF-accredited Minnesota company that has supported students and adults with disabilities since 2019 through Pre-ETS, VRS services, special education consulting, and more.
Our professional development is led by L&S Consulting's owners, who bring decades of combined experience in special education:
Because we've led programs and taught in classrooms from early childhood through high school, our training is practical, realistic, and ready to use.
Q: Do you only work with new teachers?
A: No. Coaching is especially valuable for new special educators, but we also support experienced ECSE, elementary, and secondary teachers, case managers, and school and district leaders.
Q: Do you support early childhood special education (ECSE) teachers?
A: Yes. We coach ECSE teachers and teams on IFSP-to-IEP transitions, play-based and routines-based instruction, writing functional goals for young children, collaborating with families and early intervention partners, and meeting Minnesota requirements for children ages 3–5.
Q: What support do you offer elementary special education teachers?
A: We help elementary special educators with specially designed instruction in reading, writing, and math, co-teaching and inclusion strategies, behavior supports and classroom routines, progress monitoring, and aligning IEP goals to grade-level Minnesota standards.
Q: Can you help teachers who work across grade levels or settings?
A: Absolutely. Our owners have taught and led programs in rural, suburban, and urban districts, at both the elementary and secondary levels, so we tailor coaching to your students, caseload, and setting.
Q: Can trainings be customized for our district, charter, or co-op?
A: Yes. We tailor content to your students, staff experience, and procedures. That could be a single session or a year-long series.
Q: Are sessions virtual or in person?
A: Both. We offer in-person sessions in the MSP metro/suburbs and Northern Minnesota, and virtual workshops and coaching.
Q: Can an individual teacher work with you directly?
A: Yes. 1:1 coaching is available to teachers who want personal support, whether or not their school is involved.
Q: Do you help with secondary transition planning?
A: Absolutely. Transition is at the heart of what L&S does. We help teams write measurable postsecondary goals, plan transition services, and build work-based learning and Pre-ETS connections.
Whether you're a new teacher looking for a mentor or a leader planning next year's professional development, we'd love to talk. Call or text (651) 505-2250 or email info@lsconsultingmn.com to schedule a consultation.
L&S Consulting does not discriminate based on race, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, color, national origin, familial status, age, disability, marital status, veteran status or status with regard to public assistance.
For a copy of the Client Handbook, email info@lsconsultingmn.com
For questions, email admin@lsconsultingmn.com
CARF Accreditation and VRS Requirements
To provide quality services to our clients, our organization is accredited by CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities). This accreditation ensures that we meet high standards for employment and community services, focusing on personalized, effective, and measurable support to help clients achieve meaningful employment and community integration.
Reaccreditation is required every three years to ensure continuous improvement and compliance with CARF standards, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to excellence and client-centered outcomes.
For a copy of the Client Handbook or to view our documents in another language, Please send an email to info@lsconsultingmn.com
3-year Accreditation Expires 8/31/2027
Survey Findings
This report provides a summary of the organization's strengths and identifies the sections of the CARF standards that were applied on the survey and the findings in each area. In conjunction with its evaluation of conformance to the specific program/service standards, CARF assessed conformance to its business practice standards, referred to as Section 1. ASPIRE to Excellence, which are designed to support the delivery of the program(s)/service(s) within a sound business operating framework to promote long-term success.
The specific standards applied from each section vary based on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the scope(s) of the program(s)/service(s), population(s) served, location(s), methods of service delivery, and survey type. Information about the specific standards applied on each survey is included in the standards manual and other instructions that may be provided by CARF.
Areas of Strength
CARF found that L&S Consulting, LLC demonstrated the following strengths:
- L&S Consulting has received several compliments from stakeholders regarding its availability and flexibility in creatively working with the clients. The organization is known to be available for consultation, collaboration, and any other communication needed for the clients.
- It should be noted that L&S Consulting has built an excellent reputation in the community and is one of the top organizations to refer to from its vocational rehabilitation services (VRS) referral sources and funders. This is to be expected from owners who go above and beyond to provide a variety of curricula for the development of their clients and clearly enjoy their work together immensely.
The organization’s staff members have curated a variety of job opportunities that match the clients’ unique talents and needs, and they go out of their way to accommodate the clients' "dream jobs" as best they can. One parent noted, "The staff worked hard to find my son his dream job, and it was near our home. She went above and beyond."
The organization has created a stable and cohesive work group among the staff members, who feel supported even though they work in a virtual environment. The staff members uniformly noted that they feel guided and supported by the owners and their coworkers even though they are not in an office together.
L&S Consulting’s leadership has a strong background and qualifications in providing employment services. It has created an organizational culture that is highly person-centered and that espouses a commitment to high-quality service delivery. Leadership has been tenacious in developing and growing services since the company was formed in 2019, growing a staff team and service delivery to meet the needs of the communities served.
L&S Consulting’s website was redesigned in 2024 with a focus on varied messaging formats for its stakeholders. For example, there is a customized area for youths and others seeking services to get information, which is provided not only in text but also in visual formats that increase access to and interest in the information. There are also customized areas for families, businesses, and other stakeholders. The website is a great representation of the organization and its quality service delivery.
L&S Consulting’s staff members work in a flexible hybrid work environment, providing services both virtually and in-person based on the desires of the clients served. Leadership has done an excellent job supporting its team, ensuring effective communication and cohesion among staff members even though they spend little time in the same environment. Cohesion-building efforts include using a group text to promote ongoing communication and updates, monthly meetings for all team members, virtual social events, and other ways to ensure connectedness.
L&S Consulting was recently named the Community Transition Provider of the Year by the Transition Specialties Division of the Minnesota Rehabilitation Association, recognizing the organization's exceptional work supporting transition-aged youths.
- The organization provides excellent training and development opportunities for staff members. Onboarding is comprehensive, and additional learning opportunities are available through a learning management system. Additionally, the organization encourages the staff members to participate in customized employment training through the Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators (ACRE) to expand their employment services skill set. The organization has recently partnered with a unique training program offered by offering regular resources and tips for individuals working in employment services.
- L&S Consulting has well-developed employment policies and procedures that are summarized in its handbook for staff members. The information is reviewed and updated regularly and is supported by the advice of outside counsel so that the organization stays abreast of changing employment laws.
- L&S Consulting has well-developed performance measurement and management practices that guide its annual plans for service delivery and business functions. The plans are adapted on a regular basis to reflect the operational changes the organization plans for ongoing quality improvement. Additionally, there is ongoing access to reports related to the clients’ characteristics, referral sources, and other key information that the organization uses to monitor changes over time.