Austin & Lily is a special education company dedicated to providing the very best special education curriculum and instruction.
An Open Letter From Our CEO
Hello!
Thank you for exploring our curriculum. Austin & Lily is named after Stephanie’s son, Austin, and my daughter, Lily, who both have Down syndrome. We designed this curriculum for a few reasons. We are very passionate about supporting teachers, and we want to support optimum development of students with an ID. We also have a lot of insight as to what the ideal curriculum would require. Because we both have taught for many years, we know all to well the challenge of trying to find curriculum for students with an intellectual disability. Like most teachers, we tried to find materials on the internet to piece together as a unit, or we ended up having to make our own curriculum. What little curriculum we did find was lacking in many areas, and educators needed a better option. So, in 2015 we decided to solve this issue and began the process of designing curriculum that TRULY addressed the needs of students with an ID. We designed general education curriculum that follows best practices, is aligned with standards, works on conceptual development, develops language skills, vocabulary, improves reading and embeds functional skills organically.
Our unique background played heavily into the development of this curriculum. In addition to being certified special education teachers, we are both reading specialists. I spent the first 8 years of my teaching career teaching English as a Second Language. My experience teaching language, making content comprehensible, and working heavily with visuals, has played a major role in the development of this curriculum. We have created the curriculum, and we teach you how to teach it. We think you will love it.
Here are a few features that are noteworthy:
- Our Full Curriculum License includes everything we have. (This is what we recommend.)
- With a license, you have access to all the materials all year long. You decide what to teach and when.
- Numerous worksheets in 4 levels come with each unit. They range from non-reader to reader. (K-3)
- Everything is non-fiction and works for students and adults of all ages.
- Each unit can be studied for a week or more.
- You can license individual categories if you do not need the full curriculum.
Please reach out and let me know if you have questions. Stephanie and I look forward to hearing from you!
All the Best!
Janet
Austin & Lily’s mission is to educate, support, and provide high-quality and engaging curriculum that meets the needs of students with intellectual disabilities by providing educators with the tools needed to create a world where people with intellectual disabilities develop to their potential.
Our Team
Janet Giel-Romo
Founder
Janet holds a doctorate in education leadership focused on intellectual disabilities. Her passion has been understanding and meeting the needs of at-risk learners. She is certified in Arizona in the areas of social studies, reading, middle school, English as a Second Language, and cross-categorical special education. Janet has over 25 years of experience teaching at the middle school, high school, and university levels.
Stephanie Talomie-Best
Co-founder
Stephanie holds an M.A. in Education and is endorsed in cross-categorical special education. She has completed course work in reading and English as a Second Language. She is a master teacher focused on students with intellectual disabilities. She has taught in both inclusive classrooms and self-contained programs. She has over 20 years of experience teaching at both the K-12 and university levels.
Tricia Baumann
Texas Representative
Jana Barrett, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech & Language Pathologist
Jana earned a bachelor’s of science in speech, language, and hearing sciences with a minor in linguistics from the University of Arizona . She then earned a master’s in speech and language pathology from the University of the Pacific in Stockton. Jana is very skilled at working with students with intellectual disabilities and developing their speech and language.
Steve Dashiell
Advisor
Steve has over 18 years experience in designing software solutions for Fortune 500 companies, SMEs and startups. He has co-founded three design studios. He holds a BS in Psychology and an MA in International Economics. His extensive background in all aspects of business have been invaluable to the development of Austin & Lily.
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