Staff Spotlight: Mia Leland Connects with Families, Helping Navigate Needs

This post is part of the Lynden Schools Staff Spotlight series

Mia Leland has a heart for the caregivers of students with unique needs. It’s what makes her role as a K-5 special education teacher at Lynden Academy so fulfilling. 

The Role

Leland has taught at Lynden Academy, the K-12 parent partnership program of Lynden Schools, since 2014, whether third, sixth or eighth grade (sometimes multiple grades at once). But now as a K-5 special education teacher, she combines the traditional tasks related to special education—writing individualized education programs, monitoring progress and collaborating with teachers to determine the best-fit accommodations—with being “in the trenches with families as they homeschool their children who have unique needs. This happens to be my favorite part of the job.” 

It’s the connections that matter. “I love partnering with caregivers,” Leland says. “I have a heart for helping them discover what their child needs to be successful in their general education classroom, whether that is in their homeschool classroom or on-site at the academy.”

Leland equates her role as a lot like a coach, requiring her to figure out how to best support the students with the information, tools and strategies available. “Every day is different in how I meet the needs of the kids and families,” she says, “and I wouldn’t want it any other way.” 

Getting to Know Mia

As an alum of Lynden High School, Leland says she wants to remain connected to a school district that set her up for success. Her family resides in Lynden, and she has two children attending school in the district. She spends her time with friends and family and when Leland gets a few minutes to herself, she’s busy quilting, playing board games and video games and gardening.