Stable Foundations

I have spent the last decade specializing in Experiential and Alternative Education, focusing on students who require a different approach to thrive. My career has been dedicated to the belief that 'education' doesn't just happen at a desk, it happens where students feel engaged and regulated. By integrating 30 years of horsemanship with evidence-based pedagogy, I develop curriculum that uses animals and nature as the ultimate multi-sensory teaching tools. I have a deep background in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and creating modified curriculum for neurodivergent learners.

On Teachers Pay Teachers, your Teaching Style section is the place to explain how you teach and why your resources look the way they do. For you, this is about the intersection of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Experiential Education. Here is a blurb that highlights your unique approach: My Teaching Style: Experiential, Inclusive, and Heart-Centered "My teaching philosophy is built on the belief that if a child can’t learn the way we teach, we must teach the way they learn. With 10 years in alternative education and a Master’s in Inclusive Education, my style is defined by three core pillars: Hands-On Engagement (The 'Barn' Method): I believe science should be felt, smelled, and seen. Whether we are discussing the physics of a horse's coat or the biology of their digestive system, I turn abstract NGSS standards into tangible, 'sticky' experiences. Universal Design for Learning (UDL): I don't believe in 'one size fits all.' My resources are designed with accessibility at the forefront. I provide visual anchors, scaffolded data tables, and multi-sensory instructions so that neurodivergent learners and students with special needs can access the same high-level content as their peers. Social-Emotional Grounding: Learning can be frustrating. By using horses as a medium, I integrate emotional regulation into my lessons. Horses require us to be calm, present, and observant, the exact same traits needed for scientific inquiry. I create 'Stable Foundations' for my students by removing barriers to entry and replacing them with curiosity and confidence.

My proudest moments aren't found on a plaque, but in the eyes of a student who finally 'clicks' with a complex concept. I’ve witnessed students who struggle with traditional reading and math suddenly find their voice while calculating hay ratios or explaining the physics of a horse’s coat. A 'shining moment' for me was developing an alternative STEM track that allowed students with significant sensory processing needs to lead their own scientific inquiries in a barn setting. Seeing a student move from 'I can't' to 'Watch me' is why I created Stable Foundations.

Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Inclusive Education: Concordia University - Specialized in creating accessible learning environments for students with diverse cognitive, emotional, and physical needs. Bachelor’s Degree: Bowdoin College 30 Years of Applied Equine Science: Three decades of hands-on experience in equine husbandry, training, and management, providing the practical foundation for all my STEM resources.

I am a lifelong horsewoman and a passionate advocate for inclusive education. My company, Stable Foundations, was born out of the need for high-quality, standards-aligned curriculum that is actually accessible to all kids. When I’m not developing resources or teaching, I am out in the barn with my own herd: Nemo, my 25-year-old Thoroughbred partner. Phoenix, the brainy 27-year-old Morgan. Maverick, our 4-year-old home-bred 'emo' youngster. Razzle Dazzle, the tiny-but-mighty pony in charge. I believe that horses provide a unique mirror for human emotion and a perfect laboratory for scientific discovery. My TpT store is dedicated to bringing that magic to your classroom or homeschool, one accessible lesson at a time.