Hi all and welcome to our page!
My name is Stacey Garvin Stevens, Director of the Ashland Regional Training Center. I joined the RTC in July 2015 as an Early Childhood Education Specialist and have loved every day that I get to work here. It is a blessing to work with an amazing team, providing technical assistance and support to our AMAZING districts. I am so humbled to be a part of the great work our coordinators, teachers, and support staff accomplish for the children and families in Eastern Kentucky.
Let me tell you a little bit about me! I graduated from Boyd County High School (a million years ago) and pursued a degree in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education at Eastern Kentucky University. Upon earning my degree and certification, I returned to Boyd County to teach preschool for the next 20 years. Even on the worst days, the classroom was my happy place. I always considered my job a “calling,” and my “mission” in life has always been, and continues to be, serving young children and their families by connecting, loving, supporting, and educating. Throughout my career, in challenges and accomplishments, I have been abundantly blessed.
I continued my education at Marshall University (Masters of Preschool Education) and Morehead State University (Rank 1 in Education). I love being the student, and I am still that girl that takes notes during trainings and reads articles online to stay up to date on the latest research and trends.
On a personal note, my top loves are my faith and my family. I have one son, Jonny, who is currently attending college at Walters State CC where he plays baseball. While I am missing him like crazy and am still trying to get used to the silence of an empty house, I am excited that he is pursuing his goals and dreams. It is the MOST fun being his mom. I am fortunate to have a large extended family, most of which live in this area. We make spending time together a priority and get together often for outdoor activities, games, and food (always food!). I am a firm believer that faith and family are essential to success and happiness.
A little about me:
What’s your favorite memory from working at the RTC? Jamie Lester and I presented Preschool Pandemonium at Jenny Wiley. This included an overnight stay in the lodge, a ginormous rattlesnake, a very speedy and evasive cockroach, massive spiders, a country music concert, and a power outage (which occurred while I was in the shower). There is no “dark” like “lights out at Jenny Wiley lodge dark.” Although we may have cried a little (I will let you decide who cried the most) we ended up having an amazing training in spite of no air conditioning in the training rooms in August.
What’s a fun fact about you that most people don’t know? I HATE crafting and tater tots. How fun is that fact?
What advice would you give anyone who works with children? The first and most important thing we can do for children is to love them and embrace them exactly as they are. In doing that, everything else falls into place. There may be challenges, but there will ALWAYS be joy!❤
My name is Kerri Thornburg. Originally from Long Island New York, my family moved to Ironton, Ohio when I was a junior in high school. I graduated from Ironton High School which created a new home base for me. Once I graduated, I attended a few different universities as I made my way out west. Ohio University, University of Colorado Boulder, and then finally finishing my Bachelor of Economics at The University of Alaska Fairbanks. Yes, it was cold!! My husband and I had our first child in Alaska and we owned a restaurant. We were busy! When I was ready to have our second child the grandparents were getting a little upset with the distance, so we moved back to this area and found a home in Ashland, KY. My background in business led me to a fabulous job with Necco, a foster care agency and this is where I realized I was supposed to be working with children and families. My next role was as a Family Resource Center coordinator and I started my IECE classes and continued to receive a Masters degree in special education. In 2010 I accepted a position at Oakview Elementary School as a special education teacher, and I worked primarily with students with Autism and Behavior Disabilities in Kindergarten and first grade. While at Oakview Elementary, I also had the opportunity to lead the special education team and serve as an assistant principal after receiving my Educational Specialist Degree at the University of the Cumberlands. In July 2020, I accepted my new amazing role at the RTC and look forward to working with so many amazing teachers!
I have been married for 23 years to John, who is an Electrician. We have 3 children, Alaina who is 22, who recently received her BA in Health Care Administration from Ohio University. My middle daughter is 20 and a Nursing student at Morehead State University where she also runs XC and Track. My youngest, Chris is going to be 18 and is a freshman at the University of Louisville, persuing a Finance degree. You will find us in the mountains skiing, camping and fishing in our free time, when we have that. During the spring you will catch me coaching the Ashland Boys and Girls Track team which is one of my favorite things to do.
What’s your favorite memory from working at the RTC? Loading up the Uhaul and delivering items to the schools and visiting centers is by far my favorite memory!
What’s a fun fact about you most people don’t know? When I lived in Alaska, one of my houses didn’t have water so I had an outhouse and had to take showers at the fancy laundromat.
What advice would you give anyone who works with children? Enjoy every minute of play with your kiddos! I know you spend so much time planning and preparing for every day, so take the time to truly enjoy the activities with your children. When you are in your classroom, you can never be too loving, too caring, too enthusiastic, too encouraging, or too optimistic. Have FUN!
Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all. – Aristotle
I am Carolee McCallister, the Early Childhood Behavior Specialist and Pyramid Model Coach for the Ashland Regional Training Center. I am a Marshall University graduate with a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. I worked in the psychology department at a residential facility for adolescence and adults with intellectual disabilities for over 18 years before coming to Ashland Independent Schools where I worked as the District Behavior Specialist for 7 years. I am a Certified Autism Specialist and a Certified CPI trainer. Although I am new to the Ashland Regional Training Center, I have assisted them with social emotional trainings and support during my position with the district. Even though I have a new position, my office space has not changed and I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to work closely with my work family.
I currently live in Ohio with my two wonderful sons, Brennen and Brycen. Brennen is 21 and finishing his degree in Biology in time to enter the Physician Assistant program at Marshall University in January. Brycen is 15 years old and a sophomore who is a great student but also excels at varsity football and varsity basketball. I enjoy kayaking, baking, and crafting of all varieties.
What’s your favorite memory from working at the RTC? My favorite memory with the RTC has been the opportunities to travel to Orlando, Florida for a conference and to Chicago, Illinois for a training.
What’s a fun fact about you most people don’t know? I love all things Harry Potter and even put up a Harry Potter tree for the holidays.
What advice would you give anyone who works with children? Relax, provide children with your love and attention during the time you have them in your care. You are making a difference, even if it doesn’t always seem as if you are.
