2018 Presenters

Chelsea Barrera

I, Chelsea Barrera, am a Functional Learning Classroom (self-contained SpEd) teacher in RRISD with experience of having students with visual impairments, particularly CVI, within my classroom. I have also begun the TVI program this summer through Texas Tech.

Leslie Barrett

Leslie currently works for Education Service Center Region 13 in Austin, Texas. She coordinates Region 13’s Digital Learning services in which they assist school districts in implementation of digital learning initiatives that facilitate high quality teacher and student learning outcomes. She loves learning. She recently completed her Master of Education in Educational Technology at Texas State University. It was an amazing adventure in examining theories of learning and ways technology can enhance the learning process. She is passionate about finding ways to create innovative, relevant, and effective learning experiences for students and educators. Her website contains some samples of work I have developed toward that end.

Erin Bradley

Erin Bradley is a graduate student in the Educational Psychology program with an emphasis of School Psychology at Baylor University. She holds a Master’s of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from Arizona State University and a Bachelor’s of Science in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from the University of Arizona. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and has worked with students diagnosed with special needs and adults diagnosed with serious mental illnesses.

Ken Breslow

Ken Breslow, PhD, LSSP, works as an educational diagnostician, with a special interest and background in working with children who are D/deaf or hard of hearing. He is constantly reflecting on his role as an evaluator, a member of the Deaf community, and his being a person whom others label as "disabled."

He is married to a phenomenal Deaf woman, and has two awesome grown children, three wonderful grandchildren, and two granddogs.

Susan Catlett, PhD, BCBA-D

Dr. Susan M. Catlett is a board-certified behavior analyst, doctoral level and works as a behavioral consultant in many school districts in and around Texas. She has focused her area of expertise towards individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), working primarily with school districts in the areas of educational and behavioral programming in a “hands-on” capacity. Dr. Catlett received a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology and Individual Differences (1999) from the University of Houston.

Dr. Catlett provides a variety of services to the school districts where she provides consultation. These include observations of students with autism and related disorders, consultation to staff members, staff development, and the occasional functional behavior assessment or in-home/parent training evaluations.

Valerie Conner

Valerie's experience includes working in TDCJ correctional managed health care and with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. She is currently the Transition Specialist for the East Williamson County Cooperative school districts (Taylor, Granger, Thrall and Coupland).

Tammy Cowen

I have a degree in Psychology and have always been intrigued by our human brain, its development, and function in our daily lives. After graduating, I worked for ten years as a Rehab Therapist at a forensic psychiatric hospital and learned patience, biochemistry of the brain, as well as how to build relationships with others, especially with psychological disorders. Later, I was a behavior teacher in Del Valle for two years and learned first hand how overwhelming traumatic events and a child's ACE's score can predict a child's outcome both in school and in their personal lives. I currently work in RRISD as a Special Education resource teacher and have the privilege to teach social skills, yoga, as well as academics to students with multiple disabilities. I have seen mindfulness techniques have rapid success, as it builds a student's own ability to regulate themselves by slowing down and noticing their own thinking, reactions, and patterns. These students can pay attention longer, can state where emotions reside in their bodies, and can pause before reacting to a distressing emotion, with practice. These are lifelong skills that will support them as developing humans in an ever fast-paced world.

Cheryl Flink

I graduated from Texas A&M in ‘06 with a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Special Education. I have had the pleasure of being a PPCD teacher for 10 years! I love creating fun, multi-lessons that regularly promote sensory integration! I believe that my students should come to school each day to learn through play!

Courtney Forman

I, Courtney Forman, am a CTVI with RRISD that provides services to a variety of students with visual impairments, including students with Phase I, II, and III CVI in a range of special education settings. Before becoming a TVI, I was a Functional Academic Classroom (self-contained SpEd) teacher.

Deborrah Gauntlett

Deborrah S. Gauntlett - BA, Texas State University; MS, Texas Woman’s University; Special Education Teacher Certification (EC-12) and General Education Teacher Certification (EC-4), Educator Certification Program ESC 13; Teacher of Students with Visual Impairment (TVI) Certification, Texas Tech University. PPCD teacher for eight years with Bastrop ISD. Fourth year as a TVI for San Marcos CISD. Married, mother of 5, grandmother of 19. Developed “Roll into Reading” program while working with Diana Hiebeler & Forrest Hancock.

April T. Giauque

April T Giauque is the mother of 9 children 5 of which have special needs: 4 with Autism, 2 who are Deaf, and 1 of her deaf children has Autism. April has her Masters degree in Special Education. April is the author of BASE: Building Advanced Social Education. April is a Keynote speaker sharing her heroic story of survival from an abusive marriage. Educationally, April is a Keynote speaker teaching how to implement social skill strategies and transition skills. Currently, April is a Transition teacher at Texas School for the Deaf and lives near Austin Texas with her large family.

Claire Greer, PhD

Claire Greer, Ph.D., is a Research Assistant Professor at the Center for Literacy and Disability Studies, in the Department of Allied Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has worked for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction as the Consultant for Autism, Severe Intellectual Disabilities and Multiple Disabilities and was the Director of the North Carolina Deaf-Blind Project. She has also worked for the States of North Carolina, Kentucky and Wyoming as a Classroom Teacher, Program Specialist, Educational Director, and Exceptional Children Consultant. Claire is currently working on the Stepping-Up Technology Implementation Grants, Tar Heel Shared Reader and Project Core.

Erika Guerrero

Erika is a Life Skills teacher at Alamo Heights. She is a dedicated supporter of Unified Champion Schools and has created an outstanding socially inclusive community on her campus.

Bridgette Hallowell

Transition Teacher serving exceptional students with moderate to severe disabilities for the last five years. With my amazing team, we built our program from scratch and are proud of the results we see every day. A native Austinite who loves immersing students in the community and connecting them with the resources they will need to be successful. I believe that working hard and being a lifelong learner are keys to a happy life. I have two wonderful children, ages 8 and 13 who, thanks to my day job, can cook, budget and clean better than many adults I know!

Jennifer Hamrick

Dr. Hamrick is an Assistant Professor at The Burkhart Center for Autism Education and Research. She is also a certified teacher and BCBA with over 18 years of experience in the field of special education in large school districts primarily monitoring educational programming for self-contained special education programs across multiple campuses. Dr. Hamrick received her PhD from The University of Texas at Austin with an emphasis in Autism and Developmental Disabilities. Since 2018, she has taught graduate level courses as part of the applied behavior analysis course sequence available at Texas Tech University. Having provided supervision and training to teachers, paraprofessionals, and ABA therapists in both the public school and private sector, she has a wealth of experience and knowledge related to best practices when working effectively with students with special needs. Dr. Hamrick's primary focus is staff training as she feels quality training has a substantial impact on treatment integrity and the success of each individual child. Her research has also focused on the social validation of interventions commonly used when working with individuals with autism spectrum disorders. She has been awarded thousands of dollars in grant funding in order to provide training opportunities for public school teachers working with individuals with developmental delays in special education classrooms.

Forrest Hancock

Forrest brings a wealth of experience to her work as an early childhood consultant. She has been a classroom teacher, resource teacher, mental health consultant, and university lecturer. She was an education specialist: PPCD at ESC Region 13 from 1993-2001. She has consulted for Head Start, local education agencies, PPCD, and ECI. She was a contributing author for Transdisciplinary Play-based Intervention I (2nd Ed). She has collaborated with Deborah Gauntlett and Diana Hiebeler to write a manual that includes literacy-based motor activities and that explains their techniques and view about integrating literacy and motor skills.

Diana Hiebeler

Diana is an Occupational Therapist (OT) currently working at Leander ISD where she uses literacy-based motor groups with three PPCD/ELE/ESLE classes. She is an adjunct professor at UHD and works part time at Capital Therapy Group. Her caseload includes children with a variety of disabilities whose ages range from 3 to 14 years. Diana has worked with infants, toddlers, and families in Early Childhood Intervention (ECI); preschool-age children in Preschool Programs for Children with Disabilities (PPCD); and school-age children. She has an undergraduate degree in OT from Ohio State and a masters degree in OT from New York University.

Barbara Hobbs

Barb is an Educational Specialist in the areas of autism and low incidence disabilities at Region 16 in Amarillo, TX. She has worked in the field of autism for over 14 years as a paraprofessional, teacher and autism specialist. Barb graduated from Goshen College in Indiana majoring in Fine Arts with an emphasis on Art Therapy. She received her Special Education degree from West Texas A&M. She received her Master of Special Education-Autism from the University of North Texas.

Ali Holt

I grew up exposed to special education through my mom who's a speech therapist. I began working in the Round Rock ISD ESY program at a young age and when I went to college I knew Special Education was my passion. I have taught the last 9 years mostly with students on the Autism Spectrum, and currently teach a functional communication classroom at the PPCD level in Round Rock ISD. My job allows me to see young students on the spectrum surpass expectations in their abilities to communicate. I have a passion to pass on my experience and tools to other teachers so they are able to see the same effect.

Mark Hublar

Mark has his own business in which he speaks to both profit and nonprofit businesses and organizations. He enjoys playing football and participating in Special Olympics. He likes to swim for exercise and he loves watching WWE wrestling and football. In school, he was included in general education classes as well as special education classes. he received my high school diploma.He has lived on his own, paid his own bills, and been employed since he was 24 years old. He has also been an owner of two businesses.

Carol Huntley

Carol has been serving happily as the Transition Specialist for Round Rock ISD for over 14 years. Previously to that, she taught at the Texas School for the Deaf and acted as the principal of the high school there for her last 11 years before her first retirement! She enjoys finding out ways to make transition easier for students and staff working with students, especially the use of technology to make life easier!

Alice Keller

Alice is a life-longer learner and former Special Education teacher. She came to Special Olympics as an employee after years of service as a Unified Partner and coach.

Monica Kurtz

Monica L. Kurtz is an Education Specialist at Region 13. Monica has a B.S. in Applied Social Sciences. Her background includes over 10 years' experience in early childhood education, as well as 15 years with the Texas School for the Deaf working with students from Kindergarten to adult learners who are deaf and also have additional disabilities. Monica presents professional development training to educators throughout the region focusing on social/emotional learning, behavior, and early childhood trauma. She also visits schools to work directly with educators on training and special projects.

Patricia Obrzut, MS, OTR/L

Patricia Obrzut, MS, OTR/L is the Assistant Director of Penrickton Center for Blind Children, a private, non-profit organization serving blind, special needs children ages 1-12 years. Located in Taylor, Michigan, Penrickton Center offers residential, daycare, and consultative programs at no charge to families. Ms. Obrzut has a Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy and received the permission of Dr. Lilli Nielsen in 2002 to provide Active Learning educational trainings. She is considered an expert in the use Active Learning strategies, equipment, techniques, assessment tool and curriculum, implementing programming for special needs children since 1992.

Liz Plachta

Liz Plachta is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Ruby's Rainbow. Liz’s drive to start Ruby’s Rainbow came from her adoration for her family. Her passion to provide her children with the best inspired her to help other families like hers with educational costs and support, as well as helping to raise standards and expectations of individuals with Down Syndrome. She truly is the driving force behind Ruby’s Rainbow.

Kaitlyn Rateau

I am Katlyn Rateau a PPCD teacher for Bastrop ISD. I am currently completing my 4th year teaching. This is my third year teaching in PPCD. I absolutely love my job getting the chance to work with my kids and teaching assistants everyday. Texas State University is where a graduated from with my bachelors. Go Bobcats! I am very passionate about Special education and love finding ways to grow with in.

Christine Reeve, PhD, BCBA-D

Christine Reeve, PhD, BCBA-D, has almost 30 years of professional experience in a variety of settings, including community outreach, academic, education, and clinic settings serving individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. Christine provides consultation and training on classroom design, educational programming, assessing and intervening with challenging behaviors, and applied behavior analysis teaching strategies, and she creates educational materials for special education classrooms. She serves as a reviewer for two professional journals. Christine has also authored several books for children and is the co-author of Setting up Classroom Spaces That Support Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Building Independence: Structured Work Systems for Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Taming the Data Monster: Collecting and Analyzing Classroom Data to Improve Student Progress. She maintains an active blog for teachers serving students in special education, AutismClassroomNews.com.

Eric Robinson

Dr. Eric Robinson is the Director of the School Psychology Program at Baylor University and the Director of the Baylor Autism Resource Clinic, which is part of the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities. Prior to arriving in Texas, Eric worked as a school psychologist in South Carolina, was a member of the Autism Assessment Team in the Child Development Unit at the University of Kansas Medical Center, and completed his doctoral internship in the Nebraska Internship Consortium in Professional Psychology -specifically at Boys Town (NE). Eric has been a behavior consultant in the public schools of Topeka, KS, Waco ISD, and Georgetown ISD.

Darcy Schiller

Darcy Schiller is an Autism Education Specialist at the Education Service Center, Region 13. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Special Education and Elementary Education (dual-certification) and her M.S. in Psychology. Darcy has 18 years of experience working in Hawaii, Guam, Indiana, and Texas. She has worked with students ages 2 to adult as a Special Education teacher, Family Literacy teacher, Adjunct Professor, and Autism Specialist.

Janet Sturm, PhD, CCC-SLP

Janet Sturm, Ph.D, CCC-SLP, is a professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Central Michigan University. Dr. Sturm has been working in general and special education classrooms for over 30 years. Her research and development work focuses on writing instruction for students with disabilities, computer-supported literacy, formative and summative assessments of beginning writers, and classroom communication. Dr. Sturm was the principal investigator of two National Institute of Health grants that supported the development of the First Author Writing Software and she was the creator of the First Author Writing Curriculum. She also has numerous peer-reviewed publications in speech and language and literacy journals. She serves on the Council for Exceptional Children Speech and Language Learning Disabilities Committee, Division for Communicative Disabilities and Deafness and is a consulting editor for Reading and Writing Quarterly.

Gustavo Tostado

Gustavo is an Employment Consultant with Austin ISD Supported Employment Department. He has been working his magic for students in our department for 16 years. Gus has a B.A. degree in Business Administration from Huston-Tillotson University.

Michael Wehmeyer, PhD

Michael L. Wehmeyer, Ph.D. is professor of Special Education; director of the Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities; and associate director of the Beach Center on Disability, all at the University of Kansas. Dr. Wehmeyer has directed federally funded projects totaling in excess of $27 million conducting research and model development pertaining to the education and support of youth and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He is the author or co-author of more than 295 peer-reviewed journal articles or book chapters and has authored, co-authored, edited, or co-edited 32 books on disability and education-related issues, including issues pertaining to self-determination, positive psychology and disability, transition to adulthood, the education and inclusion of students with severe disabilities, and use of technology by people with cognitive disabilities. He is co-author of the widely used textbook, Exceptional Lives: Special Education in Today’s Schools, published by Merrill/Prentice Hall, now in its 7th Edition. His recent books include The Story of Intellectual Disability: An Evolution of Meaning, Understanding, and Public Perception (2013, Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.); and The Oxford Handbook of Positive Psychology and Disability (2013, Oxford University Press).