The Speakers

Dr. Noleen Clark

Dr. Noleen Clark is a Special Education Professional Development Coordinator for the University of Mississippi and the Mississippi Department of Education. Dr. Clark has 20 years of experience in education in various school/district roles and at the state level. She is very passionate about services for students with disabilities and providing support to educators throughout the state for the overall success of ALL students!

Juanita Christian

Nita Christian currently serves as an SSIP (State Systemic Improvement Plan) Regional Literacy Coordinator for the Office of Special Education at the Mississippi Department of Education. She has 32 years of experience in education. For most of her career, she taught kindergarten through fourth grade in Alabama. More recently, Ms. Christian has served as a District Literacy Coach, Lead Teacher, and MTSS Coordinator.

Kenneth Gibson

Kenny Gibson currently serves an as SSIP (State Systemic Improvement Plan) Literacy Coach (K-3) for the Office of Special Education at the MDE, providing support to elementary inclusion and general education teachers and staff through job-embedded professional development and coaching. Previously, Mr. Gibson served as a Literacy Coach and as a Regional Literacy Coordinator for the MDE in the Office of Elementary Education and Reading.

Denise Harrison

Denise Harrison is a Special Education Professional Development Coordinator with the Mississippi Department of Education and the University of Mississippi. She has been in the field of education for over 25 years. Mrs. Harrison earned her Master of Education in Special Education from Arkansas State University. Denise is pursuing her Doctor of Philosophy degree in Special Education from the University of Mississippi.

Erin Hendricks

Erin Hendricks is an Educational Specialist with 18 years of experience in Special Education, currently serving as a Professional Development Coordinator of Equity and Inclusion with the University of Mississippi and the Mississippi Department of Education. In previous years, she has served as a community-based teacher, inclusion teacher, positive behavior specialist, and supervisor of behavioral services.

Kristi Higginbotham

Kristi Higginbotham is a Special Education Professional Development Coordinator in the area of Visual Impairment with the University of Mississippi and the Mississippi Department of Education. With over 20 years in education, she has a Master of Education degree from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Rufus Hill

Rufus D. Hill is the State K-12 Math Coaching Director for the Mississippi Department of Education. He is a veteran educator with experience as a Math Teacher, District Math Coach, and Elementary and Middle School Principal. Mr. Hill is a graduate of Alabama A&M University (BSEE) and Delta State University (MAT), and (Ed.S).

Megan Hodge

Megan Hodge currently serves as the 5-12 Science Professional Development Coordinator for the University of Mississippi and the Mississippi Department of Education. Prior to joining the MDE, she was a biology teacher and middle school instructional coach for nine years. Mrs. Hodge is a doctoral student at Clemson University, seeking her degree in Teaching and Learning in Science Education.

Christy Hunt

Christy Hunt, a professional development coordinator for the University of Mississippi and the Mississippi Department of Education, has more than twenty-two years of experience working with students, educators, and leaders. She has been a general education and special education teacher, faculty member of the University of Tennessee, educational advocate, and professional development provider in both Tennessee and Mississippi.

Laquita Moore

Laquita Moore currently serves as the Lead Implementation Specialist in Special Education for the University of Mississippi and the Mississippi Department of Education. She has 24 years of educational experience in the state of Mississippi. Ms. Moore has served as a special education teacher, principal, and Director of Special Education.

Marlena Nance

Marlena Nance works for the Mississippi Department of Education as the State Math 3-5 Coaching Coordinator. She is a graduate of the University of West Alabama where she earned her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. Later she attended Mississippi University for Women where she earned a Highly Certified in Mathematics endorsement. Prior to joining the MDE, Mrs. Nance was a veteran teacher of 16 years, teaching grades 3-6.

Dr. Sarieta Pollard

Dr. Sarieta H. Pollard is a Professional Development Coordinator in Special Education for the University of Mississippi and the Mississippi Department of Education. She has been in the field of Special Education for over 24 years, serving as a Director of Disabilities, an educator/leader in special education, a consultant, and an Adjunct Instructor in Special Education.

Kimberly Price

As a research-based instructional strategist with over 18 years of classroom experience, Kimberly Price currently serves as a professional development coordinator of mathematics for the University of Mississippi and the Mississippi Department of Education. Mrs. Price aspires to deliver high-quality professional learning experiences to educators through cross-curriculum student engagement strategies & activities that support both students and teachers.

Courtney Sheriff

Courtney Sheriff has over 26 years of experience in the educational field. She has been a classroom teacher, Instructional Specialist, Director of Literacy, Principal, and currently serves as the State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) Literacy Coordinator (K-8) Educator in Residence for the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE), Office of Special Education (OSE).

Mona Spells Adou

Mona Spells Adou is the Director of Parent Engagement and Dispute Resolution for the Office of Special Education at the Mississippi Department of Education. She joined the MDE in September 2009. Mrs. Spells Adou provides professional development to teachers, administrators, and related service personnel on procedural safeguards and increasing parent engagement on the district level.

Melanie Watkins

Melanie Watkins is an elementary ELA Professional Development Coordinator with Ole Miss and the MDE. With over twenty years in education, she is a National Board-Certified Teacher in Early and Middle Childhood Literacy and earned her Master of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Mississippi College.

Kandra Wilkins

Kandra Wilkins is a Secondary Math Professional Development Coordinator for The Mississippi Department of Education and The University of Mississippi. Ms. Wilkins has been a high school math teacher for 13 years. She received her specialist degree in Educational Leadership for K-12 from Mississippi College. Ms. Wilkins also has experience in assessments.

Kanequa Willis

Kanequa Dismuke Willis is the State K-5 Math Coaching Coordinator for the Mississippi Department of Education. She has worked in education for 7 years and enjoys using her skills to contribute to building educator and student capacity. Mrs. Willis served in the capacity of elementary math teacher, MTSS coordinator, and K-6 Math Interventionist prior to joining the MDE.

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