Janet Boucher is a Hearing Intervention Specialist/Teacher of the Deaf with over 30 years of experience in Special Education, serving students of all abilities across various settings and grade levels. Holding multiple certifications and advanced training, she also works as an advocate, consultant, life coach, professor, and interpreter. Deeply committed to her work and community, Janet finds her greatest joy in family and building meaningful connections with her students.

Nancy Boone has been a dedicated teacher and librarian at the Ohio School for the Deaf for 26 years, with previous experience in Illinois and Wisconsin. She holds degrees in Deaf Education and Library Science, and has contributed to her school community through coaching, directing, and student advocacy. Outside of school, Nancy is also an artistic ASL interpreter for concerts and theater, and enjoys reading and relaxing with her family and cats.

Erin Clegg is a dedicated advocate and leader with over 12 years of experience supporting Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, and DeafBlind communities. As Associate Director of the RIT|NTID Outreach Consortium, she leads programs that promote career exploration, STEM education, and leadership development for deaf youth, while also building strong partnerships and ensuring program compliance. With a background in community advocacy and higher education, Erin brings creativity and innovation to every initiative, fostering inclusive spaces where Deaf individuals can thrive.

Meredith Craven is the Special Programs Director at Ohio Valley Voices, with over 15 years of experience teaching listening and spoken language to children with hearing loss. She holds a B.S. in Deaf Education from Indiana University of PA and an M.E.D. from Smith College. Meredith is an active member of the OPTION Committee and is passionate about supporting families through advocacy and education, both locally and nationally.

Jessica Davies is the Director of SEL Services at the Montgomery County Educational Service Center in Dayton, Ohio, where she leads efforts to support mental wellness in schools through trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and restorative practices. A licensed school psychologist and student services administrator, she brings experience from diverse school settings across Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Ohio. Jessica is passionate about applying brain-based strategies to help students and staff thrive.

Rose Larson is culturally Deaf and fluent in American Sign Language. She has been with Deaf World Against Violence Everywhere (DWAVE) since 2013, initially serving as Advocate and Outreach Coordinator/Assistant Director before becoming Executive Director. Prior to her role at DWAVE, Rose volunteered with the organization’s Board of Trustees.

Rose is a trained Sexual Assault Response Advocate, working with DWAVE in collaboration with the Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio. She has over 11 years of experience supporting Deaf individuals with disabilities.

She holds a Registered Advocate with Advanced Standing certification in Ohio and is certified by the International Coaching Federation. Notably, Rose is believed to be the first certified forensic interviewer in Ohio and possibly nationally. She is also a national and state-level presenter, having trained advocates, police officers, nurses, and community partners.

Amanda Deeter is a Social Emotional Learning Specialist at the Montgomery County Educational Service Center in Dayton, Ohio, where she provides professional development, supports school-based mental wellness integration, and develops SEL curricula. As a licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, she specializes in working with children and adolescents, bringing experience from both clinical and educational settings. Amanda is dedicated to fostering collaboration among schools, juvenile courts, and child services to support student well-being.

Mandi Hinton, AuD, CCC-A, is an educational audiologist with Ohio Deaf and Blind Education Services, where she supports districts across Ohio through student evaluations, professional development, and collaboration between medical and educational teams. With a doctorate from The Ohio State University and over a decade of experience, Dr. Hinton is dedicated to expanding educational audiology services to meet the unique needs of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deafblind learners. Her background includes clinical work at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and specialized training through the LEND program in interdisciplinary care.

Taylor Hughes is a dedicated deaf education professional who brings both academic training and vibrant classroom energy to her role as a middle school teacher at the North Carolina School for the Deaf. She holds a B.A. in American Sign Language and an M.Ed. from Kent State University, and is passionate about fostering a love of learning through creative, student-centered teaching. Outside the classroom, Taylor is an avid reader, proud cat mom, and enthusiastic advocate for the power of education.

Megan Havens, M.Ed., is the Director of Curriculum and Instruction at St. Rita School for the Deaf, bringing 17 years of experience in Deaf education. Her background includes roles as a teacher of the Deaf, school administrator, and college instructor. She currently oversees the development and implementation of educational programs that support diverse learners' needs.

Jennifer Keen is a seasoned general education teacher with 28 years of classroom experience. She currently teaches in an integrated kindergarten setting at Willson, where she is dedicated to creating inclusive, developmentally appropriate learning environments that support the success of all students. Her long-standing commitment to early childhood education reflects her passion for fostering growth, curiosity, and collaboration in young learners.

Karen L. Kritzer, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor and Director of the Deaf Education Program at Kent State University with extensive experience teaching deaf and hard-of-hearing students from early childhood through elementary levels. Her university teaching includes courses in Deaf Studies, Language Development, and Curriculum Design, and her research focuses on mathematics education and family influences on early learning for deaf children. Dr. Kritzer has published widely and presented her work nationally and internationally.

Bio coming soon

Chris Ross, PhD, CCC-SLP,L, is an administrator for Ohio Deaf & Blind Education Services with over 30 years of experience as a speech-language pathologist, specializing in supporting children with complex communication needs. She holds a Ph.D. in Speech and Hearing Science and a license in Educational Administration, and is dedicated to creating developmentally appropriate communication systems for learners with sensory disabilities. Chris also leads efforts to ensure curriculum access for deafblind students and serves as Chair of the Deaf with Disabilities committee within the Council for Exceptional Children’s DCD division.

Kim Schlatter is a career educator of D/HH students with 42 years of experience. She is fluent in ASL and received her BS in Deaf Education from Eastern KY University, MS in Administration from the University of Dayton, and Ed.S. in Administration/Change Leadership from Gallaudet University.

Bio coming soon!

Maria Sentelik is the founding Executive Director of Ohio Valley Voices, an early intervention program for children who are deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH) and their families. With over 25 years of experience, she is a certified audiologist and recognized expert in cochlear implants and language development, having published and presented widely on the topic. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Audiology and a recipient of the 2016 Elwood Chaney Outstanding Clinician Award.

Catherine Vickery is a Deaf professional based in Northeast Ohio who specializes in supporting Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind transition-age youth. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Deaf Education and a master’s in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling. Catherine is passionate about empowering individuals to reach their full potential and thrive in all areas of life.

Bio coming soon!

Abby White is a seasoned Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing with over 15 years of experience supporting students across Southern Ohio. With a Master of Education from The Ohio State University, she is a certified Visual Phonics trainer and a passionate advocate for literacy and high-quality instruction for d/Deaf and hard of hearing learners. Now part of the Statewide Services & Outreach division, Abby collaborates with educators statewide and leads “Teacher Down the Hall,” a monthly forum for sharing strategies and resources to enhance student success.

Whitney Renee Weirick, PhD, is a nationally certified interpreter, educator, and researcher dedicated to advancing equity for deaf and hard-of-hearing students in K–12 settings. Her work focuses on how educational leadership and policy shape the professionalization of ASL interpreting, with an emphasis on interpreter supervision and leadership models that serve diverse Deaf students. As a proud community college transfer student and Mestiza scholar, she is committed to increasing cultural and linguistic diversity within the interpreting profession.

Ernest Willman is a freelance Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) based in Arizona with a diverse background in Deaf Education, ASL instruction, and interpreting. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in Deaf Education, focusing on Deaf identity, language deprivation, and interpreting. Active in the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing communities, Ernest also operates a business offering life coaching, consulting, and interpretation services.