LCSSU Organization, Administration, and Personnel

 

Our Administrative Board is comprised of the Livingston County School District Superintendents and the Regional Superintendent of Schools:

 

 

Director

Dawn Conway is the Director of Livingston County Special Services Unit. Prior to coming to LCSSU, Dawn served as a building principal of a therapeutic day program for students with severe behavior and emotional concerns. She has a BS and an MS in Education and is certified in the areas of Cognitive Disabilities, Learning Disabilities, Behavior Disorders K-12, Elementary K-9, and Language Arts. She also holds an Administrative certificate with Director of Special Education approval. Dawn serves as an instructor in Conflict Prevention Intervention training, as a member of the Regional Autism Team, and the Heart of Illinois Low Incidence Association (HILIA) Professional Development Committee plus the Executive Board. She represents LCSSU as a member of the Youth Commission and Mental Health Board. She is a regional representative on the Executive Board of Illinois Alliance of Administrators of Special Education (IAASE). She is also a member of CEC, ICEC, CASE, and Delta Kappa Gamma.

 

Assistant Director

Rose Smith is the Assistant Director of LCSSU. Her professional experiences include 20 years as a certified classroom teacher in both regular and special education in private, public, and residential school settings. Rose is certified in General Education K-8 and Special Education K-12 with an endorsement in Cognitive Disabilities. She also holds a certificate in Administration with an endorsement of Director Special Education. Rose is a member of the Assistive Technology Coalition and the Truancy Advisory Consultant. She provides consultation in the areas of Section 504, community-based instruction, and assistive technology. She is also the Coordinator for the LCSSU school programs, Chairs the LCSSU Summer Institute Committee and serves as a Program Supervisor.

 

Program Supervisors

Julia Cotter is the Program Supervisor for related services, speech and language, and the early childhood education programs. She is the Coordinator of the Regional Autism Team, Chairs the Local Interagency Council, and Preschool Screening Teams. Julie is currently Co-Chair of the GEM3 Registration Conference Committee for early childhood educators and providers. She has a BS in Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, an MS in Speech and Language Impaired, and holds certification in Elementary Education, Learning Disabilities, Speech and Language Disorders. She is also endorsed in the areas of supervision and Early Childhood Special Education. She coordinates the LCSSU web site, sits on the State-wide Transition from 0-3 to School Programs Committee and on the Board of the local CCRRN.

Thomas Proctor is a Program Supervisor and Principal of the LCSSU school programs. Thom is a certified Crisis Prevention Institute instructor and a member of the Regional Autism Team. He also co-coordinates the LCSSU website and provides consultation in the areas of behavior management and instructional technology. Thom earned a BS in Special Education and an MS in Educational Administration. He holds certification in the areas of Elementary and Secondary Education with endorsements in Learning Disabilities, Behavior Disorders, and Cognitive Disabilities. He also holds an Administrative certificate with an endorsement in Director of Special Education. His experience includes 10 years as a special education teacher in public, non-public, and residential type settings; along with three years of special education administration. Thom is a member of the Council for Exceptional Children, the Illinois Principal Association, and the Illinois Alliance of Administrators of Special Education.

Caryl McCoy is a Program Supervisor for the Transition from School to Work Project for all students aged 14 1/2 to 21 years. Caryl works throughout all of the junior high and senior high school programs in the LCSSU co-operative. Caryl is the STEP grant coordinator and Co-chair of the Livingston County Transition Planning Committee. Caryl is a member of the Illinois Association for Career and Technical Education and the Illinois Alliance of Administrators of Special Education. She holds both a BA and MS degree in Elementary Education and an MS in Special Education with an endorsement in Administration. Caryl has served as a Principal of a therapeutic day program for students with severe behavior and emotional concerns and has taught in both the general education and special education classroom.

Christina Butterbrodt is a Program Supervisor. She has 11 years experience as an early childhood special education teacher. Tina is a Work Sampling System-Illinois trainer for the State and a Chairperson of the GEM Conference Committee. Her education includes a BS in Early Childhood Education and an MS in Educational Administration. Tina is part of the Summer Institute Committee, and offers consultation in the areas of screening and early childhood special education.

Kristin Elliott is a Program Supervisor and Assistant Principal to the LCSSU school programs. She has 12 years of classroom teaching and administrative experience. She holds a BA in Elementary Education, with LBS I certification. She has a MS in Educational Administration. Kristin provides consultation to programs serving students with Cognitive Disabilities and is the Alternate Assessment Coordinator. She is and Illinois State Board of Education Liaison and a member of the Statewide Task Force in the area of Alternate Assessment. Kristin assists in trainings and has experience in the evaluation of Alternate Assessment portfolios. She also assists with the Summer Institute. Kristin is a member of Illinois Alliance of Administrators of Special Education.

Amber Jordan is a Program Supervisor. She received her BS in Special Education from Northern Illinois University and her Masters degree in Educational Administration from Illinois State University. Amber is a member of the Regional Autism Team and is the Treasurer for the GEM Conference. Previous experience includes seven years of teaching within the SAILS program. 

 

Support Staff

Jean Corrigan is our "front line" person at LCSSU. In addition to her responsibility of managing the front desk and as the office receptionist, she prepares and disseminates evaluation assessment reports.

Melinda Eymann serves as the LCSSU bookkeeper. Melinda processes payroll and expense records, maintains the general ledger, and prepares quarterly expenditure reports for federal grants and Medicaid. Preparation of assessment billings to member districts, annual budgets, and federal grants are also part of Melinda's duties. She holds a BS in Business Finance.

Kathy Legner serves as Records Custodian. She maintains the special education files for Livingston County. Kathy also serves as the secretary for the Livingston County Academy. Kathy holds a BA and MS degrees in Music Education and serves as the music teacher for the Livingston County Academy.

Lori Mecikalski is the front desk receptionist and secretary of the Crossroads School program. Lori has a BS degree in Child Development and Family Life with a minor in Psychology and Art.

Sandy Pool assists the Director with all LCSSU Administrative Board meeting materials, correspondence, LCSSU personnel contracts, and newsletters. She also assists the Program Supervisors in the coordination of in-service activities and maintains special education records.

Kim Cox is the Preschool Screenings Coordinator for Livingston County. She is a member of the GEM Conference Committee and is Co-Chair of GEM registration. She sits on the Livingston County Local Interagency Council (LCLIC) and is Co-Chair for the LCLIC Picnic for families. Kim has an Associate of Science degree in Nursing and an Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education. In addition to her formal education, Kim has also received specialized training in the area of Autism. Kim works directly with the Public Health Department and other local early intervention agencies in providing screenings for children ages birth through five. She also works with a variety of other local agencies, doctor offices, and churches inorder to provide information to families on available early childhood services within Livingston County.

Dean Lankton heads the LCSSU technology department.

Richard Fosdick is the custodian at LCSSU.

 

Vocational Programming

Pam Posey provides job development, specialized training, and ongoing support for students with disabilities in Livingston County. Other duties include vocational evaluations and assisting with transition planning and services. She sits on the Livingston County Transition Planning Committee. Pam is a member of Illinois Association for Career and Technical Educators and the Workforce Investment Act local board. She holds a BS in Education and a MS in Special Education.

 

S.A.I.L.S. (Strategies for Achieving Independent Lives for Students) Program

Carissa Webster teaches in the S.A.I.L.S. program classroom.

Sharon Schneider is the Paraprofessional for the S.A.I.L.S. program at LCSSU. She has a Bachelors degree in Education and has received specialized training in the areas of Autism, Pervasive Development Disorders and Communication Disorders.

 

Livingston County Academy School

April Triplett-Schneeman is the teacher in the upper primary class at Livingston County Academy. April holds a BS in Special Education and is certified to teach Learning Disabilities and Emotional Disorders, grades K-12.

Tammy Fairley teaches the primary classroom students at Livingston County Academy. She received a BS in Special Education and is certified to teach Learning Disabilities and Behavior Disorders grades K-12.

Judy Townsend is a paraprofessional in the primary classroom at Livingston County Academy. 

Jessica Melvin is a paraprofessional in the Livingston County Academy.

 

Crossroads Academy School 

Diane Cotter is a teacher at the Crossroads Academy.

Matthew Medbourn is a teacher at Crossroads.

Ed Sinclair is a teacher at the Crossroads program.  

Dan Erwin is the Physical Education teacher for the Livingston County Academy and the Physical Education, Health, and Driver's Education teacher for the Crossroads Academy. He holds a BS degree in Adapted Physical Education and Health Education, and is certified in Driver's Education. Dan is also CDL certified.

Kathy Kelly is the school social worker assigned to the Crossroads program. She provides behavioral and crisis intervention, along with counseling services. She holds licensure in this area and is certified by the State of Illinois.

Jo Lindsay is a paraprofessional at Crossroads.

Debbie Clardy is a paraprofessional in the Crossroads program.

Jen Pfeifer is a paraprofessional.  

Travis Simmons serves as a paraprofessional and substitute teacher the Crossroads Academy. He holds a BA degree in Fine Arts and holds a substitute teaching certificate.

Louann Shuler is a paraprofessional at Crossroads.

 

School Social Workers

Linda Anderson is a School Social Worker and provides individual and group counseling, teaches social skills, and is part of multi-disciplinary teams assessing children and providing interventions. She is active in encouraging parental involvement and provides consultation to school staff. She has a MS degree in Social Work from Aurora University.

Tanya Bell is a School Social Worker and provides individual and group counseling, teaches social skills, assesses children and provides interventions. She has a background in child welfare. Tanya holds a BS degree in Public Health Education and a MSW in School Social Work.

Kate Fagan-Nelson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a background in mental health issues and psychotropic medications. She holds an MS in Social Work. Kate conducts assessments for students, provides individual counseling, group therapy, and consultation.

Maureen Hopkins-Drach conducts assessments and provides individual counseling and consultations. She holds a BA degree and a MSW in School Social Work. Maureen is a member of the Illinois Association of School Social Workers.

Jody Norman is a School Social Worker for LCSSU. She participates on problem-solving teams, conducts assessments, and provides counseling to students. She has an Associate degree in Criminal Justice, a BA in Social Work and an MSW degree. Jodi has experience in the areas of social skills training, truancy prevention, corrections, violence prevention and substance abuse prevention.

Becky Spencer participates on building-based teams, assessment, and direct services to students. Becky holds an MSW degree in School Social Work and is a licensed by the State of Illinois in School Social Work.

 

School Psychologists

Melissa Kerber-Long earned a BA in Psychology and a Specialist degree in School Psychology. She is engaged in collaborative consultation with parents, teachers, and staff. She is also involved in ongoing problem-solving, data collection, norm development, individualized assessment, counseling and social skills training. She is a member of the Illinois School Psychologist Association and the National Association of School Psychologists.

Tanya Milanowski is involved in consulting with teachers, principals, parents/guardians, students, and other school personnel. She serves on building-based problem solving teams and provides counseling and in-service training to school personnel. Tanya earned a BS in Sociology/Psychology from Northland College of Wisconsin, and an MS in School Psychology from the University of Wisconsin. She also holds a certificate in Administration. Tanya is a member of the National Association of School Psychologists. 

Sue Peters serves LCSSU as a School Psychologist. She is involved in problem-solving teams, case study evaluations, individual counseling, teacher and parent consultation, and group therapy. She has had involvement with the Illinois Alternative Assessment. She earned a BS in Psychology and Special Education. She also holds a Specialist degree in School Psychology. She is a member of the Illinois School Psychologists Association and the National Association of School Psychologists.

Brent Sylvester serves LCSSU as a School Psychologist. Brent holds both BS and MS degrees in Psychology and has recently completed his PhD in Psychology. He serves as a Regional Trainer for the Illinois Positive Behavior Intervention and Support Network. He also provides consultation in the areas of pediatric psychology, parent development and parent-child interactions, and neuropsychological assessment.

Melissa McClelland is a School Psychologist. She has a Specialist degree in school Psychology. Her assignments include working with teams and students within her assigned buildings.

 

Occupational Therapy

Sue Andresen is a Registered Occupational Therapist and holds a BS degree in Occupational Therapy. She is licensed in both Illinois and North Carolina. Sue is certified through the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapists and supervises the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants throughout the county.

Christine Stark is a Registered Occupational Therapist.

Tammy Walker is a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant. She is licensed through the State of Illinois.

Faye Clark is a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant. She holds an Associates degree in this area and is licensed in the State of Illinois.

Cheryle Hudelson is a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant. She holds an Associates degree in Applied Science in the area of Occupational Therapy from Illinois Central College. She is licensed through the State of Illinois.

 

Speech Language Therapy

Ellen Horton is a Speech/Language Pathologist for LCSSU. She provides a wide range of therapy services to students with communication needs. Ellen holds a BS in Speech Pathology and a Masters in Communication Disorders. She holds a certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech/Language Hearing Association (ASHA), and is a member of the ASHE Special Interest Division #2: Augmentative Alternative Communication.

Mary Billington is a Speech/Language Pathologist.

Mary Kelso provides direct service/consultation in Speech Language therapy for LCSSU. She holds a BS degree and full certification in Speech Language Impairments along with endorsements in Learning Disabilities and Cognitive Impairment. Mary is approved by ISBE as a pre-vocational coordinator. In addition, Mary has had experience in grading ISAT essays and in test development for the AGS/Pearson company.

Nicole Oelschlager is a Speech Language Therapist Assistant. Nicole earned her BS degree from Eastern Illinois State University.

Daniel Pisterzi is a Speech Language Therapist Assistant for LCSSU and has a BHS degree in Communication Disorders from Governors State University in Illinois.

Christine Zinn is a Speech Language Therapist Assistant. She has a BS degree from Illinois State University.

 

Please refer to Staff Assignments for further information on staff assignments within the LCSSU districts.