Presenter+Bios

**2011 Summer Leadership Academy Presenter Bios** **Loujeania Williams Bost, Ph. D.** is the Director of the National Dropout Prevention Center for Students with Disabilities at Clemson University. Dr. Bost is responsible for all operational aspects of the Center, including the development of strategic partnerships. Her specialties include dropout prevention, middle school literacy, learning disabilities, regulatory compliance, and special education. Dr. Bost holds a Ph.D. in Special Education from Penn State University. She has worked with students with disabilities and special education personnel in several states including 13 years with the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education. She was the Bureau of Special Education Division Chief for the central region in Pennsylvania prior to moving to South Carolina.

**Jeannine H. Brinkley** began her work in the field of special education as a paraprofessional and then a teacher at the Western PA School for Blind Children. After working for several years as a Research Associate at the University of Pittsburgh, she moved into a technical assistance role focusing on students with complex needs. Jeannine has worked as a technical assistance provider at the State and Regional levels at PaTTAN and the Allegheny Intermediate Unit for 21 years. The focus of her work has been on Inclusive Educational Practices – in particular, focusing on students with the most complex needs. In addition, she has been involved in various roles implementing Federal grants, such as: Principal’s Project, Statewide Systems Change Grant for PA and Tri-State Consortium on PBS. Jeannine has been adjunct faculty at the University of Pittsburgh. For the past five years, she has served as the lead on PDE’s implementation of the Gaskin Settlement Agreement and is currently the State lead for Inclusive Practices work, as well as working on professional development regarding effective educational practices for students with complex support needs.

**Cecil Crouch** is an educational consultant for the PA Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) located in Harrisburg, PA. His major areas of focus include Special Education Law, Leadership, RtII, and Mathematics. He has presented across the state as well as nationally on a variety of topics. Cecil has work experience and/or certifications in the areas of elementary education, special education and special education supervision.

** Malcolm Conner, ** Ph. D**.** received his doctorate from Rutgers University. He spent several years working in New Jersey as a principal, assistant superintendent and superintendent. He also served as a business administrator and board secretary. Dr. Conner is currently an advisor for the Bureau of Special Education.

**Leigh Dennick** is the Assistant Director of Special Education for Intermediate Unit 1. Leigh has over 23 years experience in special education and special education supervision. She has participated in the PA Special Education Fellowship, is a trained Special Education Monitor and NCI trainer. Leigh has assisted the local districts in many ways, one of which is the development of an EBR tool for districts to use for professional development. Leigh is also a member of PASA and CEC. She has presented at CEC and in various school districts on a variety of topics.

**Tracy L. Ficca** is an educational consultant with the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. She is currently statewide lead in Mathematics and provides technical assistance to school districts and intermediate units in the areas of the Standards Aligned System in Pennsylvania, the PA Classroom Diagnostic Tool, PA Positive Behavior Instructional Supports, effective instruction, school improvement, use of data, mathematics and differentiated instruction. Tracy holds a Master of Education Degree in Developmental Strategies and Instructional Design from Wilkes University, as well as a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary and Special Education from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. She also holds a certification as a Reading Specialist and a Principal's certification earned through Cabrini College. Prior to working as an educational consultant, Tracy's professional employment experience was in both regular and special education for ten years, where she also served in the role of assistant principal.

**Becky Fogle** is an Educational Consultant with the PaTTAN office in King of Prussia. Before joining PaTTAN, she served as a Special Education Administrator in Lebanon and Montgomery County School Districts. She has classroom experience with students of varied age levels and educational needs. She has taught in Michigan and Pennsylvania as a Special Education teacher and an early elementary Reading Specialist. Her education background includes an undergraduate degree in General and Special Education from Michigan State University, a Master’s Degree in Teaching and Curriculum with Reading Specialist concentration from Pennsylvania State University, and she completed her Special Education Supervisory Certification work at Millersville University. Becky is the younger sibling of an adult brother with complex support needs, and she and her husband are parents to a young adult son with physical and medical disabilities who is currently in graduate school, as well as two other sons who are currently in college.

** Betsy Gustafson, Ed. D. ** is the Assistant Superintendent for Special Education in the Pocono Mountain School District. Dr. Gustafson has worked in the Pocono Mountain School District for 20 years as an IST teacher, Educational Consultant, Assistant Principal, and now as an Assistant Superintendent for Special Education. She currently participates in the PA Special Education Fellowship Program, Mentor to Mastery Program, and is an Adjunct Professor for Wilkes University teaching graduate courses in Special Education. In addition to her job responsibilities and teaching responsibilities, Dr. Gustafson has been a Peer Reviewer for the book //Wrightslaw: All about IEPs//, and serves as an administrative member on the Local Special Education Task Force. Her degrees include a Bachelor of Science Degree in Special Education, Master of Education Degree, Reading Specialist Certification, Special Education Supervisory Certification, Principal Certification, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. She is a member of several professional organizations including ASCD, PASA, LDA, and CEC. Dr. Gustafson lives in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania with her husband Ken and has a daughter, Jamie, who lives in Dallas, Texas.

**Diane Funsten**, M. Ed., is an educational consultant with the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) in King of Prussia. Diane's areas of concentration include Response to Instruction and Intervention, Schoolwide Positive Behavior Supports, Pennsylvania Value-Added Assessment System, and Distinguished School Leaders/School Improvement. She is the PaTTAN lead consultant on the Procedural Safeguards initiative. Diane is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Prior to working at PaTTAN, Diane was a classroom teacher in emotional and learning support classrooms.

**Ann Hinkson-Herrmann** is an Educational Consultant with the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network. She serves as the statewide co-lead for special education leadership. Her other areas of concentration include RtII, Procedural Safeguards, PVAAS, and School Improvement. She has served over 25 years in the public school system as a special education teacher at both the elementary and secondary level, a director of special education, and assistant superintendent. She has served as a consultant for 11 years.

**Sue Ann Houser MA ** is an educational consultant with the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) in King of Prussia. She provides technical assistance to school districts and intermediate units in the areas of the Standards Aligned System in Pennsylvania, literacy, programs educating students who are deaf or hard of hearing, and educational sign language interpreters. Sue Ann is a Pennsylvania Certified Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS). She earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and Master of Arts degree in School Counseling and Guidance K - 12 from Gallaudet University, Washington, DC.

**Patricia Hozella** currently serves as the Assistant Director for the Bureau of Special Education. She previously served as a Division Chief and Special Education Adviser with the Bureau of Special Education investigating complaints, conducting special education monitoring, reviewing special education plans, and policy issues. Pat began her career in special education working for 13 years as a special education teacher of students in emotional support and learning support classes.

**Sharon Leonard** is an Educational Consultant at PaTTAN, Harrisburg, working with Pennsylvania’s Inclusive Practices Project. She has a total of 30 years experience in education. Sharon taught in the classroom for 19 years before providing technical assistance and training in the area of inclusive practices, as a Special Education Consultant with IU 13. In 2006, she was recognized for her service and dedication in the field of education by receiving the Annie Sullivan Award. Today, Sharon continues to work closely with national leaders, researchers, and PA school districts to make system wide changes in the area of educating all students with disabilities in general education classrooms

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: normal;">**Greg Llewellyn** is a School Psychologist and Educational Consultant for the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network. He has specialized in assessment and interventions for students with behavior disorders. In addition, he provides support to school-based problem solving teams, School-wide Positive Behavior Supports, as well as response to intervention strategies. He is the co-author of __Screening for Understanding of Student Problem Behavior...//An Initial Line of Inquiry.//__ He is the recipient the 2004 TASH Positive Behavior Approaches Award. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">**Kara J. Martin, M. Ed** is a Supervisor of Special Education employed by Eastern Lancaster County School District. She holds a B.A. in Special Education and Elementary with a Psychology minor from Millersville University and a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Development from Penn State University. She holds a certification in Supervisory of Special Education from Millersville University. In her 17 year public education career, her positions have included classroom teacher, Special Education Consultant, Staff Developer, and Supervisor of Special Education. She has worked with the ELANCO team to present on academic and behavioral topics at the local and state level.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">**Michelle MacLuckie** is the Supervisor of Special Education at the Pottsgrove School District. She has spent all of her eighteen years in education in special education. She has been a learning support teacher, a life skills teacher, has worked at the elementary, middle and high school levels as well as at a vocational school. She was also a member of the training and consulting staff for the Chester County Intermediate Unit specializing in progress monitoring and RTII prior to coming to Pottsgrove. Michelle's professional interests include international special education and she is an active volunteer for the Sebastian Kolowa University College in Tanzania.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: normal;">**Janet McCauslin** is the Director of Special Education in the Central Dauphin School District in Harrisburg, PA. She has been with Central Dauphin for twenty years as a Learning Support teacher and Special Education Supervisor prior to becoming the director. She has been trained as a Distinguished Educator and participates in the Pennsylvania Fellowship Program for Special Education Leaders. Janet oversees a department employing over 120 professional and 150 paraprofessional staff. She develops and delivers on-going professional development in numerous areas including instruction, service delivery and compliance.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: normal;">** Michel L. Miller, ** Ph. D**.** is Assistant Professor at Goodwin College: School of Education and the Director of Special Education Programs. She holds a Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of Miami and has completed extensive course work in educational administration at Widener University and Temple University. Her research interests focus on autism, special education leadership, and program evaluations. Dr. Miller is an active member, Past President of the Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE) in Pennsylvania, and serves nationally on CASE’s research committee. Dr. Miller was a Supervisor of Pupil Services with direct supervisory responsibilities over all of the district’s special education programs, which included programs for students with autism. She also has teaching experience in various special education positions.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: normal;">**Laura Moran** attended Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL with a degree in Literature and Secondary Education. Her teaching career began in Philadelphia where she prepared high school drop-outs for the GED and taught remedial reading and math for elementary students. Laura then received a Master’s degree at Teachers College, Columbia University in Sociology of Education and Educational Policy. Prior to coming to PaTTAN, Laura was an educational consultant and provided technical assistance in the area of reading and school improvement in the Mid-Atlantic States with extensive time spent supporting schools in the Chancellor’s District in New York City which was comprised of the lowest performing districts in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens. Currently, Laura Moran is an educational consultant at PaTTAN in Harrisburg and is working on several initiatives including: SAS, RtII at the Secondary and Elementary Level, School Improvement and Data Analysis, Distinguished School Leader, Standard-Aligned IEPs, and Reading. In addition, Laura is working on her Ph.D. at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Administration and Leadership Studies for the Public Sector.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: normal;">**Allen Muir** is an Educational Consultant working for the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network in Harrisburg, PA. Allen holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics from The Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Education Degree in Developmental Strategies and Instructional Design from Wilkes University. He spent over twenty-two years teaching mathematics at the middle and high school level. His role at PaTTAN includes providing training and technical assistance to schools, school districts, and intermediate units in the areas of mathematics, Response to Instruction and Intervention, school improvement, PA's Standards Aligned System, and behavior.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: normal;">** Rosemary Nilles ** is an Educational Consultant with the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network. In addition to the Leadership Initiative, her areas of concentration include Secondary Transition, Secondary Response to Instruction and Intervention (RtII), Secondary School Improvement, Positive Behavior Support, and Effective Instruction. She has served in the public schools as a special education teacher and special education administrator, working with students ranging from early intervention through high school. Rosemary is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and completed the Education Policy and Leadership Center (EPLC) Fellowship Program in 2004.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: normal;">** Donna Potis ** resides in Carbondale, Pennsylvania. She is the mother of three children and grandmother of five. Donna began her career in the education system as a teacher’s assistant. She moved on to earn her Bachelor of Science Degree with a concentration in Special Education from Marywood University. She worked at the Northeast Intermediate Unit #19 for fifteen years as a special education instructor. Donna eventually earned a Master’s Degree in Leadership and Elementary and High School Principalship from Wilkes University. She served as the principal of the Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County for a short time. For the past six years she has been the Special Education Supervisor at the Forest City Regional School District. In her leisure, Donna enjoys golf and spending quality time with her children and especially her grandchildren.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">**Frank // Repanshek //**// received a BS, M.Ed, and Supervisory Certification from Bloomsburg University. He was employed by IU 13 for 13 years as a teacher in classrooms for students with Multi-disabilities, Secondary Life Skills Vocational Training, as well as an Itinerant Master Teacher providing consultation to IU staff and districts throughout IU 13. Frank has also been employed by Lebanon School District for 22 years, where he taught High School Learning Support, and has been the Director of Special Education, where he has focused on developing and maintaining programs in the Lebanon School District for Lebanon students. Frank is also the husband of an Early Intervention Teacher, the father of a Computer Engineer, an Emergency Room Physician and a Teacher of Music. //

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: normal;">** Gina R. Scala, ** Ed.D. is the Chair of the Special Education/Rehabilitation Department at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania. She teaches in the undergraduate and graduate programs. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Dr. Scala is a partner in the Professional Development School model across various university programs. She has developed a number of partnerships with school districts integrating her students in a variety of capacities as an Apprentice I, Apprentice II, and Resident Student Teacher. She is involved in numerous University related committees and initiatives. She has been reappointed to the Special Education Advisory Panel (SEAP) for her second term by the Governor of Pennsylvania. Her involvement in State CEC has been across many subdivisions as elected positions as well as volunteer roles. She is currently the interim President of PaCASE and has been appointed to the position of Research Liaison for Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE). Dr. Scala is a member of the Office of Dispute Resolution (ODR) stakeholders group in PA as well as the Creating Agreement Initiative. Dr. Scala is a compliance monitor for PA and a program reviewer for the Bureau of Teacher Certification. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: normal;">Prior to becoming an ESU faculty member, Dr. Scala worked at Centennial School/Lehigh University as a teacher, liaison, supervisor, and acting director. Dr. Scala received her BS degree from Bloomsburg University, her M.Ed., Ed.S., & Ed.D. from Lehigh University, in addition to a number of professional certifications. Dr. Scala presents frequently at many venues at state and national levels. She is the wife of Gabriel Scala, and the mother of Francesca and Lexi, as well as her dog, Armando.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">**Michael Stoehr** works for the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PATTAN) as the lead educational consultant for Secondary Transition. He has worked in the special education field for the past 26 years and has extensive experience in the areas of secondary transition, assessment, job analysis, and job coaching. Mr. Stoehr has presented extensively throughout Pennsylvania and nationally on a variety of topics including: transition communities of practice, effective transition planning, interagency collaboration, and youth engagement and self-advocacy.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: normal;">**Donna Westbrooks-Martin** MA, CCC/SLP is an educational consultant with the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN). Her areas of concentration include leadership, school improvement, procedural safeguards, behavior, and speech and language. Donna has worked as a kindergarten teacher in a speech/language support classroom, an itinerant speech and language clinician and a special education supervisor with Pittsburgh Public Schools for 19 years prior to coming to PaTTAN. Donna attended the University of Pittsburgh where her undergraduate and graduate studies focused on Communication Disorders and Speech-Language Pathology. She holds a Pennsylvania certificate in Teaching the Speech and Language Impaired as well as Special Education Supervision. Donna is licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and is certified by the American Speech Language and Hearing.