Our Team
Special Programs Director
Phyllis Campano (she/her)
pcampano@washingtonea.org
253-765-7106
Phyllis Campano is the Special Populations Program Coordinator with the Center for Education Quality. Phyllis has been a classroom educator for over 22 years. She began her career as Director of group residences for adults with the Northshore Arc in Massachusetts. Phyllis became a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant working in public schools and Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centers. Upon moving to Washington State in 2001, she became a special education educator. She received her Master’s in Teaching from Heritage University under an emergency certification program. Phyllis has also served as local governance with the Seattle Education Association. Phyllis has come to WEA with experience as a classroom educator, community organizer, and administrator.
Special Education Cadre
Roberta Alexander
Teacher
Roberta teaches 6th Grade at Waller Road Elementary in the Puyallup School District. Although relatively new to teaching (6th year), she loves it. Prior to teaching, Roberta worked in independent sales. She also worked for DSHS 16 years at a WA State developmental center providing private, in-home, autistic adult care services for Region Five. She loves people and interactions on all levels and arenas. Roberta is thankful for opportunity to be a part of the SESC Cadre and has found it to be “amazing”.
Sherlunda Anderson-Smith
Special Education Teacher
Sherlunda is a special education teacher at North Middle School in the Everett School District.
Jennifer (Stevens) Bendix
Special Education Teacher
Jennifer has 6 years experience in emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) and 8 years as a Resource Teacher at Juanita High School in the Lake Washington School District – currently, the Special Education Department Leader at her school, a member of the district’s Special Education Advisory Board, and the high school education representative for the ELA adoption committee. Her areas of specialty/expertise are related to Behavior and Autism.
Melody Birch
Special Education Coach
Melody works in the Bellevue School District; supporting special education teachers through professional development, developing IEPs and BIPs, creating resources, etc. Previously, she was an Instructional Mentor for special and general education teachers. Melody has taught in resource rooms, self-contained classrooms, preschools, and transition. She has a Master’s Degree in Special Education, Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, and a National Board Certified Teacher.
Joanna Blanchard
Occupational Therapist
Joanna has been a pediatric occupational therapist for 24 years in schools, hospitals, and private practice in Southwest Washington; specializing in sensory processing, behavioral health, support, and advocacy for families. Having two sons with autism changed her perspective, practice, and approach radically; believing that the student and their family are the most important people at the IEP table. She views therapy as a triad with caregivers, client (student) and therapist. Other passionsate inclue horticulture – a Master Gardener with a tiny Christmas Tree Farm in her backyard. Joanna currently is chair of the Family Advocay Team.
Rachael Brunson
5th Grade Teacher
Rachael is a fifth grade teacher for the Kittitas School District. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Central Washington University, and a Master’s Degree from Heritage University. She is endorsed in both Early Childhood General Education, and Early Childhood Special Education. Over her career, Rachael has taught in an integrated second grade classroom, a developmental preschool, a resource room, a group home for incarcerated juveniles, and in 5th grade. She has been with the Cadre since 2021.
Amy Campbell
Special Education Teacher
Amy has been teaching at Helen Baller Elementary in the Camas for 13 years, collaborating with staff, families, and community to develop individualized plans that focus on each student’s unique skills, abilities, and interests to help them find their place among their peers in the school community. She also collaborates with state agencies and organizations to educate and advocate for educational equity. Amy was recognized as WA State’s 2020 Teacher of the Year.
Benjamin Constantino
General Education Teacher
Benjamin currently serves as a secondary mathematics educator in Pierce County, working with middle school and high school students. Having graduated from the University of Portland with a Bachelor’s, Benjamin explored public service in education as a multi-term AmeriCorps VISTA member before returning to complete a Masters in Teaching from Concordia University.
Jamie Coonts
Arc Executive Director
While learning the ropes of being a parent to a medically complex child, Jamie developed a heart for families and individuals doing the same. This led her to her job at the Arc. She has worked for the Arc of Snohomish County for over 18 years. In the position of Executive Director Director she uses her talents to walk alongside and create positive change for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families with resources and educational opportunities. Jamie also manages the Family Advocacy Team pages on this website.
Brenda Cunningham
Special Education Teacher
Brenda starting out studying cardiology, but kept getting “bumped into other programs and somehow just could not get out of the education classes that were being offered.” She has held a number of positions with the Spokane Public Schools, since 1998: Resource Math – High School, Multi-handicapped, Orthopedically Handicapped – Elementary Level, and Special Education, Self-contained – Middle School.
Dameon Ellis
Intervention and Rehabilitation Specialist
Dameon served as an Intervention Team Assistant for Kent School District and a Para Educator in the ASC, currently working as a Mall Safety Mentor for Glover Empower Mentoring, and a Rehabilitation Technician for DSHS. He has developed academic transfer career/technical, developmental and high school/GED options, and has experience with with various developmental disabilities and behavior issues. As a Mall Safety Mentor, he assisted youth in linking career and life goals to educational programs. He has trained others on how to work with the developmentally disabled, de-escalation, and the safety techniques. Dameon also serves as a member of the Family Advocacy Team.
Aneeka Ferrell
Substitute Coordinator
Aneeka hires, onboards, and coordinates all aspects of the Substitute Office for the Renton School District. She is a cadre member of the NEA ESP Leadership Institute and NEA Educator Diversity Collective. She’s active in the Renton Professional Technical Association and Rainier Uniserv Council. Aneeka is a core team member for the Rainier Educators of Color Network Equity Team and a certified lead trainer in the areas of Implicit Bias and Equity. She holds a double master’s degree in Business and Public Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in Communications.
Joan Fleming
Teacher, 7th Grade Core
Joan taught high school resource room and elementary general education. She currently teaches 7th-grade core literacy and reading intervention classes. With this broad educational background serving students at various levels, Joan has developed a deep understanding of student supports needed to gain access to standards. Research passions include UDL, standards, John Hattie’s Visible Learning, High Leverage Practices, and how these elements of education intersect with equity to provide the best outcomes for all students.
Rebecca Fry
Educational Consultant
Rebecca previously worked as a Special Education teacher and a K-12 Life Skills coordinator in the Bellevue School District. She holds a BS in K-6 Primary Collaboration and Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE), a masters degree in ECSE, and a masters in Administration. Rebecca is Nationally Board Certified in the area of ECYA/ENS Sever/Multiple for ages-21 and has worked in a multitude of environments fron K-12 to higher ed. She has served as a head coach for Special Olympics for 10+ years.
Jordan Gere
Life Skills Teacher
Jordan is a High School Life Skills Teacher at Glacier Peak High School in the Snohomish School District. He works with students with moderate and significant disabilities. Jordan earned his Bachelor’s degree from Central Washington University and a Master’s degree from Purdue University. When he is not teaching, he coaches High School and Middle School Wrestling. He has also been in the Coast Guard for 17 years.
Suzanne Gladsjo
SLP, Wenatchee School District
Suzanne has a Masters Degree in Speech and Language Pathology from Nova Southeastern University, and Bachelors Degrees in Elementary Education and Communication Disorders from Eastern Washington University. She has 24 years experience in K-12 education: 9 years as a General Ed Teacher in a variety of grade levels, and 15 years as a Speech-Language Pathologist.
Alfonso Gonzalez
STEM/Science/Math Teacher
Al has been teaching Science, STEM, and Math for 31 years; currently teaching 5th and 6th grade STEM at Chimacum Elementary. He was National Board Certified Early Adolescent Generalist, in 2004. Al has received 49 grants to enhance the classroom experience through outdoor field science work. He has certifications as a Google Educator Level 2, Classcraft Ambassador and Educator Level 2, Pear Deck Ambassador, Bloomz Ambassador, Minecraft Global Mentor, and Esports Leader; and was named NCCE’s Outstanding Technology Educator of the Year in 2021.
Brittany Hernandez
Elementary Special Education TOSA
Brittany is currently an elementary SPED TOSA in the Bethel School District, where she works to support new special education teachers and support special education students in elementary buildings across the district. Beginning her career as a SPED para-educator, she got her Bachelors and became a teacher in Puyallup leading a self-contained Kindergarten program. She then taught an Autism program for grades K-3, and then switched to general education to teach fourth grade. Along the way, she got her Masters and is now applying for administration programs. She has proudly served as an IPP trainer since 2021.
Mindy Hoffman
TOSA, Mentor for new SpEd Teachers
Mindy teaches Special Education in the Kennewick School District. Throughout her career, she has held several teaching positions including: middle school resource teacher and inclusion teacher, elementary life skills teacher, and elementary resource room teacher. Mindy is currently a full-time mentor teacher, facilitating the development of new-career special education teachers. With her Master’s in Elementary Math Education, Mindy also has taught Math and Science, in the Early Education department at Columbia Basin College.
Colleen Homola
General Education Teacher, Battle Ground
Colleen earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Michigan Technological University and began her teaching career in Michigan. For more than two decades, she has been teaching at Prairie High School in Vancouver, WA. Colleen especially enjoys teaching Geometry and AP Statistics. She recently earned a Master’s in Educational Leadership/Administration and regularly participates on math leadership teams. Colleen serves on several Extended Workshop Design Teams and is a member of the Family Advocacy Team.
Erinn Hubbard
Secondary ELA/EL Teacher
Erinn has taught English Language Arts at both the middle and high school levels for seventeen years. She is a National Board Certified teacher who has recently earned her EL endorsement and currently works in the Mukilteo School District. Erinn has several years of experience co-teaching with special education teachers and worked to provide the most inclusive setting possible for her students by integrating HLP, SDI, and UDL into her instruction. She passionately believes that all students can be successful in a mainstream classroom.
Shelly Hurley
Special Education Mentor
Shelly worked as a Special Education teacher in Seattle Public Schools before becoming a full-time release special education mentor. For the last two years, she has managed the Professional Growth and Educator Support Consulting Teacher Program. She holds a BS in psychology and a Masters in Teaching and is National Board Certified in the area of Exceptional Needs Specialist-Early Childhood through Young Adulthood/Mild and Moderate Disabilities (MMD). Although out of the classroom, Shelly continues to fight for equity and inclusion for all special education students.
Janel Kageler
Instructional Coach & Collaborative Teacher
Janel teaches in the Tacoma Public Schools. She has a Master’s in Elementary Education/K-12 Reading. Throughout her career, Janel has held various positions including: reading specialist, math interventionist, technology teacher, mentor teacher, instructional coach, K-3 co-teacher, and an elementary teacher – currently an elementary instructional coach and K-3 co-teacher. She facilitates professional development and supports teachers in the classroom around equitable, inclusive, high-leverage practices that promote a culturally responsive classroom.
Rachael Kettner-Thompson
General Education w/inclusion
Rachael is a Nationally Board Certified EYA Science Teacher and holds a BA in Elementary Education as well as a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction-English as a Second Language from Arizona State University. She started her career teaching 3rd grade in Arizona but has spent the majority of her nineteen plus years teaching middle school Science. Currently, Rachael teaches middle school Science in Spokane, Washington and has been with the Cadre since 2016. Rachael is also a parent of a typically developing child, a child with a 504 plan and a child on the Autism Spectrum.
Marisol Mallari
TOSA, P-12 Compliance/Safety Net Facilitator
As a Special Services Compliance & Safety Net Facilitator for the Everett School District, Marisol is responsible for supporting, training, and monitoring special education teachers and related staff providers in the writing of IEPs – monitoring IEP compliance for all high need students. She is a National Board Certified Teacher in ECYA/ENS Mild/Moderate for ages 5-21, with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in Special Education. Marisol has taught students with various disabilities in multiple classroom settings: K-8 Resource, 6-8 Extended Resource, and 3-5 Behavior Support.
Ainsley Nix
Speech/Language Teacher
Ainsley (she/her) is an educator with over a decade of experience in public education, supporting language, literacy, executive functioning, communication, and assistive technology skills at the secondary level. As a disabled and neurodivergent educator, her work centers neurodiversity and disability justice to improve inclusionary practices for all students. Ainsley earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2010, and her MA in Speech and Hearing Sciences in 2013, both from Washington State University. She serves as a member of the Family Advocacy Team.
Heather Njootli
Paraprofessional
Heather is an Elementary Para Educator with more than 10 years experience as a preschool teacher, tutor with the AmeriCorps program, and para in both elementary and high school resource rooms. She currently works in a self-contained special education classroom both in-person and online. Heather is a parent of an adult child with a physical disability. During the school years she learned how parents can navigate the system to assure that their child’s classroom needs are met. During her time in special education Heather has grown in knowledge through both the SESC classes, experience, and her own research.
Laura Pedack
Special Education Teacher
Laura teaches Special Education in Monroe, Washington. In this role, she co-teaches at the middle school level in an inclusion setting with general educators. Previously, Laura was a middle school Life Skills teacher, working with students with moderate to significant disabilities, and has also worked in a high school Resource Room. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Gonzaga University, and a Master’s Degree from Walden University. Laura has been an SESC trainer since 2021. She also serves as a member of the Family Advocacy Team.
Danae Place
Special Education Teacher
Danae, a National Board Certified Exceptional Needs Specialist P-12, is a Special Education and Early Learning Facilitator in Shelton, Washington. With a BA in Deaf and Bilingual Education and a Master’s Degree in Special Education, she brings extensive experience from teaching at all levels PreK-21yrs and various special education contexts, including local and international consultation. As a parent of a child with significant disabilities, Danae is deeply passionate about equitable and inclusive education. She also serves on the Family Advocacy Team.
Meagan Ransier
General Education w/inclusion
Meagan is a middle school teacher in the Ellensburg School District. She has been teaching for 5 years in a variety of inclusive settings. Meagan is currently a general education math teacher with a focus in co-teaching and inclusion. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education P – 12 and Middle Level Mathematics from Central Washington University and a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Western Governors University.
Tammie Schrader
Regional Science Coordinator
Tammie Schrader is a Regional Science Coordinator at Educational Service District 101, in Spokane, Washington, as well as an adjunct science methods instructor at Gonzaga University. She taught Life Science as well as Computer Programming, Gaming Programming, and Robotics.
Heidi Schroeder
Special Education Teacher, Coach
Heidi has several degrees from Washington State University – endorsed in both Early Childhood General Education and Early Childhood Special Education. Over her career, Heidi has taught K-5 Resource Room, A K-5 Life Skills class, General Education Kindergarten, General Education 1st grade and Special Education Preschool. She currently teaches an alternative classroom for preschool students on the Autism Spectrum and coaches in an inclusive preschool classroom. Heidi recently launched a consulting business assisting new Special Education Teachers with classroom organization and teaching strategies.
Adam Skarr
Special Education Teacher
Adam works in the Tukwila School District serving students with various academic, social, and behavioral needs and disabilities/learning differences in resource and inclusion school settings. Previously, he taught five years in general education. Adam holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education from Gonzaga University, and took his learning to the University of Portland to earn a Master’s Degree in Reading and Elementary Education through the Pacific Alliance for Catholic Education (PACE) program. Recently, he earned an additional Master’s Degree in Middle School Mathematics through Western Governors University (WGU).
Cassondra Smith
Technology TOSA - EdTech Coordinator
Cassondra currently supports Battle Ground teachers with technology integration in the classroom as their educational technology coordinator, or tech TOSA. In this role, she leads professional development, provides one-on-one coaching, and creates resources. She was previously a classroom teacher for K-8 art. She has her Bachelor’s degree in Art History from Pepperdine University and studied art history and archaeology at the University of Oregon before getting her Master’s in Teaching at Concordia University.
Joan Smith-Bator
Special Ed Teacher, Adjunct Professor
Joan is a middle school teacher in the Ellensburg School District. She works with students with moderate and significant disabilities, and is an adjunct instructor at Central Washington University. Joan earned a Bachelor’s degree from Central Washington University and a Master’s degree from City University. She is National Board Certified as an Exceptional Needs Specialist, Severe and Multiple Disabilities. Joan has been in education 25+ years, teaching students with all levels of abilities and in a variety of inclusive settings. Joan’s husband, Steve, is also a teacher. They have 4 children, 2 dogs, plus several horses and mules.
Lauren Stout
TOSA and Technology Specialist
Lauren received her master’s degree in Communication Disorders from Louisiana State University. She is currently working as a Teacher on Special Assignment and Assistive Technology Specialist in Bethel School District, providing professional development and job-embedded coaching to school teams to promote inclusion and equitable access for their students. Lauren has been a member of the cadre since 2020.
Tami Stoutnar
Special Education Transition Teacher
Tami has been an educator for 25 years, spending most of those years at the secondary level. She currently supervises the Transition program for 18–21-year-old students within the Shelton School District, collaborating with local businesses, community members, and adult agencies to provide work experience opportunities and community awareness and access to her students. She holds a B.S. degree from Grand Canyon University and an M.Ed from Northern Arizona University.
Kari Sullivan
Parent/Guardian
Kari lives in Vancouver, WA with her husband Tim and son (now 20 years old) who was diagnosed with autism at age 2. Kari has been a strong parent advocate and classroom volunteer: a PTA member, on the board of the local Special Education PTSA, coach & board member for Miracle League baseball, and volunteer for local disability organizations. Kari’s main goal is to help create an inclusive and accepting school and community environment – advocating for inclusion in general education classes and helping support differentiated instruction – recently organizing a parent advisory group to work with staff to improve the Evergreen Transition Program
Beth Anne Sykes
Special Ed Teacher, Adjunct Professor
Beth teaches in the Wenatchee Valley Community Transitions program. She’s worked with middle and high school students, and currently, with 18-21 year-olds. Beth has taught in Spokane Public Schools, Mead School District, Wenatchee School District, and serves as an Adjunct Professor and Course Developer at Eastern Washington University. She’s a Course Developer and Trainer for both the WEA Special Education Cadre and Inclusionary Practices Project. Beth is a National Board Certified Teacher; having received awards from Eastern Washington University and ARC of Spokane. She’s also a successful grant writer for her district.
Mikena Wemple
Director of Student Support Services
Mikena has 22 years of professional experience in Special Education, with graduate degrees in Mental Health Counseling and Psychology – emphasizing on Applied Behavior Analysis. She is the Director of Student Support Services for White River School District; focusing on the implementation of multi-tiered systems of support to ensure access to all opportunities for all individuals. Mikena has provided behavioral consulting for districts across several states specializing in Emotional/Behavioral Disorders. She is passionate about organizational behavior management supporting a healthy workplace for the adults who serve students.
Emily Wilgus
Special Education Teacher
Emily teaches in Wenatchee. Having taught in various special education settings since 2004 – from life skills at high school level, and resource rooms at both elementary and secondary, she is now in an inclusive setting at the preschool level. Emily earned National Board Certification in Early Childhood to Young Adult Exceptional Needs Specialist in 2019, and has been a member of the WEA Special Education Cadre since 2019. This year, she is serving a Program Coach and Data Coordinator for the Washington Pyramid Model Grant.
Micheal Williams
Special Education Teacher
Currently in the Tukwila School District, Micheal has worked in Special Education for 12 years supporting students with a variety of cognitive, physical, social and behavioral needs. He’s worked with with organizations providing mentorship to youth and has spent the last 7 years as a district resource guiding Educators through the process of developing, modifying and implementing behavior supports for students.
Marci Zabel
Special Education Teacher
Marci has a Masters of ED from Point Loma University with focus on Special Education: Autism Strategies. She has a WA State endorsement in Special Education. Over her career, Marci has taught K-5 Resource (CA), K-3 Self- Contained Mild/ Moderate classroom (CA), K-5 Autism Inclusion program (WA), and is currently teaching an Integrated Social Emotional Program K-5 (WA). Her current program supports students with a wide range of behaviors that require various supports to access their general education curriculum.
Consultants
Mark Anderson
Retired WEA Staff
Mark is a life long special educator who previously served as Coordinator of Special Programs for the WEA. Since retirement, Mark has continued his interest in special education by serving as a Special Education trainer, advisor, and critical friend, for the WEA Special Education Support Center.
Gary Obermeyer
Consultant, Learning Options
Gary has served in various roles in support of WEA projects and programs, beginning in the mid-80s with the Restructuring Schools initiative and later with the NEA Keys to Excellence program. For more than a decade, he has been a consultant to the Special Education Support Center in the design, maintenance, and promotion of the SESC website, and in the facilitation of online support for the WEA Special Ed Cadre.
Pat Steinburg
Consultant, Education Services Group
Pat has extensive experience as a special educator in the public schools of Washington State and as the special education coordinator for the Washington Education Association. Responsibilities included designing and providing training to educators on a wide range of special ed topics. Pat has a strong background in school improvement, special education service models, and instruction – currently consulting with several school districts, agencies and educational organizations, and the WEA Special Ed Support Center.