Professional Development

Debra Scilacci - Lovelock, Nevada
Debra Scilacci teaches 8th grade special education students at Pershing County Middle School in Lovelock, Nevada. She develops curricula and lesson plans for a diverse population of learning-disabled, behaviorally disabled and cognitively disabled students. Ms. Scilacci's goal for her students is that they be successful regardless of their abilities or disabilities.

Ms. Scilacci's classroom can be described as a hub of activity with students viewing it as a true resource that they can go to for assistance. She works to help students become accountable for work in other classrooms and provides individualized, innovative ways of helping them be successful.

Ms. Scilacci also serves as Regional Professional Development Trainer for Pershing County School District. Ms. Scilacci received her Bachelor's and Masters of Education Degree from the University of Nevada, Reno.

---

Susan Dagenais-Lewis - West Hartford, Connecticut
Susan Dagenais-Lewis has worked for West Hartford Public Schools, West Hartford, Connecticut since 1994. She is currently a Special Education Adjusted Curriculum Resource Teacher for students in grades K-5 at the Charter Oak School. Ms. Lewis provides direct instruction to students in the resource room, as well as co-teaches some subject matter in the general education classrooms.

Ms. Lewis impacts her students by providing the intense instruction required to help them begin to make gains, while teaching the students strategies that they can apply to approach a task. She shares these strategies with others to provide support students in other environments. Ms. Lewis uses ongoing analysis of student work to modify instruction and make sound educational decisions for individual children.

Ms. Lewis attended Southern Connecticut State University, where she received her Bachelor's Degree, as well as her Master's Degree.

---

Linda Nawrot - West Hartford, Connecticut
Linda Nawrot is the Vocational Coordinator for West Hartford Public Schools, West Hartford, Connecticut. She has served in this capacity for over two decades. She currently works as Transition Coordinator for the district's post-secondary program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She was instrumental in the development of this hallmark program.

Ms. Nawrot works to individualize student's transitions from high school to community life through the West Hartford Applied Academics and Vocational Education. Entering students are typically enrolled for two years after receiving a certificate of attendance from high school. Upon completion of the WAAVE program, they receive a high school diploma.

Ms. Nawrot says her life experiences with a brother with special needs have taught her much. Her formal education includes a Bachelor's Degree and Master's Degree from Lesley University in Massachusetts.

---

Sheila Barber - Ruston, Louisiana
Sheila Barber is a special education teacher to elementary students in a supported inclusion setting for Lincoln Parrish School Board in Ruston, Louisiana. Ms. Barber works with general education teachers at the third and fifth grade levels to plan lessons, deliver instruction and complete assessments.

Along with her teaching duties in the laboratory school, Ms. Barber is also a teacher trainer for her school district, working half-days to provide professional development opportunities to teachers. She also is working with a university to mentor new teachers seeking certification through a fast track alternative certification program.

Ms. Barber received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education from McNeese State University in Lake Charles, LA. She is scheduled to complete her Master’s Degree in May of 2004. She is a National Board Certified Teacher-Exceptional Needs. Ms. Barber participated in the task force on IDEA reauthorization and No Child Left Behind Act in 2002.

---

Alisia Carey - Lexington, South Carolina
Alisia Carey teaches at Oak Grove Elementary School in Lexington, South Carolina. She teams with staff members to provide intensive services to 4-year-old children in a child development inclusion class. Ms. Carey co-teaches to provide instruction to all students in the program, as well as to make modifications and adaptations to help each child be successful in the general curriculum.

Ms. Carey’s training and experience in working with students with autism has led her to be part of the Autism Task Force for the South Carolina State Department of Education. She contributes to the professional development of her colleagues by providing in-services to those in her district as well as to police officers and firefighters through a grant project.

Ms. Carey received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Special Education from the College of Charleston. Her Master of Education Degree is from the University of Charleston, South Carolina. Ms. Carey is a National Board Certified Teacher-Exceptional Needs.

---

Karlene Murray - West Warwick, Rhode Island
Karlene Murray is a special education teacher and school coordinator at Tides Family Services Learning Center in West Warwick, Rhode Island. Tides Learning Center is a not-for-profit alternative education program for students who are at risk of dropping out of school. The students have a variety of diagnoses including learning disabled and emotional/behavioral disorders.

Ms. Murray collaborates with special education departments, the probation office, YMCA, families, local businesses and other agencies to advocate for her students. Ms. Murray designs lessons and vocational experiences that are relevant and engaging as she works to provide her students with a safe learning environment.

Ms. Murray is scheduled to graduate with a Master’s Degree in Social Work and a Master’s in Special Education Degree from Rhode Island College in Providence. She is also working towards a certificate in administration.

---

Diane Schlauch, Ed.D. - Bristol, Tennessee
Diane Schlauch, Ed.D. has been a special education teacher at Vance Middle School, Bristol, Tennessee since 1981. She serves students with a variety of disabilities in an extended resource / comprehensive development class for students in grades 7
and 8.

Dr. Schlauch focuses instruction on desired life outcomes for her students. Although the classroom is a segregated setting, she designs instruction to include authentic inclusive, peer-oriented learning experiences for her students. One way she accomplishes this is through providing peer models that spend nine weeks in her classroom interacting with her students.

Dr. Schlauch completed her Bachelor’s Degree from Milligan College in Milligan, TN. She received a Masters in Education as well as her Educational Doctorate at East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN.

---

Gretchen Cole-Lade - Enid, Oklahoma
Gretchen Cole-Lade teaches math, English and art to high school students with moderate to severe disabilities at Enid High School in Enid, Oklahoma. Ms. Cole-Lade’s students all participate in a curriculum geared towards functional living skills. She strives to provide the adaptations and modifications required to enable her students to be active participants in their education and the community.

Ms. Cole-Lade worked for the Department of Defense Dependent Schools, teaching American students in Germany. She is also an active member of the Oklahoma State Department of Education’s Special Education Advisory Council, developing alternate curriculum standards. Her students participate in alternate assessments.

Ms. Cole-Lade’s life and choice of vocation has been deeply affected by her experiences with her brother, who is severely disabled. Ms. Cole-Lade graduated from Old Dominion University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education. She received her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Boston University. She is a National Board Certified Teacher-Exceptional Needs and mentors others who are seeking that certification. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. She is currently working on a Masters degree in School Counseling from the California University of Pennsylvania.