USDB has assembled a team of Curriculum Specialists to provide instructional support, professional development, and coaching to teachers. These specialists are available for teachers throughout the state, and can be accessed through a referral process.
Tami Gear will be our program specialist. She is also working as the assessment specialist (focused on progress monitoring). As program specialist, Tami will help us to coordinate the referral process and to set up an organizational system for our team. As assessment specialist, Tami will assist teachers in both USD and USB to develop a system of progress monitoring so that we can carefully track student growth over time. Tami’s office will be at the Highland building.
Andrea Kimball will be our transition specialist in USD. Andrea will be focused on transition services for students in USD. Her emphasis will be on post-high transition programs, but she will also work with secondary teachers to prepare for the post-high experience. Andrea’s office will be at the Highland building.
Ginny Ball will be our transition specialist in USB. Ginny will be focused on transition services for students in USB. Her emphasis will be on post-high transition programs, but she will also work with secondary teachers to prepare for the post-high experience. Ginny's office will be at the Highland building.
Bena Martin will be our preschool specialist. Bena will be focused on preschool programs in both USD and USB, helping teachers to implement a developmentally appropriate curriculum and also to plan for parent/child sessions in all preschool programs. As a reminder, our preschools have been adjusted for a 4 hour/4 day schedule. Bena’s office will be at the Highland building.
Chris Franco will be our oral literacy specialist in USD. She will provide demonstration lessons with regularly scheduled reading groups at Millcreek elementary, and will support auditory/oral educators in providing research-based reading and writing instruction. Chris works part time, and is available on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Chris’s office will be at the Highland building.
Jenny Alvey will be our ASL/English literacy specialist in USD. Jenny will provide demonstration lessons with regularly scheduled reading groups at JMS, and will support ASL/English educators in providing research-based reading and writing instruction. Jenny’s office will be at the Connor building.
Dan Wilson will be our ELL specialist. Dan will focus on services for students in both USD and USB who have a language other than English in their home. Dan will provide support to teachers on instructional strategies for ELL learners, and support to families on accessing the educational system. Dan’s office will be at the Highland building.