FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 2007)
Contact: Kelsey Johnson, Communications Specialist, 979-862-4990 or kelsey_johnson@tamu.edu
News release from the Office of the Governor, Rick Perry (March 15, 2007)
*emphasis added*
Gov. Perry Appoints Nine to the Continuing Advisory Committee for Special Education
AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry appointed nine individuals to the Continuing Advisory Committee for Special Education. The committee provides policy guidance with respect to special education and related services for children with disabilities in Texas.
Laura M. Stough of Elgin is an associate professor and interdisciplinary education director at Texas A&M's University Center on Excellence in Developmental Disabilities at Texas A&M University, where she also conducts research in special education, disability studies and disaster. She served as a volunteer in the United States Peace Corps, and is presently a member of the American Educational Research Association, and the Council for Exceptional Children. Stough received a bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Los Angeles, and master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Texas at Austin. Her term is set to expire Feb. 1, 2009.
The following reappointments are set to expire Feb. 1, 2011.
Emily Bodden of Houston is chairman of the board of the Arbor School, a school for children with special needs. She has previously worked as a special events coordinator for both the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and the Children’s Hospital of Austin Foundation. Bodden received a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Southern Methodist University and also attended the Fundraising School at the Indiana University Center of Philanthropy.
Margaret H. Christen, Ph.D., of Houston is a student support administrator at Katy High School. She was a special education teacher for 17 years in various schools in the Virgin Islands, Massachusetts and Texas. Christen is a member of the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals and the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). Christen received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts, a master’s degree in special education from the University of the Virgin Islands and doctoral degree in educational psychology from Texas A&M University.
Christy Dees of Austin is a senior policy analyst for the Department of Aging and Disability Services. She is a member of the Health and Human Services Commission's Children's Policy Council, and the Center for Disability Studies Consumer Advisory Committee. Dees is also president of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Veteran's of Foreign Wars and is past chairman of the board of the Arc of Austin. She is a former member of the Special Education Parent Advisory Committee of Round Rock Independent School District (ISD). Dees received a bachelor’s degree from Southampton College of Long Island University.
Kathy L. Grant of Houston is currently serving as co-chair of the committee. She is the judicial assistant for U.S. District Judge Lynn N. Hughes. Grant has been an advocate for special needs children of Texas for 12 years.
Marjie Haynes of Huntsville is the division director for instruction of the Windham School District. Haynes has worked in the field of special education for more than 30 years. She is a member of the Correctional Education Association and previously served on the Texas Education Agency's Special Education Steering Committee and Juvenile/Adult Special Education Services Committee. Haynes received a bachelor’s degree from Stephen F. Austin State University, and master's degree in educational psychology from Texas A&M University.
Sherri Adair Hammack of Austin is the manager of the Community Resource Coordination Group / Texas Integrated Funding Initiative state office for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. She serves as a block leader with Neighborhood Crime Watch and is vice president of the Bowie High School Choir Booster Club. Hammack received a bachelor’s degree from Texas Woman’s University and teaching certificate from Texas State University-San Marcos.
Drusilla Knight-Villarreal of Corpus Christi has been a special education teacher for 30 years. She currently teaches homebound/hospital students. For 17 years she has served as the special education teachers' representative on the Corpus Christi ISD planning and decision-making team and is also a Court Appointed Special Advocate board member. She previously reported on educational issues for both the Flour Bluff Sun and the Coastal Bend Sun newspapers. Knight-Villarreal received her bachelor’s degree in secondary education and master’s degree in special education from Texas A&I University in Kingsville.
Shewanda Williams of Houston is a charge nurse with Brazos Presbyterian Homes. Williams makes patient assessments, distributes medications and attends to all patient needs. She is a graduate of Partners in Policymaking, a leadership training program for adults with disabilities and parents of young children with developmental disabilities. Williams received a nursing degree from San Jacinto College.
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