Staff

Our staff is the backbone of our mission.

A Note from the Executive Director

VIPS believes the families we serve deserve to be taught by the highest level educators in the field of visual impairment and blindness to help each child reach their highest potential. VIPS is nationally recognized because we strive to attract only highly certified, compassionate, skilled team members concentrating on continuous improvement and industry advancements. I am so very proud to introduce our amazing teachers, classroom assistants, and the critically important administrative team that helps make our services possible.

Diane Nelson
Executive Director

Leadership Team

Diane M. Nelson
Executive Director

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Justine Aycock
Director of Development

Kathy Mullen
Director of Education

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Kelly Easton
Kentucky Director of Community Outreach & Intake

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Christina Welsh
Director of Finance

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Meredith Howell
Indiana Director of Community Outreach & Advocacy

Education Team

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Kim Berghoff
Blind/Low Vision Specialist

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Kristan Decker
Assistant Preschool Director | 2's Lead Teacher

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Suzanne Bigbee
Classroom Assistant

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Rebekah Dunda
Classroom Assistant

Ashley Campbell
Blind/Low Vision Specialist

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Ashley Emmons
Teacher of the Visually Impaired | Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist

Trisha Conklin
Teacher of the Visually Impaired | Orientation & Mobility Specialist

Michelle Flora
Blind/Low Vision Specialist

Debbie Hardesty
Classroom Assistant

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Pamela Holladay
Teacher of the Visually Impaired

Sheila Klopfenstein
Teacher of Blind/Low Vision

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Lesley Lusher
Developmental Interventionist

Paige Maynard
Teacher of the Visually Impaired

Staci Maynard
Teacher of the Visually Impaired

Tammy Maynard
Developmental Interventionist

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Juanita Miles
Preschool Director | Developmental Interventionist

Amy Nichols
Teacher of Blind/Low Vision

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Brenda Pharris
Classroom Assistant

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Sarah Potter
Classroom Assistant

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Tommie Roesch
Teacher of Blind/Low Vision | Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist

Joni Santiago
Classroom Assistant

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Julia Sleder
Teacher of the Visually Impaired

David Sterne
Teacher of Blind/Low Vision | First Steps Coordinator | Cultural Quality Assurance Coordinator

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Crystal Tolbert
Classroom Assistant

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Malinda Vogel
Classroom Assistant

Cheryl Vincent-Wallace
Teacher of Blind/Low Vision

Administrative Team

Jenny Castenir
Family Services Coordinator

Carol Dahmke
HR Manager & IT Coordinator

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Rita DeVore
Special Projects & Volunteer Coordinator

Ashley Ford
Event Coordinator

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Brian Justice
Building, Grounds, & Maintenance

Ashley Ross
Communications Coordinator

Kirsten Schmidt
Guest Relations & Volunteer Coordinator

Mary Smyth
Grants Specialist

Emily Thornton
Database Coordinator