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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

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Leadership Team

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Diane M. Nelson
Executive Director

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Justine Aycock
Director of Development

 

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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

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Ashley Campbell
Blind/Low Vision Specialist

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

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

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Michelle Flora
Blind/Low Vision Specialist

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Debbie Hardesty
Classroom Assistant

 

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Pamela Holladay
Teacher of the Visually Impaired

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Sheila Klopfenstein
Teacher of Blind/Low Vision

 

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Lesley Lusher
Developmental Interventionist

 

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Paige Maynard
Teacher of the Visually Impaired

 

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Staci Maynard
Teacher of the Visually Impaired

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Tammy Maynard
Developmental Interventionist

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Juanita Miles
Preschool Director | Developmental Interventionist

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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

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Joni Santiago
Classroom Assistant

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Julia Sleder
Teacher of the Visually Impaired

 

 

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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

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Cheryl Vincent-Wallace
Teacher of Blind/Low Vision

Administrative Team

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Jenny Castenir
Family Services Coordinator

 

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Carol Dahmke
HR Manager & IT Coordinator

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Rita DeVore
Special Projects & Volunteer Coordinator

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Ashley Ford
Event Coordinator

 

 

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Brian Justice
Building, Grounds, & Maintenance

 

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Ashley Ross
Communications Coordinator

 

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Kirsten Schmidt
Guest Relations & Volunteer Coordinator

 

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Mary Smyth
Grants Specialist

 

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Emily Thornton
Database Coordinator

 

 

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