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, instructional assistants and the critically important administrative team that help to make our services possible.
Diane Nelson
Executive Director
Leadership Team
Diane M. Nelson
Executive Director
Kelly Easton
Director of Community Outreach & Intake
Kathy Mullen
Director of Education
Meredith Howell
Director of Development
Christina Welsh
Controller
Education Team
Kim Berghoff
Blind/Low Vision Specialist
Rebekah Dunda
Instructional Assistant
Suzanne Bigbee
Instructional Assistant
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
Kristan Decker
Preschool Assistant/Preschool Teacher/2's Class
Debbie Hardesty
Instructional Assistant
Pamela Holladay
Teacher of the Visually Impaired
Sheila Klopfenstein
Teacher of Blind/Low Vision
Lesley Lusher
Developmental Interventionist
Paige Maynard
Teacher of the Visually Impaired
Staci Maynard
Teacher of the Visually Impaired
Tammy Maynard
Developmental Interventionist
Juanita Miles
Preschool Director | Developmental Interventionist
Amy Nichols
Teacher of Blind/Low Vision
Rebecca Osley
Instructional Assistant
Brenda Pharris
Instructional Assistant
Sarah Potter
Instructional Assistant
Tommie Roesch
Teacher of Blind/Low Vision | Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist
Joni Santiago
Instructional Assistant
Julia Sleder
Teacher of the Visually Impaired
David Sterne
Teacher of Blind/Low Vision | First Steps Coordinator | Cultural Quality Assurance Coordinator
Crystal Tolbert
Instructional Assistant
Malinda Vogel
Instructional Assistant
Cheryl Vincent-Wallace
Teacher of Blind/Low Vision
Administrative Team
Justine Aycock
Assistant Director of Development
Jenny Castenir
Family Services Coordinator
Carol Dahmke
Human Resources & Office Manager
Rita DeVore
Office & Volunteer Coordinator
Pauletta Feldman
Special Projects
Ashley Ford
Event Coordinator
Brian Justice
Building, Grounds, & Maintenance
Ashley Ross
Communications Coordinator
Kirsten Schmidt
Guest Relations & Volunteer Coordinator
Mary Smyth
Grants Specialist
Emily Thornton
Database Coordinator