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
Classroom Assistant

Suzanne Bigbee
Classroom 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 and Preschool Teacher/Two' Class

Debbie Hardesty
Classroom Assistant

Pamela Holladay
Teacher of the Visually Impaired

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

Brenda Pharris
Classroom Assistant

Sarah Potter
Classroom Assistant

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

Joni Santiago
Classroom Assistant

Julia Sleder
Teacher of the Visually Impaired | Preschool Teacher

Laurie Smiley
Teacher of Blind/Low Vision

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

Malinda Vogel
Classroom Assistant

Maury Weedman
Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist
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

Jan Moseley
Visual Impairment Specialist & Newsletter Editor

Ashley Ross
Communications Coordinator

Kirsten Schmidt
Guest Relations & Volunteer Coordinator

Mary Smyth
Grants Specialist

Emily Thornton
Database Coordinator