SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICE AREA
The Special Education Service Area offers programs and services to students, staff and families in Marquette and Alger County school districts. MARESA consultants provide direct assistance to students within the school setting. The MARESA Early On Program works closely with children under the age of 3 and their famiies at home and in group settings. MARESA staff also work with local districts to identify special education service and staff development needs. Considerable effort is devoted to planning, organizing, and supporting staff development opportunities for teachers, administrators, aides and parents to acquire new skills and strategies that facilitate the success of students and the growth of staff. The Special Education Service Area also serves as an extension of the state Department of Education to monitor districts for special education compliance, grants and state reporting requirements.
Description of Job Functions
Autism Consultant
Meghan McLeod
Barb Potts
The Autism Consultant offers consultative services to local schools for children and families with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Classroom Aide
Pier Dossena- Teaching Family Homes
The Classroom Aides provide support and assistance to students and staff in Special Education programs located in the local school districts.
Classroom Teacher
Andrew Dalian ~ Teaching Family Homes
Technical Assistance/Consultant
Theresa King
The position provides techinical assistance for compliance with the Michigan Special Education Rules and Federal Regulations (IDEA) to local school districts and MARESA staff. Other responsibilities include: assisting local school districts in the Continuous Improvement & Monitoring System (CIMS-2), student assistance teams, providing information to parents of students with disabilities and local agencies regarding special education.
Consultant for the Hearing Impaired
Kris Flynn
The Consultant for the Hearing Impaired provides direct instruction for students who are deaf or hearing impaired. Braille writers and other specialized equipment are available for students. Consultative support is also offered to school staff and parents.
Consultant for the Visually Impaired
Ruth Barry
The Consultant for the Visually Impaired provides direct instruction for students who are blind or visually impaired. Braille writers and other specialized equipment are available for students. Consultative support is also offered to school staff and parents.
Director of Special Education
Tammy Nyen
The Director of Special Education administers MARESA Special Education Programs and Services. The director also assists in the coordination of services in the local districts.
Early On Program Coordinator
Ann Gendron ~ Alger County
Michelle DenBeste ~ Marquette County
The Early On Program Coordinator organizes services to infants and young children under the age of 3 and their families. The consultant also serves on the Early On Program assessment team and coordinates services from other agencies.
Home Educator (PAT)
The PAT Home Educator provides in-home early childhood parent education and family support for families from pregnancy to kindergarten.
Occupational Therapists
Mary Beth Coyne
Anna Edwards
Emily Scannell
Occupational Therapists provide direct instruction to students who may need assistance with motor and sensory skills, feeding, positioning and activities of daily living. Consultative support is also offered to school staff and parents.
Orientation and Mobility Specialist
Ruth Barry
The Orientation and Mobility Specialist provides assistance to blind and visually impaired students to teach independent mobility and functional living skills
Physical Therapist
Kate Fether
Physical Therapists provide direct instruction to students who may need assistance with gross motor skills and physical activities. Training in the use of specialized equipment and activities is offered to school staff and parents.
Psychologists
Jon Kniskern
Deb Pierre
Bob Thompson
School Psychologists conduct evaluations and behavioral assessments of students and consult with school staff. They offer assistance to both special and general education students.
School Social Worker
Nicole Lackey
The School Social Worker conducts evaluations and behavioral assessments of students and consult with school staff. They offer assistance to both special and general education students.
Special Education Secretaries
Holly Bailey-Boldt ~ Early On Program Services
Shelly Johnson ~ Assistant to the SE Director and Fiscal Reporting
Amy Talo ~ SE Records, Data and Professional Development
Speech Therapists
Michelle DenBeste
Ann Gendron
Diane Gilfoy
Jared Koski
Melanie Tervo
Speech Therapists provide direct speech and language services to children in local districts and programs as well as consultation to teachers. They provide assessments of children in the Early On Program.
Teacher Consultant
The Teacher Consultant provides academic and curriculum assessments to students. School staff are provided with strategies and accommodations to enable students with learning difficulties to become more successful.
Vocational Evaluator
Dennis Yelle
The Vocational Evaluator provides vocational assessments to secondary students and consultation and guidance to staff and parents on employment training skills.
MARESA Contracted Services & Duties
Assistive Technology Center
Melanie Tervo
Jared Koski
The Assistive Technology Center (ATC) at MARESA assists school staff in creating an accessible learning environment for students with many types of disabilities.
Parent Partner
Jennifer Frazier
The Parent Partner provides consultative assistance to parents and school staff regarding special education programs and services.
Marquette Alger Resolution Service
715 W. Washington St. Suite A
Marquette, MI 49855
906-226-8600