2020-2021 NASDSE 619 Affinity Group (AG) Executive Council
Chair: Jenny May, South Carolina
Co-Chair: Shannon Dunstan, Idaho
Vice-Chair: Micole Talley, Georgia
Secretary: Jenny Bibler, Wisconsin
Past Chair: Ruth Gallucci, Rhode Island
Jenny May is the IDEA 619 Coordinator who serves at the Office of Special Education Services, South Carolina Department of Education. Before engaging in the work of early childhood special education, inclusion and social-emotional supports, Jenny worked as a researcher for the Joint Citizens and Legislative Committee on Children’s Issues. When not working hard, Jenny is playing hard with her 2 young sons and husband, Jim.
Bio:
Shannon Dunstan is Idaho's IDEA 619 Early Childhood Special Education and State Systematic Improvement Plan Coordinator. Shannon has over 30 years of experience working with individuals with disabilities and their families. Shannon took a curvy path to reach her 619 destination, including writing dam safety manuals for the Bureau of Reclamation, participating in fugitive investigative strike teams for the US Marshal Service, advocacy, and direct service for individuals with disabilities and their families. Currently, she supports educators throughout Idaho as the 619 Coordinator providing training and technical assistance to early childhood educators in Early Childhood Special Education, Head Start, and childcare programs. Shannon serves on a variety of boards and committees that support early care and education and co-leads Idaho Pyramid Model of Social and Emotional Development Collaborative. In her free time, Shannon enjoys travel, spending time with family and friends, and volunteering.
Micole Talley is Georgia’s IDEA 619 Coordinator for Preschool Special Education. She has over 20 years of experience serving students in both general and special education in various capacities. Currently, she supports educators throughout Georgia as the 619 Coordinator providing training and technical assistance to improve program implementation and build the capacity of educators serving preschool students with disabilities. She works collaboratively with early childhood partners to develop and promote the improvement of state-level support systems for young children in Georgia by serving on statewide committees and planning teams. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, traveling, cooking, and reading.
Bio:
Jenny Bibler is the IDEA 619 Coordinator in Wisconsin on the Special Education Team at the Department of Public Instruction (DPI). She has over 25 years of experience in public, private, state and local early childhood experience in both regular and special education. Before coming to Wisconsin, Jenny also served as Oklahoma’s 619 Coordinator and as a Transition Coordinator Sooner Start, Oklahoma’s Part C Early Intervention Program. She currently oversees Wisconsin’s Early Childhood Program and Leadership grant, which provides regional training and technical assistance to local school districts and early childhood community partners. The purpose of this statewide grant is to improve outcomes for young learners with disabilities through evidence-based practices in inclusive settings. Additionally, Jenny represents DPI as one of the three lead agencies that make up Wisconsin Collaborating Partners, which build and sustain statewide, regional and local cross-sector systems of supports for all young children. In her free time, Jenny enjoys gardening, cooking, running, walking her puppies, Della and Tessa, and time with her family.
