ACESD Committees

Executive Committee Members

  • Damian Bridges
  • Megan Burns
  • Denean Green-Rivers
  • Melissa Griffin
  • Allison Huffstutler (Chair)
  • Cathy Kovacs
  • Karen Tucker (Vice-Chair)
  • Margie Williamson
  • Elizabeth Young

Professional Development Committee

The Professional Development Committee collaborates with SCDE and higher education to improve and expand the delivery of information regarding special education issues, legal issues, and best practices for all teachers, administrators and the general public.

  • Allison Adrian
  • Carly Bowman
  • Stephanie Ford
  • Danshelle Guy
  • Muri Howle
  • Allison Huffstutler
  • Laurie Lee
  • Shannon Polchow
  • Lindsay Porter
  • Anne Radue
  • Samica Snipes-Smith
  • Valerie White
  • Mary Wood
  • Adair Yatko*
  • Elizabeth Young*

Transition and Self Advocacy Committee

The Transition and Self Advocacy Committee works to research and identify the unmet transition services needs of students with disabilities and to disseminate information about successful transition programs and services. 

  • Ryan Bartola
  • Isabelle Borduas
  • Jane Brandis
  • Megan Burns
  • Helen Campbell
  • Denise Eubanks
  • Rebekah Francis-Barnes
  • Jeni Garner
  • Miranda Harris
  • Mary Higginbotham
  • Holden Roberts*
  • Kristen Schmutz
  • Joshua Shumak
  • Mary Stevenson
  • Preston Trippe
  • Karen Tucker
  • Margie Williamson*

Safe Schools Committee

The Safe Schools committee collaborates with state and local agencies that provide services to students, families and schools in mental health, bullying prevention, and seclusion/restraints.

  • Damian Bridges*
  • Kimberly Brock
  • Erica Chapman
  • Andrea Erb
  • Denean Greene Rivers*
  • Deborah Harris-Sims
  • Daphne New
  • Sadina Outlaw
  • Lori Rodgers
  • Jenny Scarchilli
  • Bridgette Watson
  • Shannon Watson
  • Amber Woodward
  • Birley Wright / Kimberly Humphrey

Pre-School Committee

The Pre-school committee works to improve the identification of preschool age children with special needs, improve access to inclusive practices and programs, and ensure the prompt delivery of services.

Required Preschool Committee Representatives Members

*The Interagency Coordinating Council Chairperson

Heather Smith Googe

*The South Carolina Commission for the Blind

Allison Kitler/Tyler Edmond

*The South Carolina Continuum of Care

Teresa Rhodes

*The South Carolina Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

Erin Laughter

*The South Carolina Department of Education

Sherri Evans (non-voting)

*The South Carolina Dept. of Health and Human Services

Stephanie Donald

*The South Carolina Department of Public Health

Malerie Hartsell/Susan Luberoff

*The South Carolina Department of Social Services

Shana Charles

*The South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind

Scott Falcone/Elaine Gentry

*Day Care Program Representative(ABC Quality Monitoring)

Cathy Kovacs*

*Head Start Representative (SC Head Start Collaboration Office)

Mary-Lynn Diggs/Tekeshia Wade

Local Education Agency Representative (Special Services Director)

Wendy Hite

Parent of a child with a disability to age 26

Elizabeth Filaseta Boone

Parent of a child with a disability to age 26

Shannon Helton

Parent of a child with a disability to age 26

Annia Knight

Organization involved in the education of students with disabilities representative

Melissa Griffin

Organization concerned with the education of students with disabilities representative

Lindsay Schmelzel


​​​​​​​*Committee Co-Chair