ACESD Committees

Executive Committee Members

  • Susan Beck
  • Valerie Bishop
  • Megan Burns
  • Melissa Griffin
  • Allison Huffstutler
  • Cathy Kovacs
  • Anne Radue
  • Margie Williamson

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
  • Danshelle Guy
  • Susan Howard
  • Allison Huffstutler*
  • Angie Lucas
  • Gini Nichols
  • Shannon Polchow
  • Lindsay Porter
  • Anne Radue*
  • Samica Snipes-Smith
  • Mary Wood
  • Elizabeth Young
  • Adair Yatko

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. 

  • Megan Burns*
  • Helen Campbell
  • Rebekah Francis-Barnes
  • Jane Brandis
  • Denise Eubanks
  • Jeni Garner
  • Troy Hall
  • Mary Higginbotham
  • Yasmin O’Keefe
  • Holden Roberts
  • Kristen Schmutz
  • Mary Stevenson
  • Karen Tucker
  • Margie Williamson*
  • Rodney Zimmerman

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.

  • Susan Beck*
  • Valarie Bishop*
  • Damian Bridges
  • Denean Greene Rivers
  • Deborah Harris-Sims
  • Birley Wright / Kimberly Humphrey
  • Daphne New
  • Sadina Outlaw
  • Bridgette Watson
  • Amber Woodward

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 Leah Green/Kimberly Outen
The South Carolina Continuum of Care Teresa Rhodes
The South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs TBD
The South Carolina Department of Education Sherri Evans (non-voting)
The South Carolina Department of Public Health Malerie Hartsell/Susan Luberoff
The South Carolina Department of Mental Health Erin Laughter
The South Carolina Department of Social Services Shana Charles
The South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind Scott Falcone/Elaine Gentry
Parent of a child with a disability to age 26 Lindsay Schmelzel
Parent of a child with a disability to age 26 Tiffany Norwood
One representative from daycare programs Cathy Kovacs*
One representative from Head Start Mary-Lynn Diggs/Senekita Farmer
Local Education Agency Representative (School District Rep) Wendy Hite
South Carolina Dept. of Health and Human Services Stephanie Donald
Non-required Member (Technical Assistance Organization) Melissa Griffin

*Committee Co-Chair