Bambauer, Michele
Assistant Director, Improving Results for Children with Disabilities Special Education Compliance
Office: 419-739-0165
Michele Bambauer graduated with a B.S. in Education specializing in elementary (1-8) and special education (K-12), a Master’s Degree with an emphasis on early childhood (Pre-school to 3rd grade), and earned her supervision and principal license from the University of Dayton. In 2016, Michele graduated from the University of Toledo with an Education Specialist Degree. As an elementary teacher, she has co-taught in a general education setting, resource room, and segregated classroom for students with behaviors. Most of her 15 years in the classroom were as a pre-school intervention specialist, classroom, and itinerant teacher. During this time, Michele was recognized as a National Board Certified Teacher: Exceptional Needs Specialist/Early Childhood through Young Adult. Michele’s responsibilities included partnering with community partners to offer Family Engagement Nights, provide professional development, and assist with leadership tasks. Michele joined the staff of State Support Team 6 in 2012.
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Byrne, Cheryl
Urban Literacy Specialist
Office: 419-739-0129
With over 37 years of working with families, children and educators, Cheryl has touched the lives of many people and they have touched hers. Whether as a teacher, director, or a consultant, her life was enriched by the youth and adults she encountered through the years. Cheryl is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a degree in Early and Middle School Education and Washburn University where she studied to be a reading specialist. Cheryl is part of the State Literacy Network and her role as an Urban Regional Literacy Specialist will focus on providing adolescent literacy support across Region 6 and providing literacy services to Lima City Schools as defined in the Doe Settlement. Cheryl joined State Support Team 6 in August 2020.
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McRill, Karen
Regional Early Literacy Specialist
Office: 419-739-0171
Karen McRill graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education (1-8) and a minor in Special Education (K-12) in 1989 from Taylor University. She obtained a Master of Science degree from Walden University in 2006, majoring in Elementary Reading and Literacy. For twenty years, Karen was an intervention specialist at Troy City Schools and Sidney City Schools. She worked as the Transition Coordinator for students with special needs until 2016. In 2017 she moved to Fairlawn Local Schools as their elementary counselor, switching the following year to become the elementary principal and the Director of Special Education. Karen received a grant as the principal, allowing her to coordinate LETRS training for the entire elementary staff. This training, along with the implementation of Heggerty lessons, weekly TBT meetings to analyze literacy data, and the adoption of a solid reading curriculum, helped Fairlawn elementary move from a priority building to a school that was first in the state when looking at the performance index growth from 2018-2019 to 2020-2021. Karen has been with SST6 since August of 2022. She holds the Regional Early Literacy Specialist (RELS) position at the State Support Team. In her role, she works with districts to improve student outcomes in literacy.
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Moritz, Kim
Parent/Community Engagement and Transition from High School
Office: 419-739-0167
Kim Moritz graduated from Bluffton University with a B.A in Biology and earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Bowling Green State University. She has worked as a high school science teacher in a traditional classroom setting and online. She has taught as an adjunct science instructor at Rhodes State College. Kim has also worked for several educational technology companies. In her current role as Family and Community Engagement Consultant for State Support Team 6 (SST6), Kim combines the experience of being an educator with that of raising a child with special needs. Kim has two children, Matthew and Emma. Matthew was diagnosed as deafblind and non-verbal following a traumatic brain injury in 2010. Through these experiences, Kim has been able to create opportunities to work collaboratively with families and school districts as well as to identify community resources to support that collaboration. Using the strategies she has learned, Kim hopes to help move the work forward in support of students and their families.
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Recker, Amy
Early Learning & School Readiness
Office: 419-739-0161
Amy Recker was granted a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (1-8) from The Ohio State University. Thereafter, she earned an additional endorsement for Early Education of the Handicapped from Bluffton College (PreK-Primary) and attained a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership with a principal’s license (PreK-6th grade) from the University of Dayton. Her past educational experiences include supervising and directing preschool programming for children with disabilities, supervising related services (OT, PT and Speech) and supervising programming for children with autism. She also served as an intervention specialist. In 2017, she was granted the Partner in Education Award for Outstanding Dedication to the Education of Children with Disabilities. Amy’s passion is collaborating and partnering with schools, leaders in education, families and community to achieve student growth with an emphasis on inclusive instructional practices.
Amy joined the staff of the State Support Team 6 in August 2020 as an Educational Consultant.
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Rees, Becky
Director
Office: 419-739-0175
Becky started working at State Support Team Region 6 (SST6) in 2009 as a School Improvement Consultant. Prior to working here, her background experience included, classroom teacher in various settings and grade levels spanning from second through eighth, Title I reading and math, science and technology integration, Reading Curriculum Team Leader, Federal Programming and Professional Development Director. Both her undergraduate and master's degrees are from The Ohio State University.
Becky's special interest is helping schools successfully implement evidence-based strategies that meet the needs of their students and close achievement gaps.
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Shelby, Heather
Central Support
Office: 419-739-0162
Heather graduated from Rhodes State College with an Associates Degree in Applied Science and has spent most of her career in healthcare, working with individuals of all ages and disabilities.
You’ll see Heather in the front office greeting everyone and answering your phone calls.
Heather enjoys being outside with her children, gardening, reading, and taking walks. She is looking forward to applying her leadership and organizational skills to support the Region.
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Sites, Alison
Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports
Office: 419-739-0166
Alison Sites graduated with a B.S. in Education specializing as a PK-12 Intervention Specialist from Bowling Green State University in 2002. She obtained an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Bowling Green State University in 2008. As an Intervention Specialist, Alison has co-taught in the general education setting, resource room, and segregated classroom for students with emotional disturbance. As a building and district administrator, Alison has led Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) development from infancy to full implementation. She has experience with the Ohio Improvement Process (OIP), Specially Designed Instruction (SDI), Social Justice, and Educating the Whole Child. Her most recent experience leading within the Juvenile Justice System adds to her passion for serving the youth and families of our communities, providing support so that all children can be successful.
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Smith, Cherie
Regional Data Lead, Universal Design for Learning
Office: 419-739-0170
Cherie Smith began working at State Support Team Region 6 July 2015. She has a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and the Inclusive Classroom. Most of her experience has been in special education as a supervisor and an Intervention Specialist at the secondary level. She has taught and directed students with disabilities in both Florida and Ohio. Cherie is a member of the Ohio UDL Collaborative. As an SST6 Consultant, she supports districts in the Ohio Implementation Process, Universal Design for Learning, Postsecondary Transition, Special Education, and College and Career Readiness. She is also a member of the Universal Design for Learning Implementation and Research Network (UDLIRN) as Chair of the UDLIRN Special Interest Group: UDL Implementation.
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Timmerman, Caryn
Special Education
Office: 419-739-0168
Caryn Timmerman is a Speech Language Pathologist (CCC-SLP) employed with State Support Team Region 6 full time since 2012. Caryn’s focus as an SLP has primarily been with students with Multiple Disabilities as well as students on the Autism Spectrum Disorder. Caryn has also been the Speech Language Pathologist Supervisor at Mercer County Educational Service Center. Caryn received her undergraduate degree from Ball State University and her Master of Education Degree from the University of Toledo.
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Vandemark, Michelle
School Improvement
Office: 419-739-0172
Michelle Vandemark graduated from The Ohio State University with a B.A. in Education (Grades 1-8), a Master’s Degree from The University of Dayton in supervision and later earned her principal license. She has worked for 29 years as a teacher, spending most of her career as an elementary and middle school teacher in a traditional classroom. Michelle has also worked as a Literacy Leader and a full time onsite Literacy Consultant. In her current role at State Support Team 6 (SST6) she works with districts as a consultant for the Ohio Improvement Process (OIP). Michelle joined the staff of the SST6 in 2016.
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