Staff Directory
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.
Consultant
Dr. Ray Blevins earned a Ph.D. in Leadership with an education focus from the University of the Cumberlands. His continued research centers on how leaders' beliefs affect children with disabilities' academic growth. Ray's academic foundation includes an M.Ed. in Leadership, a B.S. in Education, a B.S. in Mathematics, and dual postgraduate licensure credentials. Ray holds an Ohio Superintendent, Principal, and Mathematics Teacher licenses. Ray's background includes extensive leadership experience across private, public, and state education. Most recently, he served Southern Ohio's education agencies and families for a decade at State Support Team Region 15 before joining Region 6. As the Career Technical Planning District Consultant, he focuses on enhancing access to career-tech education and advances special education within it. Ray further aids local educators through professional development, coaching, and data-driven improvements as a regional data lead.
Urban Literacy Specialist
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.
Consultant
Office: 419-739-0172
Cathy Collins graduated from Jackson State University with a BA in Mathematics Education and earned a Master's in Curriculum and Instruction from Nova Southeastern University. Her extensive experience includes serving as a 7-12 mathematics teacher, adjunct professor at Rhodes State College and the University of Findlay, K-12 Mathematics Curriculum Lead, and K-12 Mathematics Instructional Coach.
Cathy serves as the Regional Mathematics Specialist for State Support Team 6, where she partners with districts and schools to strengthen mathematics achievement for all students. She provides guidance, technical assistance, and coaching services to help schools implement evidence-based instructional mathematics practices, inclusive instructional strategies, and integrated multi-tiered systems of support for mathematics (I-MTSS). She works directly with district and building leadership teams to complete needs assessments, analyze student performance data, and develop SMART goals aligned to the One Plan. Cathy supports schools in their adoption and implementation of high-quality instructional materials (HQM) as identified through EdReports and the Ohio Curriculum Support Guide, and facilitates professional learning opportunities focused on the Ohio Learning Standards for Mathematics, Standards for Mathematical Practice, and Effective Mathematics Teaching Practices.
Through collaborative problem-solving and communities of practice, Cathy helps build local capacity to ensure all students receive high-quality, standards-aligned mathematics instruction that prepares them for success.
Parent/Community Engagement and Transition from High School
Office: 419-739-0167
Kim Moritz graduated from Bluffton University with a BA in Biology and earned a Master’s in Education from Bowling Green State University. She has worked as a high school science teacher in a traditional classroom setting and online. 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 raising a child with special needs. Her work also includes low-incidence disabilities, post-secondary transition, community schools and special education indicator support.
Consultant
Office: 419-739-1175
Kelly Schattschneider received her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Minnesota, Duluth. Upon moving to Ohio, she completed additional certification in Early Childhood Special Education through Bluffton University, a Master’s degree in Special Education through Bowling Green State University, and an Education Specialist degree in Educational Leadership, also from Bowling Green State University. Having spent nearly 30 years working with children with special needs as a teacher and administrator, Kelly joined the SST6 Team in August 2023.
Kelly focuses on Special Education, Multi-tiered Systems of Support and Literacy.
Consultant
Office: 419-739-0171
Christine earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from Kent State University in 2007 and a Masters of Education in Administration and Leadership from Bowling Green in 2012. Since entering the field, she has been driven to learn and understand literacy at all levels from emergent to adolescent language and literacy. Most of her experience in schools has been as a classroom teacher at various grade levels, but she has also worked as a literacy coach developing her own leadership capacity. Outside of her work at the SST6, she serves as an adjunct professor at Wright State University Lake Campus in their Early Elementary Education Program instructing reading and writing method courses.
At SST6, she serves as the Regional Early Literacy Specialist. In this role, she works with leaders throughout the state to build the capacity of others in evidence-based literacy practices that align to Ohio’s Plan to Raise Literacy Achievement. This includes identifying district needs to develop system level literacy initiatives, serving on the State Literacy Network, and facilitating networks where school leaders can collaborate to develop their understanding and implementation of evidence-based practices.
She began working with the State Support Team 6 in August of 2023.
Consultant
Christine Schrage holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Shawnee State University with Specializations in Intervention Specialist (K-12) and Early Childhood Intervention Specialist (P-3), and a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Western Governors University. With extensive experience as an Intervention Specialist at both the middle and high school levels in resource and inclusion settings, she brings a comprehensive understanding of differentiated instruction, student support, and creating positive classroom climates where all students feel valued and empowered to learn.
Christine specializes in implementing and coaching teachers on co-planning and co-teaching strategies, high-impact instructional practices, and integrating social-emotional learning. She supports school teams through modeling, side-by-side coaching, and individualized feedback to strengthen instructional delivery, while fostering inclusive school cultures and promoting student engagement. A skilled facilitator of data-driven improvement processes, she leads teams in collecting and analyzing data on adult implementation and student outcomes - including climate, culture, and engagement - to inform strategic decision-making. Her expertise enables educators to build capacity, refine their practices, and create meaningful learning experiences that address the whole child, ultimately improving student success academically, socially, and emotionally.
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.
Regional Data Lead, Universal Design for Learning
Office: 419-739-0170
Cherie Smith is an author, presenter, data and instructional coach, and consultant specializing in Universal Design for Learning and systems-level school improvement. In her role as a UDL Consultant with State Support Team Region 6, she draws on extensive experience in educational leadership, inclusive practices, and strategic improvement processes. Cherie holds a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and the Inclusive Classroom, and her earlier career as a special education supervisor and secondary Intervention Specialist grounds her work in a deep understanding of diverse learner needs.
Cherie has served as the co-chair of the UDL-IRN Implementation Special Interest Group and contributes to statewide implementation efforts through the Ohio UDL Collaborative and the Ohio UDL Action Cohort. She is the creator and co-author of UDL Connections and a contributing author to an upcoming book about UDL stories from the field. She has also presented at multiple international conferences focused on inclusive design and instructional innovation.
As a seasoned SST6 Consultant and Regional Data Lead, Cherie supports districts in utilizing continuous improvement processes, Integrated Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (IMTSS), Climate and Culture initiatives, IDEA Internal Monitoring, Postsecondary Transition, OLi4 coaching, and College and Career Readiness. Her coaching and consultation center on empowering educators to design equitable, accessible, and high-performing learning environments for all students.
Consultant
Office: 419-738-9224 x 1161
Nancy Stiefel joined the SST6 team as our Early Childhood Consultant in September 2025. She has more than 30 years of experience in Special Education and Early Childhood leadership. In her last role she worked for the Shelby County Board of Developmental Disabilities as the Director of Shelby Hills Preschool, Early Intervention, and Wilma Valentine Childcare. Nancy's background includes many years as Special Education Supervisor for Sidney City Schools, where she managed district-wide special education services for students ages 3-21, supervised multidisciplinary teams, and ensured compliance to special education processes.
She holds a Master of Science in Educational Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Special and Elementary Education from the University of Dayton. In addition to her professional roles, Nancy has been actively involved in community and statewide organizations, frequently serving in leadership positions that support children, families, and nonprofit sustainability.
Nancy has turned to SST6 for guidance and support over the years and is looking forward to working alongside the talented and committed early childhood professionals in the SST6 region.
Special Education
Office: 419-739-0168
Caryn Timmerman is an educational consultant for SST6. Caryn’s focus is primarily special education with a focus on students with Multiple Disabilities, Autism as well as Assistive Technology. Caryn can assist districts with professional development, technical assistance and coaching in the areas of special education and compliance.
Caryn has been employed with State Support Team Region 6 full time since 2012. Caryn received her undergraduate degree from Ball State University and her Master of Education Degree from the University of Toledo with a degree in the area of Speech and Language Pathology.
School Improvement
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.