ESE Advisory Committee
Volusia ESE Advisory Committee
The Volusia ESE Advisory Committee is comprised of families and professionals dedicated to collaborative interaction among schools, service agencies and the public. The committee meets on a regular basis to gain information on issues that pertain to students served in Exceptional Student Education (ESE) in Volusia County. Per recommendation from members, beginning in SY 2022-2023, two groups, formerly known as the ESE Task Force and ESE Advisory, consolidated into the Volusia County ESE Advisory Committee, an outcome-focused group that supports the district’s mission and strategic plan in advocating for students with disabilities. The Volusia County ESE Advisory Committee supports collaboration with parents and community members. Our goal is to identify areas for improvement and make meaningful recommendations to promote the success of all students.
Committee Members
Following an organizational meeting on January 31, 2023, below are the members of the ESE Advisory Committee for SY 2022-2023. We appreciate their talent, advocacy, and support for our families and students with disabilities.
ESE Advisory Committee Voting Members 2022-2023
- Amanda Wiles – EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ESE
- Dr. Mary Ellen Speidel – DISTRICT LIAISON
- Daysi Ortiz – COMMUNITY MEMBER
- Nicole Small – COMMUNITY MEMBER
- Nancyjo Santee – ELEM PARENT
- Kylee Warke – ELEM PARENT – VICE-CHAIR
- Chastity Hanners – ELEM PARENT
- Sandy Ohman – ELEM PARENT
- Tiffany Sekunna – ELEM PARENT
- Shari MacFarlane – ELEM PARENT
- Laura Clark – MS PARENT
- Amy Michaelis – MS PARENT – CHAIR
- Carley DeGaetano – MS PARENT
- Raymond Sanders – HS PARENT
- Sharon Patrick – HS PARENT (Post 12)
- Michelle Rios – PARAPROFESSIONAL
- Keri Lynn Nass – K-12 TEACHER (parent) – SECRETARY
- Heather Whetstone – K-12 TEACHER
- Tishian Rottjer – MS TEACHER (parent)
- Karen Hook – HS TEACHER
- Marissa Pendley – SPEECH/LANGUAGE CLINICIAN (parent)
- Efrain Alejandro – ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
- Eleeta Sue Hopkins – ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
ESE Family Resources
Following our fall ESE Resource Fairs: Community Collaboration for Unique Abilities, Volusia County Schools’ Exceptional Student Education Department, Easterseals of Northeast Central Florida, and other agencies continue to partner to offer opportunities and support for our parents, caregivers, and families of students with disabilities.
Meeting Information
ESE Advisory Committee meetings are held, virtually, and all are welcome to attend. Below are the meeting schedule and Microsoft Teams meeting links. Thank you.
- Monday, February 27, 2023, 5:30-6:45 pm
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 238 176 024 883
Passcode: BWzLF7
Download Teams | Join on the web
Or call in (audio only)
+1 386-868-2669,,424384689# United States, Daytona Beach
Phone Conference ID: 424 384 689#
Find a local number | Reset PIN
- Tuesday, April 18, 2023, 5:30-6:45 pm
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 256 752 253 85
Passcode: Aiw6Cd
Download Teams | Join on the web
Or call in (audio only)
+1 386-868-2669,,984008624# United States, Daytona Beach
Phone Conference ID: 984 008 624#
Find a local number | Reset PIN
- Tuesday, May 2, 2023, 5:30-6:45 pm
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 276 095 930 371
Passcode: oSjNqJ
Download Teams | Join on the web
Or call in (audio only)
+1 386-868-2669,,73353970# United States, Daytona Beach
Phone Conference ID: 733 539 70#
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Vision Statement
In an environment of mutual respect and trust, the ESE Advisory Committee, families, and professionals dedicated to collaborative interaction among schools, service agencies, and the public, will inspire advocacy for students with special needs, provide support for their families, enhance education, and foster community partnerships.
Mission Statement
The ESE Advisory Committee will meet on a regular basis to gain information on issues that pertain to students served in Exceptional Student Education in Volusia County. Committee members will work together in an advisory capacity to share this information with families, teachers and service providers, to positively impact the lives of children and those who care for them. The committee will also provide feedback relating to these issues to the school district.
Our Purpose
- To act as a communication link between the various agencies represented on the committee and the school
- To participate in identifying resources throughout the community to provide support for ESE programs
- To advise and provide support to district ESE for new ESE program development as well as improvement of existing ones
- To serve as a resource to the superintendent, school board, staff and families
- To advocate on behalf of the ESE community by serving as a communication link between the school board, school administrators, and parents of students with special needs
