Robert Arnio, Ph.D.: Dr. Arnio is a psychologist with 20 years of experience working with children and students with learning disabilities, attention deficit and other disabilities. For the past 16 years he has had his private practice at Psychological Associates of the Black Hills. Dr. Arnio is a member of the Advisory Board of LDA-SD.
Dan Boyd: Dan Boyd is the Director of Information Services at the S.D. State Library. He has held this position for the past 17 years. In this capacity he has been involved with providing educational materials to students who cannot read standard print. Since 1990, Dan has also been the Coordinator of the S.D. Literacy Resource Center. In that capacity he has provided various training including internet searching to literacy personnel. He has served on the National Library Service Collection Development Committee and the American Printing House for the Blind, Educational Collection Development Committee.
Judy Butterbaugh: Judy is the Education/Technology Specialist at the TIE office, located in Rapid City. Judy has education technology experience that spans 19 years and includes classroom teaching at all levels, district technology planning and implementation, and staff development workshops for technology integration. In her present capacity she coordinates, designs, and implements technology in-services and planning for educators, is responsible for preview and acquisition of software, is the TIE Newsletter Editor, TEC-RAM (Challenge Grant for Technology in Education) Site Specialist and coordinator of Triple T Project (Technology Tools for Teachers) in cooperation with the SD Department of Special Education.
David Calhoon, PhD.: Dr. Calhoon is an Assistant Professor at Black Hills State University. Currently he teaches early childhood elementary and special education courses at the undergraduate level and qualitative research methods at the graduate level. Dr. Calhoon has his Bachelor of Education Degree from the University of Alaska, Anchorage, and his Masters of Education and Ph.D. from the University of Alberta. Dr. Calhoon began his career in education in 1967 as a VISTA volunteer teaching Headstart in an Eskimo (Inyupik) village in far northern Alaska. During the 30 plus years since, he has taught in a variety of settings in Texas, New Mexico, and Canada. He has taught preschool through junior high and 6 years in the Department of Elementary Education while at the University of Alberta. Having spent much of his life living and working among Inuit/Eskimo, Pueblo/Tewa, and Hispanic/Mestizo peoples, he remains interested in researching the overarching importance of cultural issues for education. His particular interest is in ways to improve the quality of early education, early intervention, and childcare in rural settings throughout collaborative community efforts.
Patrick Czerny: Patrick is a rehabilitation Technician for DakotaLink which is the Assistive Technology Related Assistance to Individuals with Disabilities Program for the State of South Dakota and is based in Rapid City. He is a graduate of Minneapolis Technical College. As a child of Deaf parents and a certified Interpreter for the Deaf, he has combined his life-long experience in the disabled community with his technical background to provide low tech and high tech state of the art assistive technology information and services to individuals with disabilities.
Gene Dickson: Gene Dickson has worked within the South Dakota Department of Education and Cultural Affairs for 33 years. He has been involved with the Adult Basic Education and General Educational Development (GED) Testing Program as State Administrator for the past 17 years. Gene was an initial member of the statewide literacy task force that founded the South Dakota Literacy effort in 1986 and has been an advocate for the volunteer literacy effort since that time. Gene holds a BA degree in Psychology from Huron College and a MS degree in Guidance and Counseling from Northern State College, as well as a valid South Dakota Teacher Certificate with endorsements as a secondary school teacher, a school psychologist, and a psychological examiner. Gene enjoys archery, hunting and fishing along the Missouri River. He and his wife (Linda) have three married daughters and three wonderful grandsons. In Gene’s words, "Life is good!!"
Beverly Doyle, Ph.D.: Dr. Doyle received a master’s degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Her work experience included teaching and working as a therapist at the University of Nebraska Medical Center with children and adolescents with handicapping conditions. After receiving a Ph.D. in educational psychology, she began teaching at Creighton University, and is coordinator of programs in special education. She is also engaged in private practice at RA Neurological. Her special areas of interest include educational psychology, dyslexia, and attention deficit disorder.
Glen Edwards: Glen Edwards grew up in the great outback of South Australia. He served in the Australian army in Vietnam as a medic in the years 1969 – 1970. After returning from 7 years in the Australian army, Glen attended the Flinders University of South Australia and was graduated. While serving as Director of the Vietnam veterans Counseling Service in Adelaide, Australia, Glen authored a book entitled "Men’s Groups". Subsequently, Glen authored a best seller book "Vietnam, The War Within". Glen is an Australian Vietnam veteran who is an expert on Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He has worked with American Vietnam veterans suffering from PTSD and with Japanese survivors of earthquakes who have experienced the same type of post traumatic stress disorder. He has visited multiple VA hospitals in the United States since 1986 and is currently completing his PHD in Florida. Glen has observed that stress, frustration, and depression are the most common problems experienced by individuals who are dyslexic and learning disabled. Glen has first hand experience in dealing with both PTSD and dyslexia.
Mary Fast: Mary comes to the LDA Conference with experience as both a parent and professional. Mary is the mother of a sixteen-year old son who has learning disabilities. She is also presently serving as Coordinator of Training and Information for the South Dakota Parent Connection where she travels the state of South Dakota giving workshops and providing information for parents and professionals on areas relating to children with disabilities. She is excited about sharing her experience with LDA-SD Conference participants. Mrs. Fast, an Iowa farm girl (by origin and at heart) holds a bachelor degree in Home Economics from Iowa State University. She has taught adult education, worked in advertising and publishing, owned her own business and served as Director of Children’s Ministry for a large church. To date, she is most proud of her position as parent to Cara, aged 19, a college sophomore studying Chemical Engineering and Blaine, 16, a high school student working toward his Boy Scout Eagle Award. Mary and her husband Doug, an agricultural banker, will soon celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary.
Ken Fredette: Ken is the past President of LDA-SD. Prior to moving to Moorhead, Minnesota Ken served as President of LDA-SD and previously spent 3 years as an active member of LDA-KS. As a parent and advocate Ken has been active in the issues of Inclusion, Special Education Eligibility Criteria and Legislative advocacy for more than six years. He is the SD liaison for the Coordinated Campaign for Learning Disabilities and places strong emphasis on "early identification" and "transition services" as key elements of a free appropriate public education.
Barb Garcia: Barbara Garcia is the mother of an adult dyslexic son. Barb serves as the President of the Rapid City Learning Disability Association and she is also the Secretary-Treasurer of the Learning Disability Association of South Dakota. She has done extensive research in the areas of learning disabilities, dyslexia, and attended the International Dyslexia Conference in Minneapolis, MN in November of 1997.
Dave Halverson: Dave has worked for the Transition Systems Change Project for the past 2 years. Dave’s work includes working with school students, parents, and adult agencies providing services for special needs students, as well as teachers and administrators. Prior to this Dave worked as a Job Developer and as a Career Counselor. Within this transition position, Dave works with any student of transition age. He notes a special interest in the areas of students who are at risk and learning disabled. Dave is also a member of the LDA-SD Board of Directors.
Kim Hanes: Kim is part of the Systems Change Project and works throughout 42 school districts surrounding Chamberlain, SD. Kim’s focus is on best practices with an eye toward inclusion, high expectations, and combining different learning styles.
Gaye Heidinger, BS, RN, CMT: Gaye is a nurse who has also worked as an adjunct faculty member at Dakota Wesleyan University and as a Family Training Specialist for children with PKU at South Dakota University Affiliated Programs. As a nurse, Gaye’s work includes working with persons who are suffering post traumatic stress disorder caused by the tornado that ripped through eastern South Dakota in the spring of ’98. She also serves as a member of the Consumer Committee for the Great Plains Genetic Services Network and is a tutor and mentor for a variety of students who are challenged with learning differences and foreign exchange students attending college in the Mitchell area. Gaye’s dyslexia went undiagnosed into adulthood. One of her children was diagnosed with dyslexia in 3rd grade. Gaye’s conference session looks at tools and strategies to cope and succeed.
Doris Hodge: Doris taught Adult Basic Educational classes for Douglas School District at Ellsworth Air Force Base for 27 years prior to retirement. Doris presently is employed as a part-time instructor at the Oglala College, He Sapa extension in Rapid City, South Dakota. Since 1991, Doris has been involved with the South Dakota Literacy Council and served as President of the Literacy Council of the Black Hills (1996-1997). Her areas of expertise include children's literacy, English as a Second Language and Adult Basic Education. Contributing to her rich background is her graduation from Marymount College in Salina, Kansas with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music; her past position as YWCA Director in Muncie, Indiana and, her work as Director of the Community Center at Schilling Air Force Base.
James Huff: Jim is President of LDA-SD and President of the Literacy Council of the Black Hills. As a person with dyslexia, Jim is well aware of the challenges and has experienced both the pain and the gift of dyslexia. As a presenter, Jim has offered workshops for teachers in various cities throughout South Dakota on dyslexia and has visited and worked with education staff within the prison system on this same topic. Within the last 12 months, Jim has attended the International Dyslexia Society annual conference in Minneapolis, MN; the Learning Disabilities Association international conference in Washington, DC; and, recently presented at the National Literacy Conference in Columbus, OH (June 1998). Jim also serves as President of the Literacy Council of the Black Hills.
Robert J. Kean: Robert has over 20 years experience assisting families and professionals throughout the state address a broad range of complex disability related issues. He has participated in the development of legislative initiatives concerning persons with disabilities. Currently, he is the Executive Director of South Dakota Advocacy Services, is a member of the South Dakota Governor’s Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities; and, also serves on both the South Dakota Mental Health Planning Coordination Advisory Council and the South Dakota Guardianship Program Trust.
Bonnee Kinsella: Bonnee, a retired teacher, taught students for 18 years in Rapid City and 5 years at St. Elizabeth Seton Elementary School. She is a graduate of Black Hills State University. Bonnee is an active member of the Literacy Council of the Black Hills and is involved with Women Against Violence. Her past community service included serving as vice president of PTA. Bonnee's interest in literacy began in 1975 when she suspected that one of her children might have a learning disability or be dyslexic. Bonnee attended a three-month course at the Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas, TX. The course taught techniques that could be used by classroom teachers in helping students with dyslexia.
Keley Smith-Keller: Keley is currently a GED instructor at the Right Turn. She conducts aptitude testing as well as other interests and personality evaluations. She provides encouragement for students to develop their literacy and comprehensive skills for attainment of a GED certificate. Keley has a Masters in Educational Psychology and Counseling with an emphasis in Educational Research Testing.
Connie Pollard, PhD.: Dr. Pollard received a BA in Psychology, Guidance and Counseling and her Masters in Learning Disabilities at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. She also earned an Ed D. at the University of Wyoming in Education Administration in 1991. Dr. Pollard has worked with individuals having mild to severe disabilities from preschool age to adulthood. She has worked as a resource room teacher, school psychologist, special education director, and principal. She has worked overseas in Botswana, Africa in the initial phases of developing programs for students needing remedial educational programs. Presently she works as a School Psychologist in Crook County School District and is an Adjunct Professor and coordinator for graduate programs on the Gillette Campus for the College of Education at Black Hills State University.
Mike Reinhiller: Mike, a Williston, ND native and Northern State graduate, has been working for Statewide Systems Change since January of 1997. Previously, he taught K-6 special education for four years in Howard, SD. Mike has given numerous presentations on cooperative learning, team building and team teaching. He will be graduating in May of 1999 with an MS in Curriculum and Instruction from Black Hills State University. His thesis is titled “Inclusion: Best Practices in Education.
Gloria Robinson: Gloria has 34 years experience teaching in high schools and colleges. Gloria established the parent education classes for the Colorado Springs School District #11 Headstart Program. The last 24 years involved in teaching high school students who were employed and teaching in childcare centers in El Paso, TX. Now retired, Gloria has become an active volunteer in schools.
Dee Thompson: Dee is the Executive Director of LDA-SD and past Secretary-Treasurer. Dee has worked for more than 7 years as a literacy tutor, New Reader’s Advisor, and served on the State Board. Recently, Dee co-presented at the National Literacy Conference in Columbus, OH (June 1998) and speaks throughout the State on learning disability issues and conducts a program entitled "Walking in the Shoes of a Dyslexic".
Neil Venard, M.D.: Dr. Venard has extensive experience as a child psychiatrist in the areas of ADD, AD/HD, dyslexia and depression. Dr. Venard has his private practice and serves as Clinical Supervisor for Out Patient and In Patient Child Psychiatry at the Rapid City Regional Hospital.
Leigh Williams: An elementary school teacher with more than 20 years experience, Leigh has had a long-time interest in the areas of learning disabilities and related at-risk conditions as they apply to students.