 Dr. Karen Lehman - Director, Special
Education
WWPS District Office
364 S. Park St.
Walla Walla, WA 99362
509.526.6724 (Office)
509.526.4344 (Fax)
klehman@wwps.com
Cindy Nass - Special
Education Coordinator
526-6723, cnass@wwps.org
Laurie Hersey - Special
Education Autism/Behavior Coordinator
526-6771, lhersey@wwps.org
Dr. Karen Lehman majored in education leadership with an emphasis in special education. She also holds a program administrator endorsement.
Experience:
- Assistant Professor, New Mexico Highlands University, 3 years
- Adjunct Professor for San Juan College, 2 years
- Student Services Director, Quillayute Valley School District, 1 year
- Speech Language Pathologist Administrative Intern, Longview School District, 1 year
- Speech Language Pathologist, Special Education Teacher, Camas School District, 10 years
Professional Training:
- Doctorate, Washington State University
- Master's Degree, Pacific University
- Bachelor's Degree, Pacific University
Special education services are
offered to students ages birth through 21 with documented
disabilities. The Individualized Educational Program
team determines what services and supports are needed
to provide an appropriate educational program for
your child. We currently serve approximately 765
special needs students throughout the district.
We look forward to serving your family and ensuring
your child has every opportunity to be a successful
learner. Please don’t hesitate to contact
the Special Programs office if you need more information.
Federal fund applications and
all related documents are available to parents and
the general public for comment and inspection at
the Special Programs Department located at 364 South
Park, Walla Walla, WA.
• Preschool Play group-Blue Ridge:
Students attend a play group 1-2 days per week
to address cognitive delays. (Students age birth
to 3). Teacher: Kathy Bense
• Home bound: Students are provided
special education support by a special education
preschool teacher. (Students age birth to 3.)
Teacher: Kathy Bense
• Special Education Preschool Classroom:
Blue Ridge Elementary: Students attend
4- 1/2 days per week for communication, fine motor,
cognitive and other delays. (Students age 3-5)
Teacher: Kristina Corbin-self contained, Tami Plucker-resource.
• Blue Ridge and Green Park Preschool:
An integrated Preschool setting for children age
3-5. Blended programming of Title I, Migrant,
Head Start and Special Education.
Teacher: Kathy Bense
• Community Based Special Education
Support: Students attend community based preschools
and are provided special education support by
a special education Preschool teacher, Speech
Therapist, Occupational or Physical Therapist.
(Students age 3-5)
Contacts:
Preschool 527-3066
• Disability Coordinator: Maggie Miranda
• Preschool Coordinator: Kathy Bense
• School Psychologist: TBD
• Speech Therapist: Audrey Black and Missy Newcom
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• Kdg.-5 Inclusionary self-contained-
Green Park Elementary
Provides self-help, pre academic and behavioral support in a partial
self-contained setting with supported inclusion. Teacher: Julie Maney, Esther Angotti, Marcia Walters
• Autism classroom- Edison Elementary
Provides communication, self help, academic and
behavioral support in a TEACH model classroom
with supported inclusion. For students with a
diagnosis of autism or autism spectrum disorders.
Modified day program. Teacher: Kathleen Gilmore
• Resource Room: Provides reading,
written language, math, behavioral and social
skills support to special education students primarily
through an intensive pull out model.
Berney: Cindy Daves, Karen Jamieson
Blue Ridge: Meg Cochran
Edison: Dave Larson
Green Park: Barbara Casey
Sharpstein: Ashley Goss
Prospect Point:
• Multiage Behavior Intervention Program,
Prospect Point
Academic environment utilizing individual and
small group instruction in conjunction with a
level system to address behavior concerns. Mental
health components include individual therapy,
group social skills, self esteem building and
child and family therapy.
Teachers: Carrie Chase
• Home bound: Students are provided
academic, behavioral, communication, fine motor,
gross motor and self help skills through a special
education teacher, speech therapist, occupational
or physical therapist in the home setting.
Contacts:
Blue Ridge Elementary 527-3066
• Learning Specialist: Tina Holbrook
• Intervention Specialist: Alice Dankel
• School Psychologist: Peggy Tierney
• Speech Therapist: Eileen Greenwalt
Berney Elementary 527-3060
• Learning Specialist: Anne Swant
• Intervention Specialist: Kristen Duede
• School Psychologist: Midge Crawford
• Speech Therapist: Debbie Rowland-Smith
Edison Elementary 527-3072
• Learning Specialist: Nancy Anhorn
• Intervention Specialist: Jackie Richerzhagen
• School Psychologist: Annie Boyd
• Speech Therapist: Mary Lynn Thompson
Green Park Elementary 527-3077
• Learning Specialist: Jeanne Bailey
• Intervention Specialist: Ian Gregoire
• Speech Therapist: Sandra Bushnell
• School Psychologist: Heather Strader
Prospect Point Elementary 527-3088
• Learning Specialist: Diana Evanson
• Intervention Specialist: Christine Ludwig
• School Psychologist: Kim Butenhoff
• Speech Therapist: Patty Weeks
Sharpstein Elementary 527-3098
• Learning Specialist: Carrie Knifong
• Intervention Specialist: Ruthell Martinez
• Speech Therapist: Patty Weeks
• School Psychologist: Heather Strader
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• Pre-Vocational Self-contained:
Provides self help, academic and behavioral support.
Includes prevocational component, community experience
and building based work sites. Students are included
in general education as deemed appropriate.
Teacher: Debbie Bailey, Pioneer
• Language Arts/Reading Blocks:
Special Education Staff teach an intensive two
period Reading and Language Arts block.
Pioneer: Gina Stahlheber, Charlene Maib
Garrison: Barb Doherty, Marilyn
R. Brown, Kristen Erikson
• Special Education Math Class:
Students are provided special education math according
to needs addressed on their IEP.
Pioneer: Donna Morris
Garrison: Kristen Erikson
• Behavior Classroom: Academic environment
utilizing individual, small group and supported
inclusion in conjunction with a level system to
address behavior concerns. Mental health components
include individual therapy, group social skills
and self esteem building with wrap around family
support.
Garrison: Nate Carrara
Contacts:
Garrison Middle School 527-3040
• Counselors: Bunny Baker, Steve Pitzer
• Speech Therapist: Eileen Greenwalt
• School Psychologist: Peggy Tierney
Pioneer Middle School 527-3050
• Counselors: Judy Anderson, David Tegtmeier
• Speech Therapist: Debbie Rowland-Smith
• School Psychologist: Julie White
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The high school years become the time to focus on post high school outcomes for students. There are several "Pathways" that students can work through to make sure they are ready to enter the world of work upon graduation or continue their chosen career through more training. The Pathways are:
- 4 year college
- 2 year college/technical college
- Competitive employment
- Supported Work
- Daily Living
Contact the High School Special Education Department for more information.
Teachers: Laura Bertinelli, Chris Blackman, Cheryl Peters, Margo Piver, Karen Scott, Jackie Lewis, Patty Jones
• Behavior Program: Academic and
behavioral support utilizing individual, small
group and supported inclusion in conjunction with
a level system to address behavior concerns. Also
includes community access and recreation components.
Mental health components include individual therapy,
group social skills and self esteem building with
wrap around family support.
Teachers: Marci Knauft, Brandi McIntire (Lincoln High School)
• Lincoln High School:
Provides small class size in an alternative school
setting. Special Education support provided through
pull out and co-teaching models.
Teacher: Marci Knauft
Contacts:
Walla Walla High School 527-3020
• Counselors: Carol Franklin, Eva Hanson,
Jeanne Ruecker
• Speech Therapist: Eileen Greenwalt
• School Psychologist: Alicia Quackenbush
Lincoln High School 527-3083
• Counselors: TBD
• Speech Therapist: Eileen Greenwalt
• School Psychologist: TBD
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• Pamela Huntley, Occupational Therapist
• TBD, COTA
• Marcia Clausen, Assistive Technology
• Jean MacConachie, Vision Specialist and Orientation and Mobility
Specialist
• Carol Caruthers, Deaf Educator
• Adrianne Cole, Physical Therapist
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