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Keynote Speakers
The “Laughing Together” Team
Daniela Aguilar
Daniela Aguilar is a Chicago based improvisor and actor who has performed with Second City, io, and many of Chicago’s other improv institutions. She is a Colorado State University Creative Writing alum and a 2020 Second City/NBC Universal Bob Curry Fellow.
Chris Gethard
Chris Gethard is an actor, author, and comedian who has appeared on shows like The Office, Parks and Recreation, Space Force, Broad City, and more. He’s the host of the Beautiful/Anonymous podcast and the author of a few books. He co-founded Laughing Together in early 2023 and is proud to help spread comedy as a communication tool all over the country.
Rudy Mendoza
Rudy Mendoza is an improvisor based out of Chicago who performs and teaches at many of Chicago’s most notable improv institutions. He’s also the founder of Antojitos Fest, which brings together Latine comedic talent from all over the world.
Session Speakers
Jonah Adkins
Jonah Adkins currently serves as a Director at the West Virginia Department of Education in the Office of Safety and Tiered Support Systems. He has 20 years’ experience as an educator, with 14 years of leadership experience.
Nanette Argabrite, MA
Nanette Argabrite began her educational career as a teacher in Cabell County Schools over 25 years ago. She holds her bachelor’s degree in elementary education, her master’s degrees in early childhood education and administration from Marshall University and is Nationally Board Certified. She has served as the Director of WVEIS for the WV Department of Education for five years.
Scott Bass
Scott is a United States Veteran and former WV State Trooper who now serves as the InDepth Coordinator as well as the Handle With Care Coordinator for Project AWARE Clay County. He works on prevention and intervention in and out of the classroom by building relationships with students and families and delivering evidence-based curriculum in a meaningful way.
Bridget Bailey, LICSW, Ph.D.
Bridget Bailey is an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work and an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Behavioral Medicine & Psychiatry at West Virginia University. She currently holds licensure as an Independent Clinical Social Worker under the West Virginia Board of Social Work Licensure. Dr. Bailey has ten years of clinical experience in the field of mental health (inpatient, outpatient, community-based, and school-based) and specializes in the use of evidence-based treatments for youth at high risk of suicide.
Veronica Barron
Veronica Barron is a CTE coordinator at the West Virginia Department of Education with almost two decades of experience in education. She provides technical assistance for administering the state-approved career technical education (CTE) technical assessments, liaisons with the testing company, provides guidance for the Classroom 2 Career initiative, and oversees state service personnel competency testing. Veronica is dedicated to providing assistance to districts and schools to showcase students’ knowledge, and career skills. For more information about these initiatives, visit CareerTechWV.
Kayla Benson, MPA
Kayla Benson, MPA is the Director of Impact at The EdVenture Group. Kayla began her career in the child advocacy field, leading growth efforts at community-based organizations, most recently as the Executive Director at CASA For Kids of Monongalia and Preston Counties. Kayla applies lived experience as a non-profit leader and over a decade working with children, families, and team members to support professional development, advocacy, and leadership efforts that benefit education communities across West Virginia and the nation. Kayla’s background adds perspective and an understanding of the strengths, complexities, and challenges of the families and communities served to her work in K-12 education with EdVenture.
Kayla serves as the Director of the current West Virginia Family Engagement Center (WVFEC) project, leading efforts to enhance family engagement across the state, and serves as a founding co-lead of the REL Appalachia Kinship Caregivers and Grandfamilies Community of Practice (CoP). Kayla’s passion for helping children and families, combined with her background and experience drive her current efforts in leading the development and implementation of The EdVenture Group’s Prevention Program, and the Leaders Investing in Family Engagement (L.I.F.E.) Program. Kayla strives to use innovative strategies to build partnerships and programming to solve generational and community-specific challenges. Kayla earned her master’s degree in public administration from West Virginia University in 2011, supported by a B.A. in Multidisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Leadership Studies, Entrepreneurship, and Communication. She completed her certificate in Executive Leadership from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business Executive Education in 2022.
Marcella Bianco
Marcella Bianco is the Director of Government Partnerships for CATCH Global Foundation. She previously served as the Program Director for the CATCH My Breath youth e-cigarette prevention program.
Marcella has over 12 years of experience working in tobacco prevention and control. Her career in tobacco prevention began in 2005 when she worked for Floridians for Youth Tobacco Education (FYTE) as the South Florida Field Director. Marcella oversaw 13 south Florida counties to ensure requirements were met to pass FYTE (Amendment 4) and restore funding for youth tobacco prevention including the Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT), a movement mobilizing youth to stand up and fight against the tobacco industry. Amendment 4 passed in the 2006 election by almost 70% majority vote and changed Florida’s Constitution. Marcella then worked for the Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie County as the Tobacco Prevention Program Manager mobilizing the community for change in tobacco policy. In 2015, Marcella and her family relocated to Nashville, Tennessee for an opportunity to work at the Tennessee Department of Health as the Tobacco Prevention Program Director for the state. Through her local and state work experience Marcella has built relationships with local, state and National partners to change policy and social norms around tobacco.
Barbara Browning, MA
Barbara Browning began her professional career as an elementary teacher teaching in a self-contained classroom; was also a physical education teacher, then into an eighth-grade classroom and then ended her 23-year career teaching math to sixth graders. While teaching, she also worked in private practice as a counselor working primarily with elementary aged students. Then she moved from teaching to corporate America as a representative for publishing companies. Spending years in that industry lead her to join the wonderful mission driven world of social emotional learning with Harmony Academy. With Harmony Academy, she has served in various positions within the organization. In her role as Director, Barbara is privileged to manage a sales team in twenty-two east coast states and engage with Harmony Academy across the United States.
Mimi Browning, MAT Special Education
Mimi Browning has been a Coordinator in the Office of Special Education at the West Virginia Department of Education since October 2021. Before joining the WVDE, she served as an Educational Evaluator for her Local Educational Agency. Prior to working as an Evaluator, Mimi taught Special Education at the elementary level. Her role at the WVDE includes working with the Alternate Standards, Alternate Diploma, Targeted Systemic Improvement Plans, and Inclusive Practices.
Jennifer Carpenter, MS, BCBA
Jennifer Carpenter is a Coordinator in the Office of Special Education at the West Virginia Department of Education. Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from West Virginia State University and a Master of Science in Psychology with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from Perdue University Global (formerly Kaplan University). Jennifer is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She has experience working in the mental health field as a case manager for children in home, school, and intensive outpatient settings. Jennifer also has worked as a BCBA in both clinic and school settings prior to her current role at the West Virginia Department of Education.
Rhonda Chuyka
Rhonda has 29 years of classroom experience including high school chemistry, science, and robotics. Since leaving the classroom, Rhonda was the Communities in Schools Liaison for Fayette County and then transitioned to become the Project Aware Manager for Fayette.
Alysha Crawford, MA
Alysha Crawford is the Homeless Services/ICARE Facilitator for Mercer County Schools. She has a strong foundation in education, holding a BS in Early Child Education, a MA in Educational Leadership, as well as certifications in Elementary Education, Multi-categorical Special Education, and Social Services and Attendance. Her educational background, teaching experience, and time serving as an Attendance Officer, helped her recognize the need for a more efficient and comprehensive approach to student support and led to the development of ICARE. This initiative aims to identify students’ needs effectively and equip student support staff with the tools to address the diverse challenges they face.
Betsy Cashen, MPH
Betsy is the Program & Training Manager at CATCH Global Foundation where she focuses on training educators on whole child initiatives. Previously, she was the Healthy Students, Stronger Learners TN Program Coordinator at the Tennessee Department of Education. In this role, she worked closely with Coordinated School Health Coordinators, school districts and state-level partners to provide technical assistance and professional development on strategies to increase physical activity and improve the school nutrition environment. Prior to this role, she was the School Health and Wellness Director at the Tennessee Department of Health working with health educators to implement healthy eating and active living strategies in and out of the school setting.
Betsy has a Master of Public Health from the University of South Carolina with a focus on Health Promotion, Education and Behavior. She resides in Nashville, TN and in her spare time enjoys reading and hiking (not simultaneously) and trying out new recipes.
Jocelyn Crawford
Jocelyn Ferrell Crawford is the Kanawha County 4-H Youth Development Agent for West Virginia University Extension. Jocelyn is a born and raised West Virginian and 4-H’er, and a graduate of West Virginia University. She puts her past experience as a high school science teacher to good use as she provides 4-H programming in workforce development, STEM, global education, and healthy living that educates youth and serves communities.
Callie Daugherty, MA
Callie Daugherty has been a Technology Integration Specialist for Wirt County Schools for four years. Mrs. Daugherty holds a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural and Extension Education from West Virginia University (2017) and a subsequent master’s degree in communication studies (WVU, 2019). Mrs. Daugherty led the Wirt County High School PBIS team from 2021 to 2024, guiding the program from establishment through the school’s recognition as a PBIS Tier 1 Model School in May 2024. More recently, she has moved to Wirt County Middle School where she is leading their PBIS Team.
Amanda Davis
Amanda is a school social worker at Oak Hill High School and part of the Fayette County Project AWARE team. She partners with administrators, staff, and community members to support students of Fayette County.
Kelly Duffield, NCSP, Ed.S.
Kelly Duffield is the former Project AWARE Community Manager for Clay County Schools who was involved from day one of implementing the efforts to build a more resilient and supportive school community for her students. She has taken on a new role as a mental health provider for Community Care of WV and provides tier 3 services for students in Clay County Schools. Kelly has first-hand experience in advocating for and implementing policy change to support intervention instead of suspension for vaping and has experienced success with using DBT as a strategy for students who need more intensive services to address addiction.
Barri Sky Faucett, MA
A nationally certified trainer and facilitator, Barri Faucett’s suicide prevention and intervention experience comes from both a clinical setting and as a director in implementing programming statewide. Her work is a passion beyond profession in serving as an advocate for those who fight to stay alive as well as those who’ve lost their loved ones. Barri Faucett, MA serves as the Director of Prevent Suicide WV, overseeing and implementing directives designed to address suicide prevention, intervention and postvention work, providing oversight and technical assistance in implementation of practices and increasing capacity building initiatives for statewide prevention efforts. Barri uses her life experience and professional life’s work to help change and support the lives of others. Founder of The Sky’s No Limit and co-founder of You Matter I Matter, Barri uses her own personal experiences as well as her professional life’s work to help change and support the lives of others pertaining to loss and trauma.
Susan Gamble, Ed.D.
Dr. Susan Gamble serves as the Director of the West Virginia Statewide Afterschool Network (WVSAN) through West Virginia University Extension. She has a Doctorate in Education in Higher Education Administration, and a Master of Public Administration and Master of Social Work from West Virginia University.
Brittany Gould, M.Ed.
Brittany Gould has been working with students in residential and foster care for seventeen years, fifteen of those have been in education. She is currently the lead Foster Care Education Specialist for the WV Schools of Diversion and Transition and supervisor of the Middle College Options Program at Fairmont State University. Brittany obtained her bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education with an emphasis on Social Studies from Glenville State College in 2007. Brittany attended Fairmont State University to complete her master’s degree in Multi-Categorical Special Education in 2011. Later in 2017, Brittany obtained her post-master’s certificate in Educational Leadership from Marshall University. Brittany is also a Certified Trauma and Resilience Practitioner.
Rachel Goff, MBA
Rachel Goff began her career as a Human Resource Specialist in the Bureau for Behavior Health where she learned about community program needs. After a couple of years, she moved to the Bureau for Medical Services as a Program Manager, assisting in the growth and expansion of the CSED Waiver and residential services. Currently working for the Bureau of Social Services as Senior Program Manager, she continues her passion for working with children, youth, and families in the State of WV to gain access to home and community-based services to stay in their homes.
Larryelle Greenhow, MA
Larryelle Greenhow is a strong community and social services professional, skilled in K-12 Education, with a superb record of student support and satisfaction. She spent over 20 years within the school setting–teaching grades 4-7 and working as an elementary school administrator. In her current role as Account Executive, Larryelle develops and supports relationships with educational leaders, teachers, and youth development organizations to promote and implement Harmony Academy resources across the country. She is an exciting and engaging presenter whose goal is to help educators create inclusive, supportive classrooms where students can grow, learn, and excel.
Kassie Gunnoe, LGSW
Kassie is a school social worker from New River Health and part of the Project AWARE team at Oak Hill High School. She partners with school administrators, staff, and community organizations to provide support for Fayette County students and families.
Stephanie Hayes, MA
Stephanie Hayes currently serves as the state coordinator for school counseling in the Office of Safety and Tiered Supports at the WV Department of Education. She earned a master’s degree in School Counseling and a WV Professional Student Support Certificate (PK-AD Counselor and Social Services and Attendance). Stephanie also has a Professional Administrative Certificate with an endorsement for Principal and Superintendent. She current serves on the Governor’s Council on Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment, is the Co-chair of the Prevention Subcommittee for the Governor’s Council, is the Co-chair of the WV Expanded School Mental Health Steering Team, is an active member of the WV Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Committee, and the WV Suicide Prevention Coalition.
Stephanie has over 25 years’ experience in the education and behavioral health fields. She has worked in several roles throughout her career which all focused on improving student success through mental health services and student support. Stephanie is experienced in school-community collaborations, program development, multi-tiered systems of support, program evaluation, crisis intervention, and policy development.
Georgia Hughes-Webb
Georgia Hughes-Webb, the WVDE Director of Data Analysis and Research, has two decades of experience collecting, analyzing, reporting, and protecting data in various contexts. In her current role, she provides information and guidance to WVDE colleagues, district- and school-level staff, and external partners about each party’s responsibilities to secure student data and protect the privacy of students and their families. Georgia’s favorite FERPA phrase is “legitimate educational interest,” and she is proud to work with educators to ensure students’ interests continue to be respected and protected.
Amy Knicely, MA
Amy Knicely is the State Education Agency Coordinator for Project AWARE WV. She has 16 years of classroom experience including elementary, secondary, and correctional education. She holds multiple K-12 content certifications and a School Principalship from Marshall University. Previously, she served as a Coordinator in the Office of Early & Elementary Learning at the WV Department of Education.
Lauren Landry, MA, NBCC
Lauren Landry is currently the Academic Counseling Coordinator in the office of PK-12 Academic Support at the West Virginia Department of Education. She oversees graduation requirements, transcripts, Promise Scholarship, Standards for Student Success, and other school counseling related activities. She previously worked as a high school counselor in West Virginia.
Robin Lawrence, M.Ed.
Robin is a Senior Impact Manager with the Cook Center for Human Connections with over 25 years of experience in special education and the edtech industry, including professional development, customer success, operations, marketing, and sales leadership. She has held key leadership roles at Instructure, MasteryConnect, Adaptive Curriculum, and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. As a Special Education teacher, Robin was a founder of a high school credit recovery program to support at-risk students.
David Lee
David Lee has been in education for 47 years as a teacher, coach, principal, 21st CCLC coordinator for the WVDE and recently retired as Director of Student Support and Well-Being at the WVDE. He has been working throughout the state of WV for the Cook Center for Human Connections for three months. He is also an associate pastor at THE CAVE CHURCH in Norton, Va. He has been married for thirty years to his lovely wife, Gina. He has two children, Aaron age 40 who works for SAP software; his daughter Chelsea who is an elementary principal in Johnson City, Tn. They have one grandson, Jack, who is the “apple of their eye.”
Kim Legg, BA, MA, Ed.S.
Kim Legg is a native of Greenbrier County, West Virginia and currently lives in Barboursville, WV. She is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist, and holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Marshall University’s College of Liberal Arts as well as a Master’s Degree in Psychology and Education Specialist Degree in School Psychology from Marshall Graduate College. Kim served as a School Psychologist for 11 years in West Virginia. She has worked with GameChanger since August 2022 and is currently the Director of Program Implementation.
Stacey Losh
Stacey Losh has been with the West Virginia Department of Education since 2019, working in the Office of School Improvement and serving as the contact for attendance. With 16 years of dedicated teaching experience and two years as a literacy specialist at the June Harless Center, Stacey is deeply committed to fostering safe and supportive learning environments. Currently, she serves as the Office of Safety and Tiered Support Systems Manager, where she leverages her extensive background to implement strategies that enhance educational outcomes for all students. Through collaboration with districts and support with providing evidence-based interventions, Stacey is dedicated to creating inclusive systems that address diverse needs, ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed.
Paige Mathias, BA, BS, PSII, ICPS
Paige is currently a Director of Prevention for GameChanger focusing on providing guidance to the Student-Powered Prevention Movement that is empowering students to become leaders of tomorrow by embracing healthy and substance free lifestyles. Along with the GameChanger team, she works to provide educational training, coaching, and other supportive prevention services throughout West Virginia.
Previously she served as the Regional Prevention Coordinator at the Potomac Highlands Guild. Under the West Virginia Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPT) Block Grant, provided through the WV Department of Health and Human Resources – Bureau for Behavioral Health, she covered Region 2 (Berkeley, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson, Mineral, Morgan and Pendleton counties) in the state of West Virginia. In this position she provides leadership regarding multiple state grants (SAPT, WVPFS, SOR, SPF-Rx) to implement prevention services and training related to substance use disorder. She maintains a strong focus in evidence-based prevention programming, strategic planning, workforce development, community mobilization and coalition building.
Before working in the prevention field, Paige worked in pre-college enrichment at the University of California, Santa Barbara providing academic counseling and social mentoring. She completed two terms as Community Coordinator for AmeriCorps Energy Express and worked as a substitute teacher covering English, Spanish and Social Studies (k-12) in the state of West Virginia.
Other professional experiences include public relations campaigns, advertising campaigns, special event planning, fundraising and volunteer recruitment. She received her Bachelors of Science in Journalism (concentration in Public Relations) and Bachelors of Arts in History from West Virginia University simultaneously in December 2004. She earned the Certified Prevention Specialist I in November 2015 and Certified Prevention Specialist II in August 2017 from the WV Board of Addiction and Prevention Professionals and the International Certification for Prevention Specialist in November 2017 from the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium.
Jonathan “Liljon” McCormick
Liljon McCormick is currently a Coordinator for the West Virginia Department of Education Office of Career Technical Education. Before joining the West Virginia Department of Education, Liljon worked at the Calhoun-Gilmer Career Center, Calhoun County, for eleven years. Six of those years, Liljon taught electronics, robotics, and computer repair. The last five years he was the ProStart, Commercial Baking and Pastry, and Tourism Instructor. He’s married to his wife Virginia, and they have four awesome children.
Teresa McCourt, MS
Teresa McCourt is the Stalking and Prevention Coordinator for the WV Foundation for Rape Information and Services, with over 25 years of experience in human services leadership. She holds an MS in Strategic Leadership and a BS in Behavioral Sciences from Mountain State University and is a licensed social worker. Teresa’s expertise spans program design, development, and evaluation, particularly in disability services, corrections, and offender rehabilitation. She has served in leadership roles within the WV Division of Corrections, including Warden of Anthony Correctional Center. At WVU’s Center for Excellence in Disabilities, she oversaw statewide programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In her current role, she focuses on sexual violence prevention and stalking intervention.
Heather McChesney, MA
Born and raised in Charleston, WV, Heather McChesney has made many areas of the Mountain state her home. After graduating with her bachelor’s in English and her master’s in Secondary Education, Ms. McChesney taught in Harrison, Monongalia, and Morgan counties before making her way home to continue her teaching career in Kanawha County. For a little over a decade, she has served as the Coordinator of Curriculum, Professional Development, and Education Initiatives for the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and West Virginia Community and Technical College System. In this position, she and the Student Affairs team oversee, implement, and manage multiple statewide college access and student success initiatives, including the West Virginia GEARUP program, that help students throughout the educational pipeline work to make their postsecondary and career dreams a reality. McChesney is also the dog mama to Mr. Murphy and RocketMan, proud aunt to Josie and John, and a vivacious reader of the written word.
Drew McClanahan
Drew McClanahan serves as the Director of the Office of Leadership Support for the West Virginia Department of Education. Prior to this role Drew served both as a curriculum and administrative assistant principal in Kanawha County Schools. Drew began his career teaching United States History and Special Education. Drew’s work with leadership has supported both beginning and experienced principals, throughout the state of West Virginia, with a focus on research-proven strategies and beliefs related to a learning for all mission.
Shelly Mize, BSW, LSW, PSII
Shelly Mize is currently a Director of Prevention for GameChanger, focusing on providing guidance to the Student-Powered Substance Misuse Prevention Movement in West Virginia. Along with the GameChanger team, she works to provide educational training, coaching, and other supportive prevention services throughout West Virginia. Previously, she served as the Regional Prevention Coordinator at Westbrook Health Services. Under the West Virginia Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPT) Block Grant, she covered Region 3 (Calhoun, Jackson, Roane, Wirt, Wood, Pleasants, Ritchie, and Tyler Counties) in the state of West Virginia. In this position, she provided leadership regarding multiple state grants to implement prevention services and training related to substance use disorder.
Mark Moore
Mark Moore has been a trainer of educational technology for nearly 30 years.
Candice Pauley, MSW, LGSW
Candice is a mental health therapist in the community of Kanawha County WV. She worked as a social worker in the schools for over 8 years and saw firsthand the impact on students and the adults that work with them. Candice has worked in mental health in many areas including inpatient, outpatient and in school.
Susan M. Peck, BS
Suzanne M. Peck has dedicated her life to “Saving the world, one reader at a time” after working in a juvenile corrections facility and realizing that most of this population struggled to be able to read. She has worked with at-risk populations and programs ever since in numerous capacities at the school, district, and state levels. After five years as the Idaho Homeless Education State Coordinator, she joined the SERVE Center at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro supporting students experiencing homelessness nationwide with her work as a Program Specialist for the National Technical Assistance Center for Homeless Education in 2022. She realizes how difficult it is to teach a child when they are hungry, tired, or experiencing trauma. She received a bachelor’s degree from Utah State University and has been an educator dedicated to serving the most vulnerable students for 20+ years.
Donna Hoylman Peduto
Donna Peduto currently serves as Executive Director, West Virginia Public Education Collaborative. WVPEC is composed of various educators from West Virginia and the national arena that have come together to champion public education from early childhood to post-secondary levels at a time when it faces significant challenges but remains critically important to the nation’s future.
Ms. Peduto recently served as Director of Operations for the West Virginia Board of Education (WVBE), Ms. Peduto was a key liaison to the WVBE members, the West Virginia Department of Education executive leadership, Governor’s Office, chairs of the legislative education committees, as well as other leaders and organizations around the state. In positions at both the WV State Board of Education and WV Department of Education she has had experience in drafting policy and code, i.e. School Innovation Zones Act. Through her affiliation with national organizations such as the National School Boards Association and the Council of Chief State of School Organization, she is also familiar with drafting national education policy. Prior to coming to the WV Board of Education, Ms. Peduto served as Director of the Learning Lab Network Sites for the Stupski Foundation; a San Francisco based educational foundation, where she established a national network of six high schools in various states to incubate effective and innovative practice within the K12 environment.
While with the West Virginia Department of Education, Ms. Peduto served in leadership roles in the Offices of Organizational Effectiveness, Professional Preparation, and 21st Century Leadership. She was named the first West Virginia State Coordinator of the first Innovation Zones Initiative and later served as director of the 21st Century Community After School Learning Centers and Schools of Excellence. Ms. Peduto was also Director of K-12 Initiatives at the EdVenture Group, where she supported the development and execution of projects related to K-12 technology training, curriculum, and research and consulting. As director, she led multiple educational research and technology-based programs in collaboration with organizations such as the National Science Foundation, the US Department of Education, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Tana Pendell, MPA
Tana Pendell was born and raised in Charleston, WV. Tana has a background in psychology and has worked with the WV Higher Ed Policy Commission since 2009, where she began as an Education Outreach Counselor. Tana enjoys working to help West Virginia students pursue their dreams and has worked in various roles in the Financial Aid Division, including Promise Scholarship Program Manager, Financial Aid Manager, and now Director of State Financial Aid Programs helping oversee over 100 million in state financial aid each year in West Virginia.
Tana is a mother to two children, Cadence (16) and Presley (13), and enjoys spending time with her family, reading, traveling, attending concerts, boating/beaching, and teaching dance cardio/fitness classes in her free time.
Crystal Price, MSW, LICSW
Crystal Price is a social worker from WV. She is a practicing therapist and clinical supervisor. Crystal is a Parent Child Interaction Therapist (PCIT) Trainer and works with all age ranges. Crystal and her husband started MCN to increase mental health supports in WV.
Laura Radcliff
Laura Radcliff was born and raised in Gassaway WV. She currently lives with her husband, 4 kids and one dog. She started her career in insurance in 2006 after raising her children. She started her work at the state with the Bureau of Medical Services in 2021 and is currently managing the Children’s with Serious Emotional Disorder Waiver, the Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities and the Children’s residential Facilities.
Jennifer Rojas, BA
Jennifer Rojas is a Senior Impact Manager with the Cook Center for Human Connection and holds a Psychology degree from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL. Jennifer has worked with schools for more than 20 years in educational technology as a Regional Curriculum Specialist, Educational Sales Director and content specialist in Reading, Science, and Multilingual Learning. Having worked with districts across the nation, Jennifer is now committed to bringing mental health resources to parents, caregivers and teachers to help their children thrive in life. She lives in Ocean Pines, Maryland, where she recently fulfilled a long-standing goal of becoming a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200) to provide classes and workshops in her community.
Lauren Smith, MA
Lauren Smith is a school counselor at South Middle School in Monongalia County. Before serving as a middle school counselor since 2021, she worked at Morgantown High School as a high school counselor. She was the counselor for the Class of 2017 and the Class of 2021. Prior to working in Monongalia County, she worked at Tucker County High School in Tucker County, WV. She learned to cross-country ski while in Tucker County and continued her downhill skiing hobbies in Canaan Valley. Currently in Morgantown, she serves as a WV Speaker’s Bureau liaison and piloted the program at South Middle School last academic year. She has replaced her skiing hobbies with yoga, travel, and way too much sushi. And most importantly, she enjoys time with those she loves.
Allen Tanner, MA
Allen is the current principal at Clay County High School. He has twelve years’ experience in education as a classroom teacher and an administrator, has been awarded Teacher of Excellence by Clay County Schools and led his schools PBIS efforts to become a PBIS Model High School in 2023-2024.
Victoria Taylor, MSW
Victoria Taylor is a Program Manager with The EdVenture Group and Family Engagement Specialist with the West Virginia Family Engagement Center. Victoria graduated from West Virginia University with her master’s in social work, and a B.A. in Criminology along with minors in Law and Legal Studies and Addiction Studies. Victoria supports the organization’s family engagement, prevention, and leadership programs, and she manages development and implementation of programs that benefit youth, educators, and broader communities throughout Appalachia. Victoria uses her passion areas, beliefs, and skillsets to empower and encourage others.
Victoria has completed internships with CASA for Kids of Monongalia and Preston Counties and the Northern District of West Virginia Drug Court Program, which allowed her to explore her interests while gaining new perspectives on how she can empower and encourage individuals in her home state of West Virginia. While interning for CASA for Kids MPC, she created and organized the Back-to-School Supply Drive. Over 1,500 supplies and donations for children in the community were collected. The NDWV Drug Court Program allowed her to observe and participate as a team member, expanding her knowledge of the rehabilitative program, the criminal justice system, and substance abuse culminating in a capstone project and presentation.
Lisha Tignor, Ed.S. NCSP
Lisha Tignor currently serves as the Coordinator of School Psychology in the Office of Special Education at WVDE. Her focus areas include psychological evaluations for special education eligibility, behavioral threat assessment and management (BTAM), advancing positive behavior intervention and supports (PBIS), identification and early intervention for dyslexia, WV tiered system of support (WVTSS) implementation, and coordinating indicator 18 of the SPP/APR. Her academic credentials include a master’s in psychology, education specialist in school psychology and post-master’s certificate in Educational Leadership. She is also a Nationally Certified School Psychologist. In her free time, you can find her hiking with her dogs, mountain biking, or doing yoga.
Cassandra Toliver, MSHRM
Cassandra Toliver is a Program Manager 2 for Treatment and Recovery Services in the Office of Children, Youth and Families at the WV Bureau for Behavioral Health. Cassandra has a master’s degree in human resources management from Marshall University and a BS Degree in Business Administration from Bluefield State College. Cassandra has almost 30 years of experience in the behavioral health services and intellectual and developmental disabilities services with a little over 19 of those being within the WVDHHR. She’s held a variety of positions over her work life including Crisis Counselor, Behavior Management Specialist and many levels of supervisory positions. Cassandra’s focus for the past few years has been building and expanding crisis services within WV and she participates with many national groups to help with building and expanding the crisis system in WV. Cassandra sits on NASMHPD’s CYF Division Committee which focuses on minority issue.
Michelle Toman
A passionate and tireless advocate for change across her state and nation, Michelle Toman has dedicated her life to serving others as a result of life’s most difficult circumstances and experiences. For nearly 30 years she’s served those around her in grief and trauma while advocating for change in legislative systems at state and national levels. The sole survivor of her family as a child, she learned early on how to be friends with the beast of grief and navigate a journey involving complex trauma; additionally, she lost her younger brother to suicide in 1994.
As a long-term multiple loss survivor, Michelle serves on multiple national and state foundations/coalitions and has been a leader in the fight against suicide. A nationally multi-certificated trainer and facilitator, she has delivered thousands of programs, presentations, training, and grief support groups in her efforts to make communities stronger and safer in prevention, intervention and postvention. A beacon of hope for countless individuals and families she’s been named one of West Virginia’s Wonder Women and National Advocate of the Year, as well as received the Fighting for Justice and Power of Performance Changing Lives Award for her efforts. Michelle serves as a program developer with Keepers of Life, operates MT & Company, is the founder of Brother Up and co-founder of You Matter I Matter. She brings a unique first-hand perspective to trauma, grief, coping, and healing – while empowering others to be the author of their own story through tragedy, lost innocence and difficult life experiences.
Autumn Wagoner, LICSW
Autumn Wagoner is the Adolescent Support Coordinator at Mission West Virginia where she works with youth experiencing any hardship in their lives including trauma, abuse, unhealthy relationships, dating violence, mental health, substance use, high-risk sexual behaviors, or any other life situation that makes it difficult for a youth to function on a day-to-day basis. Autumn is also a sexual assault/intimate partner violence therapist at the University of Charleston through the SAVE program. Autumn received her bachelor’s and master’s in social work from the University of Akron and is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in West Virginia.
She has been in the field for 12 years and her previous experiences include working with older adults, addiction, adjunct professor at the University of Akron, and was a mental health therapist for adults, teens, and children. Autumn partnered with the West Virginia Board of Education in the creation and implementation of Meghan’s Law, a new house bill educating all staff, faculty, and 5th-12th grade students in West Virginia on eating disorders and self-harm. Autumn is very passionate about mental health, particularly youth and young adult mental health and advocating for their mental health needs.
Kristi Walter, MA
Kristi Walter is the Coordinator of McKinney-Vento and Title I Part D programs at the West Virginia Department of Education. With over 10 years of experience in the education field, Kristi has a rich background in teaching special education, general education, and serving as an elementary school principal. She holds a master’s degree in educational leadership, which has equipped her with the skills to advocate for and support vulnerable student populations. Kristi is dedicated to advancing educational equity and ensuring that all students have the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.
Jennifer Wotring
Ms. Wotring has over 20 years of program development, implementation, and management experience. For more than 15-years, Ms. Wotring has supported the work of after school programs, most notably Preston County School’s (WV) After School Explorers program and has provided training on various topics to a variety of audiences. As a Family Engagement Specialist with The EdVenture Group’s West Virginia Family Engagement Center, Wotring has supported multiple schools in their efforts to increase family and community engagement and utilizes her knowledge to support out of school time programs working to increase family engagement. Wotring serves as the event lead for the organizations, overseeing all event planning and on-site logistics coordination for all in-person dissemination activities.
Nikki Godfrey, MSW, LGSW
Nikki Godfrey has worked for the West Virginia Foundation for Rape Information and Services (WVFRIS), the state’s sexual assault coalition, for over 15 years. As Assistant State Coordinator, Nikki is committed to addressing harmful social norms and oppressive systems to prevent violence and improving responses to survivors to mitigate harm.
Nikki graduated from WVU with a Masters in Social Work and is a licensed social worker in West Virginia. Prior to joining WVFRIS, Nikki worked for the Department of Health and Human Resources as a Child Protective Service Worker, provided services to children who experienced abuse and neglect, and worked with high risk families in an effort to prevent abuse. She served as a volunteer advocate for HOPE, Inc. and the Harrison County CASA Program from 2009-2014, and served on the Board of Directors for the Harrison County CASA Program from 2016-2022.
Nikki is passionate about working with and supporting organizations, both personally and professionally, that have an invested interest in providing culturally responsive services to marginalized populations.
Whitney White, MAT Special Education
Whitney White is a Coordinator at the West Virginia Department of Education, Office of Special Education. Whitney started her career in Lincoln County, WV at Duval PK-8 as a middle school special education teacher and later an Educational Diagnostician in Boone County, WV. Whitney aspires to advocate for students who receive special education services!
Samantha Williams, MSW, LGSW
Samantha Williams is a dedicated and experienced social worker with a passion for supporting families and children. She holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) and a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from Marshall University. Samantha has a strong background in managing and implementing programs that enhance the well-being of children and families, particularly in educational settings.
Currently, Samantha serves as the Project AWARE Manager for Cabell County Schools, where she establishes goals, coordinates resources, and supervises mental health professionals across three schools. Her previous roles include Transitional Social Worker at Cabell County Schools, where she provided individual and group therapy, crisis management, and professional development training, and Foster Care Team Supervisor at Necco, where she oversaw treatment planning and advocated for foster families and children.
Tami Jo Wilt, MS
Tami Jo Wilt serves as the Quality Program Coordinator for the West Virginia Statewide Afterschool Network. Prior to serving with the WVSAN, she was a science teacher for 11 years in West Virginia and Texas. She has a Master in STEM Education from the American College of Education and a Bachelor of Education with a secondary science endorsement.
Alicia Ziman, MA
Alicia Ziman is the Coordinator for the West Virginia Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports Project that is housed at the West Virginia Autism Training Center’s Behavior/Mental Health Technical Assistance Center at Marshall University. She holds a BA degree in Multidisciplinary Studies and a Master’s (+30) degree in Elementary Education with a specialization in Early Childhood Education. In her current position, Alicia oversees the training, fidelity, and data-collection for schools who are implementing PBIS. Alongside her team, they also provide training on Trauma, Dealing with Challenging Behaviors, Best Classroom Practices, Data-Informed Decision Making, Function- Based Assessments, Family Engagement and other topics. Alicia is passionate about emphasizing the importance of building strong behavioral systems as a foundation for student success.
Summer Goller
Summer Goller is a 21st CCLC Program Director for Morgan County’s afterschool program (MC After 3), as well as a Project Director for the Morgan County Partnership’s Drug Free Communities (DFC) and Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking (STOP) grants. She is passionate about providing safe, high quality out of school time spaces, educating students and their families about substance use and leveraging the community as a whole to assist with these efforts.
She has a Bachelor of Science in News-Editorial Journalism and a Master of Arts in Corporate and Organizational Communication, both from West Virginia University. She is a proud mom to 4 adult children: 2 WVU alums, 1 current WVU student and 1 serving our country in Arizona at the border of Mexico and has 2 exceptionally beautiful grandchildren.
Melody Stotler
Melody Stotler is the Program Coordinator for Morgan County Partnership and currently works under the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) grant. She is passionate about addiction, recovery and prevention because of her experience with her own daughter. In 2013 Melody co-founded the group Life or Drugs, Tri-State Support. She is now the Executive Director for the non-profit and leads a weekly support group in Berkeley Springs, WV. She also works as an Advocate Supervisor for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of the Eastern Panhandle which advocates for children involved in abuse & neglect cases. Additionally, she works part-time as an Emergency Medical Technician for Morgan County Rescue in Berkeley Springs, WV. Melody previously worked in healthcare for over 20 years providing training and supervision to a Federally Qualified Health Care Center.
She graduated as a Medical Assistant and also obtained a Business/Computer Education certification from James Rumsey Technical Institute. She has received additional training in substance use disorders and prevention. She is an instructor for Naloxone/Overdose Response and provides training to law enforcement, as well as community members. She serves as a volunteer in various roles within her community and was named Women of Distinction in 2020. She enjoys sharing her story in hopes of helping others.
Amber Glennon
Amber was born and lived in Southern California until 1992, when she moved to Berkeley County, WV. She is a graduate of Hedgesville High School in Hedgesville, WV. She attended the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and completed her Bachelors’ Degree in Biochemistry at Shepherd University. In 2004, Amber began working with the Martinsburg/Berkeley County Club as a member of the Summer Program Staff. In 2007, the Boys & Girls Club of the Eastern Panhandle in partnership with RESA VII received their first 21st CCLC grant where Amber became the Project Director for the program.
While Amber has held multiple positions in the Club since 2004, her love for learning has kept 21st CCLC programs in the Martinsburg/Berkeley County since that time. She is the current Director of Grants and Operations for the Boys & Girls Club of the Eastern Panhandle and continues to oversee the 21st CCLC program. Her expertise and networking over the many years have led to a solid 21st CCLC program in Berkeley County with a wide network of community resources for the families being served.
Amber lives in Martinsburg with her husband, two sons, two dogs and a cat.
Ashley James
Ashley James has been an employee with Kanawha County Schools since 2006. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Marshall University. She taught kindergarten and 3rd grade before becoming an administrator. She has been in an administrator position for the past 12 years. She lives in Belle, WV with her 14-year-old daughter, Drea, her 2 dogs and her husband, John James. Ashley proudly serves on the Step By Step board and she is an active member of the East End Association.
Hannah Cooper, MSW, CCTP
Hannah Cooper is one part social worker, one part teacher, with a dash of trauma therapist for taste. After working for five years in school improvement as a trauma-curriculum specialist, and two previous in crisis intervention, she understood that the emotional well-being of students directly impacts their behavior, engagement, and readiness to learn. In Hannah’s current role as MTSS Coordinator at the West Virginia Department of Education, she hopes to bring capacity and optimism to educators throughout the state in addressing student behavior.