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Educational Service Center of Lorain County

HOW CAN WE HELP?

Welcome!

Below is a list of all our departments that includes contact information and how we can help you find the answers to the questions you might have.  If you can't find what you are looking for, please call our main phone number, 440.324.5777, or email [email protected] and we can assist you.  This phone number is also used for each person listed below unless noted. Their extension will be listed with their email.

LEADERSHIP

SUPERINTENDENT
  franco galloFranco Gallo 
| [email protected] | ext. 1115
 I can help you with numerous items including navigating the Lorain County ESC's services, connecting with our Lorain County  Schools, and advocacy for our schools. I am OTES 2.0, OPES 2.0, and OCES trained.  I am the vice president of the LERC  health insurance consortium, a board member of the United Way, GCSSA, and Connect.  I serve on several committees with  ODE, OESCA, and BASA.  If you have any questions regarding the ESC of Lorain County I am able to assist you.  
        
 
ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT 
 dave kish  Dave Kish | [email protected] | ext. 1156
 I can support you with scheduling professional development for the region, a district, or even a building.  I am able to find  consultants for the work you need to accomplish and can also help train your staff in OTES 2.0, OPES 2.0, OSCES, HQSD, and  assessment literacy.  
 


DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
kelly dever   Kelly Dever | [email protected] | ext. 1141
 I can help you navigate benefits, leave requests, employment forms, licensure, policies, and other HR processes. I can also assist with onboarding, employment verification, workplace concerns, and finding the information or resources you need. If you're not sure where to start, I'm happy to answer your questions and connect you with the right support.  



DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION
  danielle holztragerDanielle Holztrager | [email protected] | ext. 1132
 I am here to help districts by providing professional development, provide assistance in hiring of related service staff, and being  a resource for their Special Education Departments.
 



DIRECTOR OF STATE SUPPORT TEAM REGION 2
kristin fazio Kristin Fazio | [email protected] | ext. 1136
I can support you in the area of Special Education and Early Childhood. I can also connect you with experts in the areas of School Improvement, Literacy, and Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports, and Family Engagement. 




DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
dave miller Dave Miller| [email protected] | ext. 1195
I support districts with workforce development initiatives, coordinate the Lorain County BAC, and help connect schools with local businesses for real-world learning opportunities. I also assist with career pathway development and serve as a contact for ESC–district technology connections.




DIRECTOR OF WELLNESS & PREVENTION
cathy papp   Cathy Papp | [email protected] | ext. 1134
I am here to help support districts in building comprehensive wellness and prevention systems through coaching, professional learning, and consultation.Whether it’s supporting mental health, social-emotional learning (SEL), community connections, or safety protocols, I’m here to help your team create a safe and supportive school environment.




Visit our Curriculum and Instruction webpage and our online PD Catalog for current events. 

BOARD AGENDA | HUMAN RESOURCES | LPDC

monique rinehart   Monique Rinehart | [email protected] | ext. 1115
I can assist with all areas of licensure, LPDC, and board agendas, minutes and policies.
 
 
Visit the Board Agendas/Minutes webpage and view the LPDC Brochure. 

BAC | CAREER COACHES

rena mcclellan  Rena McClellan | [email protected] | ext. 1103
  Career Coach



kennie searight Kennie Searight | [email protected] | ext. 1163
  Career Connection Consultant - Workforce Development



kelly smith  Kelly Smith | [email protected] | ext. 1106
  Career Coach

COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

kim sheldon   Kim Sheldon | ext. 1144 
I assist the ESC with all forms of communication by promoting events (creating social media posts) and providing coverage of events and submitting stories/photographs to local media outlets and social media platforms. 

EVENT REGISTRATIONS | ROOM RENTALS | WEBSITE | PHOTOGRAPHER

debbie shannon   Debbie Shannon | [email protected] | ext. 1112
I’m happy to assist with anything related to ESC and SST events. I’m also the contact person for conference room rentals (see (info/form for details). In addition, I manage our website content and photograph all of our events.

 

Visit our online PD Catalog and/or our Event Calendar for current events.  

FINGERPRINTING/BACKGROUND CHECKS

 We fingerprint for any organization.  We are not able to complete a background check for concealed weapons or hazmat.  We can answer questions regarding  fingerprinting, results, and billing.
 
 pam gamble Pamela Gamble | [email protected] | ext. 1113
  
 

 
 barb mcintire   Barb McIntire | [email protected] | ext. 1109
 
 
 

GIFTED

COORDINATORS
cathy fischer   Cathy Fischer | [email protected] | ext. 1158
As a parent of a 2e child, former Gifted Intervention Specialist, and advocate for gifted students and high-quality services, I would be happy to respond to any of your questions regarding gifted screening, assessments, identification, services, and acceleration. I can offer assistance to Consortium member districts regarding gifted professional development, EMIS reporting, data analysis, and information relating to ESCLC enrichment programs.
 

alice ogonek  Alice Ogonek | [email protected] | ext. 1145
As an advocate of gifted education programs and gifted students, I can assist you with providing data analysis,   gifted  testing,  professional development opportunities, and ongoing communication to parents, teachers, and administrators.


heather searight Heather Searight | [email protected] | ext. 1135
As an advocate for gifted education and gifted students—and as a parent of gifted children—I bring both professional and personal experience to my role as a gifted coordinator. I am pleased to partner with families, educators, and administrators to support the diverse needs and characteristics of gifted learners through data analysis, the process of gifted testing and identification, and professional development.


ASSISTANT
 pam sykes Pam Sykes | [email protected] | ext. 1100
I track the status of gifted PD hours for teachers of the gifted and provide recommendations for PD opportunities.
 
 


 Visit our Gifted webpage.

LITERACY

SPECIALISTS
We can help you understand the latest literacy research and how to translate that research into effective school-wide practices.  Specifically, we can provide coaching to help administrators plan literacy initiatives at the district or building level, and professional learning to help teachers implement classroom instruction around the Science of Reading and Ohio's Plan to Raise Literacy Achievement. 

jennifer martinez  Jennifer Martinez | [email protected] | ext. 1139
 



olivia weisman  Olivia Weisman | [email protected] | ext. 1117 | Specialist/Supervisor
I can also support district work in compliance with the Dyslexia Support Laws from House Bill 436 in regards to team planning, professional learning, screening, and instructional planning.
 


Visit the Literacy webpage.

PARENT MENTORS

A parent mentor is a parent of a child with a disability who collaborates with school districts and families by providing training, support, and resources.  A unique aspect of parent mentors is that they provide guidance based on a combination of training and personal first-hand experience.
   
  kendis bender Kendis Bender | [email protected] | ext. 1167
Districts Served:  Amherst, Avon Lake, Columbia, Lorain City, Midview, N. Ridgeville, Oberlin
 


ashley kingsboro  Ashley Kingsboro | [email protected] | ext. 1166 
Districts Served:  Bellevue, Elyria, Firelands, Keystone, Monroeville, Norwalk, Sheffield - Sheffield Lake, Wellington

 
 

SPECIAL EDUCATION

danielle holztrager   Danielle Holztrager | [email protected] | ext. 1155
I am here to help districts by providing professional development, provide assistance in hiring of related service staff, and being a resource for their Special Education Departments.
 
 

Visit the Special Education webpage for Occupational Therapy, Orientation and Mobility, Physical Therapy, Project SEARCH, Transition Coordinators, and Visually Impaired. 

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

debbie hunt   Debbie Hunt | [email protected] | 440.324.3174 
I organize and implement special events for all Lorain County schools including Academic Challenge, Spelling Bees, Music Events, Young Authors and Art Shows.



SPEECH-LANGUAGE & HEARING SERVICES

SUPERVISOR
ali solberg   Ali Solberg | [email protected] | ext. 1154 

Please feel free to contact me if you have a question or need information concerning speech-language disorders and disabilities. I assist speech-language pathologists across the districts as they work with students(pre-k through grade 12) with disabilities in communication including receptive and expressive language, social communication, articulation, phonology, stuttering and/or voice disorders.

 

EDUCATIONAL AUDIOLOGISTS

liz striegl   Elizabeth Striegl | [email protected] | ext. 1131 

I provide a full range of hearing services to students with hearing and listening concerns in the schools. I offer services to districts in Lorain, Huron, and Erie counties currently serving 15 districts. I work directly with students to assess their classroom hearing needs. I work with teachers to provide education on hearing loss and use of classroom amplification systems or ear level FM/DM systems. I also work with pupil services, and special education directors to manage, order, and service the equipment needed for their students hearing needs. I collaborate with the schools team on special education plans for students and self advocacy for students with hearing loss. I can also work on hearing conservation programs, noise management programs, for example providing hearing protection to the school band or providing recommendations for classroom noise management. I understand the school-based issues and practices and can assist the school team to understand the link between hearing, language, and learning for their students with hearing challenges. 

 
 shannon syarto  Shannon Syarto | [email protected] | ext. 1138

STATE SUPPORT TEAM REGION 2 (SSTR2)

DIRECTOR
kristin fazio   Kristin Fazio | [email protected] | ext. 1136 
I can support you in the area of Special Education and Early Childhood. I can also connect you with experts in the areas of School Improvement, Literacy, and Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports, and Family Engagement.  
 
 
 
EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANTS

  David Bowlin | [email protected] | ext. 1101 
In my role as an SST Consultant, I focus on the process of school improvement.  Working directly with both District Leadership Teams (DLT) and Building Leadership Teams (BLT), I assist district leaders and building leaders with data analysis, leadership development, all delivered through the Ohio Improvement Process.  I can provide a wide variety of technical assistance including the One Needs Assessment and the development of the One Plan.



 meredith cotterill Meredith Cotterill | [email protected] | ext. 1107
  Early Childhood Specialist




beth diedrick  Beth Diedrick | [email protected] | ext. 1148
 Preschool Special Education Consultant




adam harlty Adam Hartley | [email protected] | ext. 1170
 Math Consultant




mallary mancino  Mallary Hlebovy-Mancino | [email protected] 
  Ohio Mathematics Lead Consultant
 



erica kaufmann  Erica Kaufmann | [email protected] | ext. 1114






sarah marsden  Sarah Marsden | [email protected] | ext. 1165
  Regional Literacy Specilist
I can facilitate or debrief all Ohio Department of Education and Workforce-developed literacy professional learning,facilitate Keys to Comprehension training, provide support in the development and implementation of Reading Achievement Plans, Reading Improvement Plans, and Local Literacy Plans, provide facilitation support performing the R-TFI, analyzing collected data, and action planning, provide system support in the development of literacy-aligned district decision rules and MTSS processes, provide technical support with Ohio's dyslexia support laws and the Third Grade Reading Guarantee, provide support in selecting HQIM, and Universal literacy and OIP support to meet your needs - just ask!
 


  Stefanie Nickels | [email protected] | ext. 1171
  Special Education Consultant
I can provide technical assistance and coaching to regional school districts on all aspects of special education. This includes ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations, guiding the development and implementation of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), promoting evidence-based instructional practices, supporting districts with Special Education Profile requirements, and assisting staff in meeting the diverse needs of students with disabilities.



  Joshua Preece | [email protected] | ext. 1133
  Educational Consultant
I am happy to support the implementation of all 3 tiers of PBIS. I also support schools and districts to increase family partnerships. 
 
 


 courtney seman Courtney Seman | [email protected] | ext. 1157
  Preschool Special Education Consultant
As the Early Learning and School Readiness Consultant, I support early childhood programs with adherence to Preschool rules and requirements as well as implementation of developmentally appropriate practices. My main focus areas include Preschool special education, Step Up to Quality, and curriculum and assessment practices. I am happy to collaborate through trainings, on-site coaching, and technical assistance.



 
colleen szesze   Colleen Szesze | [email protected] | ext. 1128
   Educational Consultant
I can support schools and districts with the Ohio Improvement Process (TBTs, BLTs, DLTs, CSLTs) and with the One Needs Assessment and One Plan.  
 
 
 

 melissa wagner  Melissa Wagner | [email protected] | ext. 1169
  Special Education Consultant
I can help assist with understanding section 5 on IEP using indicator 13 as your guide as well as assist you with agency collaboration to enhance your transition planning.


 

 
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
debbie shannon   Debbie Shannon | [email protected] | ext. 1112 
I am able to assist you with event registration.
 
 
 
    

SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS

pam gamble   Pam Gamble | [email protected] | ext. 1113
I can assist anyone that would like to become a substitute teacher, how to apply, the daily rates, and the districts we serve for substitutes.  
 
 

Visit the Substitute webpage.

TECHNOLOGY

 
DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
dave miller   Dave Miller | [email protected] | ext. 1195 
I can assist districts as they plan for the effective use of technology and technology related strategies inside teaching and learning. Other specialties include assisting districts with the implementation of maker spaces, internet safety training for staff, implementing project based learning, gamifying classroom instruction, and all things Google. I am also the point of contact if you need to talk to someone in charge of all things technology related for the ESC Staff.  

COMPUTER TECHNICIAN
 adam karolak  Adam Karolak | [email protected] |  ext. 1197 
I am the technology support for the ESC staff, teachers and students. I help resolve any software, hardware, network, or other technical issues, as well as maintain our current systems.
 
 
INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST/EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANT 
 (Northern Ohio Research and Training Technology Hub)
mike triska   Michael Triska | [email protected] | ext. 1104
I am an OTES 2.0 State Trainer and Technology Integrationist. Let me help you find high yield strategies and appropriate tech tools that can improve your workflow and elevate your practice. 
 Visit the NORT2H website.
 


WELLNESS & PREVENTION

We can help districts  to empower our educational community to support the systemic implementation of the whole child approach for student success in life and learning.   We can also assist districts in strengthening their multi-tiered systems to provide whole child supports, including mental and behavioral health services to every child. 
 
DIRECTOR OF WELLNESS & PREVENTION
cathy papp   Cathy Papp | [email protected] | ext. 1134 
I am here to help support districts in building comprehensive wellness and prevention systems through coaching, professional learning, and consultation.Whether it’s supporting mental health, social-emotional learning (SEL), community connections, or safety protocols, I’m here to help your team create a safe and supportive school environment.

 
 
 SUPERVISOR OF WELLNESS & PREVENTION
   mindy kaminskiMindy Kaminski | [email protected] | ext. 1140 
I support schools in creating positive, safe, and inclusive learning environments. I offer customized professional development, coaching, and consulting in areas such as PBIS, Restorative Practices, CSTAG, and more. Together, we can strengthen school culture and promote the well-being of all students and staff.  



SUICIDE PREVENTION COORDINATOR
   brooke shermanBrooke Sherman | [email protected] | ext. 1142
I partner with school districts and the community to strengthen suicide prevention efforts through staff training, coaching, and consultation in the areas of suicide risk assessment and safety planning, HB 123 requirements, as well as crisis response and postvention—helping schools create safe, supportive environments for every student.