Educational Services

Dahn is the Director of the Educational Services Department and the Deputy Director of R9. She has a Masters of Science in Education, holds a Level-3B administrative license, and is also a level 3 licensed educational diagnostician. Dahn has been with Region 9 for 24 years. She has a background working in early childhood development and special education. Dahn also provides professional development and works as a consultant on evaluation processes and special education across the State of NM for the NMPED Special Education Division through intergovernmental contracts with R9.

Jaretta has worked at R9 for 10 years. She has worked for 21 years in early intervention and nine years in public education. Her experience includes 10 years at the New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (five years in OT and five years as a  transition service coordinator). Jaretta earned her master's in occupational therapy in 2016. She provides direct services to students requiring occupational therapy as part of their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) as well as evaluating students. She provides supervision for three occupational therapy assistants. She is a member of the autism team.

Jennifer Campbell is a master’s level CCC speech-language pathologist with 27 years of experience in the field. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from ENMU in Portales and holds a level 3 speech-language pathologist license. Jennifer has many years of experience supervising speech therapy students and assistants.

Angela has been a physical therapist assistant for six years. Her background is primarily in outpatient settings. She provides direct services to R9 district students. She is excited to work with supporting teams to ensure each student reaches his/her greatest potential.

Shyla Ervin is a new entry-level COTA. She completed her fieldwork experience in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at Carrie Tingley Children’s Hospital and Functional Aquatics, both outpatient rehabs. Shyla graduated from the ENMU-Roswell OTA program in May of 2019 with honors. She recently graduated in May 2020 with a BAAS, concentration in human and social sciences through ENMU Portales, also with honors. Her ultimate goal for the future is to attend and complete a MOTD program in New Mexico or Texas.

April has worked with R9 for 18 years across departments and programs. Apri enjoys building working relationships in the community and throughout the state of New Mexico. Currently, she is coordinating Region 9 Tech Bits in our seven member districts and provides marketing support for internal and state projects.

Amy is a licensed educational diagnostician and a licensed elementary teacher. In her current role, she is supporting our member districts as a special education data software coordinator. Some of her responsibilities include updating procedures to ensure compliance with state and federal Medicaid rules; problem-solving by gathering, analyzing, and sharing data with member districts; and communicating with district personnel to enhance state compliance and maximize reimbursement rates. Additionally, Amy provides overflow diagnostician duties by supporting the Review of Existing Evaluation Data( process).

Chasity is a licensed master social worker with a specialty in clinical social work, working with R9 member schools. She is a level-2 licensed school social worker, who has worked in a school setting with special education children of all ages for the last seven years, across a wide range of mental health areas. Prior experience includes counseling for young adults going through alternative education programs and on-the-job training, supervised visitation, domestic matters court services, CYFD court services/permanency planning/investigations services, and treatment foster care services.

Belem is a licensed clinical social worker working within R9 member schools. She is a level two school social worker who conducts evaluations and provides direct services to special education students. Belem has experience working in the private sector providing trauma-informed services to children, adolescents, and families.

Emmanuel Hernandez completed his associate's degree in cybersecurity at ENMU-Ruidoso. He is self-motivated and an avid lover of technology. He has a degree in AOS (Associate of occupational study in culinary art) and is currently working toward being certified in CompTIA Security+. Emmanuel will work towards a bachelor’s in computer science. At Region 9, he is working with the CTE (Career Technical Education Wind Energy Program while assisting the technology departments at various member district sites.

Szaine has 10 years of experience as a school psychologist. She attended NMSU and received a master's +45 (Ed.S. degree). She is a level-2, nationally certified, licensed school psychologist. She provides direct services to students, support for staff, and collaboration throughout the Region IX Education Cooperative districts. Szaine also has a background in coordinating early childhood evaluations, as she was an early childhood coordinator for six years.

Debbie Hunton is currently a certified educational diagnostician. Debbie recently retired from teaching after 22 years. Debbie has taught regular education reading and literacy, math, and intervention classes. She has also taught special education. Debbie has 17 years of experience as a special education coordinator along with teaching and providing diagnostic services to the Regional Education Center #6 for 15 years.

Jennifer Johnson is starting her 25th year in education. She has a level-3 teaching license and a master’s degree from NMSU in “teaching mathematics.” She has taught in the Ruidoso Schools for the past 23 years (student teaching in 2nd grade as well as many levels up through the high school.) She is excited about the endless possibilities of this new role as an instructional coach.

Shelby studied speech and hearing sciences at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, Texas, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in speech and hearing sciences. She then completed her master’s in speech-language pathology. Shelby enjoys serving and supporting students of all ages with communication needs.

Tim is a speech-language pathologist with six years of experience providing direct speech and language services from early childhood to high school in local school districts. He completed his MS-SLP degree in communicative disorders at Eastern New Mexico University.

Hali is a speech-language pathologist with six years of experience. She completed her MA in communication disorders with a bilingual focus at New Mexico State University. Her SLP experiences include working in early intervention, providing services to students with visual impairments, and working with preschool-aged students.

Donna is a certified educational diagnostician who provides technical assistance resources to districts regarding IDEA and evaluation procedures. She has 22 years of experience in special education ranging from teaching resource classes to being a special education director.

Amanda is a level-3 mentor teacher with 18 years of experience in secondary and early childhood education. Amanda has a bachelor's degree in secondary education and a master's degree in educational administration. Currently, Amanda is coordinating the mentorship program for new teachers, coaching/reviewing dossiers for member districts, and working with our schools as our MLSS coach.

Carma has 35 years of experience as an occupational therapist, in both pediatrics and in the medical field where her primary focus has been in hand rehab. She has worked for Region 9 for 30 years. She served as an occupational therapist for 28 of those years, serving in all capacities including the autism evaluation teams. Currently, Carma serves as the special education consultant and coordinator for district evaluations. Additionally, Carma provides intermediate-level supervision for the related service staff.

Kathryn graduated from the ENMU-Roswell OTA program in the spring of 2019. In her first year as a COTA, she worked for Roswell Independent School District with three-year-old students in the preschool program. Kathryn starts her second year at Region 9.

Megan is a nationally certified school psychologist with four years of experience in both urban and rural settings from Ohio. She attended the University of Dayton and received a M.Ed. and an Ed.S. in school psychology. Megan is joining the Region 9 team as a level I school psychologist and educational diagnostician conducting evaluations in Region 9’s member districts.

Vanessa has an associate’s degree as an occupational therapy assistant and in general studies, a bachelor’s in kinesiology, and a master’s degree in social work and interdisciplinary studies with concentrations in psychology and educational leadership. Vanessa received the Student Hall of Fame Award, MSW Field Student of Excellence, and Employee of the Month at Western New Mexico University. She provides therapy services for Region 9 and is continuing her education in occupational therapy.