Director, Mentor Coordinator

Deidre Gilley is a PhD student at Florida State University specializing in the instruction of transition-aged individuals with disabilities. Her research areas include general curriculum access, the development of self-determination skills, the perception of one's ability, and the development of transition programs. This is her second year as the Summer Institute's director and mentor coordinator. She was previously a secondary self-contained classroom teacher in Knoxville, Tennessee and has taught as a teacher at the Summer Institute in 2020. Deidre has her bachelor's degree in K-12 Special Education from Pfeiffer University and a master's degree from Florida State University.

LCS Transition Specialist

Kristy Ward is the Project Manager for Transition with Leon County Schools Exceptional Student Education Department. She is responsible for assisting families and schools with transition planning for their students, ages 12-22. This is her third year as the Summer Institute's Liaison with Leon County Schools and Florida Vocational Rehabilitation. She was previously a secondary self-contained classroom teacher in Gadsden County, FL for 10 years and has also worked as an ESE Program Specialist for Compliance for 9 years. Kristy has her bachelor's degree and master’s degree in K-12 Special Education from Florida State University. Kristy is currently pursuing a second master’s degree with a focus in Educational Leadership at the University of West Florida.

Teacher

Grace Holley is a teacher at the ACE Transition Program, which is geared toward empowering and increasing independence of adults with disabilities. She believes strongly in valuing and cultivating the strengths of her students, while teaching them to do the same through self-determination skills. This is Grace’s 4th year with ACE Summer Institute, having worked in previous years as a mentor coordinator, a paraprofessional, and a teacher. Grace has her Master’s degree in Special Education from FSU, as well as a second major in Music and a minor in Psychology.

Teacher, Assistant Mentor Coordinator

Taylor Shields is a graduate from Florida State University. She earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees in Special Education K-12 from FSU. Mrs. Shields also has endorsements in Autism, ESOL and high incidence education. She just finished her 4^th year teaching at Chaires Elementary School where she is a 3-5 Resource teacher during the school year. This summer will be her 3^rd summer with the ACE Summer Institute. Mrs. Shields was recently married this past March; returning students will remember her as Ms. Owens.

Teacher

Atricia Goode is a graduate of Florida State University. She earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees in Special Education K-12. Mrs. Goode also has endorsements in Reading and English Speakers of other Languages. She just finished her 22^nd year of teaching at Canopy Oaks Elementary School where she is a 3rd grade teacher during the school year. Mrs. Goode has a passion for working with individuals with disabilities. This summer will be her 2^nd summer with the ACE Summer Institute. She is looking forward to another awesome summer at the ACE Summer Institute.

Teacher

Jessica Hubbard is entering her 2nd year at the Summer Institute. During the school year she teaches in a K-2 special education classroom at Sabal Palm Elementary School. She graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. In her spare time, she loves to read and do activities outdoors. She is so excited to get to know everyone and build new relationships this summer!

Paraprofessional

Cara Bryan is a recent graduate of Florida State University of the Special Education BS/MS program. She is planning to begin her teaching career in Leon County School this upcoming fall as an Elementary School Special Education Teacher. Along with her degree, she has endorsements in reading, ESOL, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Cara enjoys helping others develop their self-determination and independent functioning skills.

Paraprofessional

Sarah Liem is recent graduate from Florida State University. She has achieved a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education and a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Planning. Ms. Liem has endorsements in Autism, Reading, and Exceptional Student Education. This will be her first summer as a paraprofessional at the Summer Institute. She has recently finished her full-time Student Teaching experience in Leon County and will be entering her first year of teaching in the Fall of 2022.

Paraprofessional

Shannon Walker is a mother of two. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Florida A&M University and has worked in the social work field since 2014. Her experience includes working as a daycare teacher, paraprofessional, and Child Dependency Case Manager. Currently, she is a Student Case Specialist and Job Coach at ACE. She has worked in this position for the last four years. She is committed to providing supports to help individuals with disabilities to help them reach their full potential.

Paraprofessinal

Rebekah Bell is a recent graduate from Florida State University’s Special Education B.S. and M.S. program. While completing her Master's, Rebekah spent her internship at Chiles High School in a Unique Skills classroom. Through her internship, she found her love for working with older students and promoting skills that will encourage future independence. This will be Rebekah's first year at the Summer Institute and is very excited to be involved.

Paraprofessional

Amanda Ravins is a Sophomore at Florida State University and is currently double majoring in Psychology and Spanish. She is interested in research in the area of Special Education and is currently a part of FSU’s Undergraduate Research Program. She plans to receive her Master’s degree in Special Education, and her goal is to have a career in Elementary Special Education as well as continue with special education research in the future.

Paraprofessional

Delphany Yarborough has been a Leon County Schools paraprofessional for 22 years. This is her second year working with the Summer Institute. She enjoys working with individuals with disabilities as it has been her passion for the majority of her life.

Prinicipal

Jennifer Ricardo is an administrator in Leon County and has been a part of the education world for over 28 years. She has been a teacher, a dean, an assistant principal and principal. Mrs. Ricardo has experience as an administrator in elementary, middle and high schools. She currently serves as the principal of ACE Transitions and ACE Adults with Disabilities program Additionally, Mrs. Ricardo is the principal of Leon County Virtual School. This is her second year as the Summer Institute's administrator. Mrs. Ricardo has her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Florida Atlantic University and a master's degree in Educational Leadership from University of Phoenix.

Assistant Principal

Ashley Crowley is the Assistant Principal for Transitions and Adults with Disabilities at ACE. She is certified in Exceptional Student Education and loves working with students of all abilities. I have a husband, Matt, and a 10 year old son, Liam. In her free time, she loves traveling with her family or reading a good book! This is her first year working with the Summer Institute.