FINALSITE - Key Persons
As one of the center's Outreach Specialists, Donna Valverde supports the project or program development and management. She enjoys the creative aspects of her role in marketing, content development, and social media management.
Emilee Cyr, Program Assistant, works behind the scenes to support various projects and programs. She was first introduced to ASL at a young age when her grandmother gifted her "The Joys of Signing" by Lottie Riekkenhof. This ignited her passion for Deaf Culture and finding ways to support the Deaf Community. To her, the best part of working with SOC is being able to provide resources and support to Deaf children across Texas! Outside of work, you can find her either traveling to fun new places, working on various craft projects, or her nose deep in a book.
Heather Parker brings her experience as a deaf mentor and parent guide to SOC's Family Services. As a former itinerant teacher and ECI service provider, Heather is fervently committed to helping families and young children develop a strong language foundation and sense of belonging. In her role as the Birth to 3 specialist, she curates resources and fosters connections that meet the ever-changing needs of families with children who are deaf and hard of hearing.
Job Titles:
- Project Manager for Family Services
As the Project Manager for Family Services, Jennifer Prigge enjoys seeing families engage with their children and a community that provides support. She first connected to SOC as a professional in a local Regional Day School Program for the Deaf (RDPSD). Her experiences with RDSPDs, combined with SOC resources, fortifies her belief that all children who are deaf and hard of hearing and their families should have access to resources and support without judgment.
Nicole Beaver brings 15+ years of experience and passion in deaf education to her role as an Online Resources Outreach Specialist. She brings her expertise to digitalized resources, such as lesson plans, videos, or distance learning classes. As a parent of deaf children and former educator, she knows firsthand the importance of resources being readily available and accessible across the state.
Job Titles:
- Training and Development Specialist
Rachella Moore, Training and Development Specialist, travels across the state to coordinate and host training events, sharing statewide resources and creating meaningful connections within the community of deaf and hard of hearing children. She is also a proud mother of two deaf children.
Job Titles:
- Intervention Care Coordinator
As the Intervention Care Coordinator, Shelly Bergeron can relate to families with newly identified children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Having adopted two Deaf children, she works with families to help them feel connected and not alone as they begin a new journey with a child who is deaf or hard of hearing. Shelly provides referrals to family support, language, and health resources so parents of newly identified children can build a strong foundation of language and communication.