a word from our president

Greetings

Welcome to MOSPA! We are thrilled you have joined our organization and have chosen to be an

active member.

Our Mission

MOSPA was formed in 1975 and has a long and robust history. The purpose of MOSPA is to inform members of the requirements of the Perkins legislation and assist in its implementation at

the local level to ensure that the needs of the special population students are well served at the secondary and postsecondary levels. In addition, a goal of the organization and the state

conference is to enhance the professional development of educators and paraprofessionals working with special population students. Each year the state conference committee puts together an event that meets our members' expressed wishes and diverse needs. We invite you to visit our website to learn more https://mospaonline.org/.

Our Goal

Our goal is to work toward improving the quality of life for all special population students served at the secondary and postsecondary levels. We are delighted to add an active, enthusiastic individual like you to MOSPA, and look forward to many years of rewarding collaboration.

I’m eager to meet you! Please reach out with questions.

Sincerely,

Peter Gonzalez

Petergonzalez@kentisd.org

Past President, Michigan Occupational Special Populations Association

MOSPA Board of Directors

Megan Downey, President 2025-27

(email: megandowney@grcc.edu)

Amanda Koch, President Elect 2025-27

(email: akoch@sisd.cc)

Peter Gonzalez, Past President 2023-25

(email: petergonzalez@kentisd.org )

Jennifer Crabtree, Secretary 2024-26

(email: jcrabtree@standish-sterling.org)

Amanda Koch, Treasurer 2025-26

(email: akoch@sisd.cc)

Brigitte June, At-Large Representative 2023-25

(email: bjune1@wcccd.edu )

Ariel Maturine, Conference Chair

(email: MaturinArielT@jccmi.edu)

Megan Downey, MOSPA President 2025-27

Megan Downey, MOSPA President 2025-27

Regional Representatives

When contacting a member via email, be sure to put MOSPA in the subject line

Region 1

Tim Zimmerman (email zimmermant@gomaroons.org )

Jennifer Marley (email jmorley@eupschools.org )

Region 2

Tammy Kelley (email tkelley@wmisd.org )

Shawn Kadwell (email skadwell@wmisd.org )

Region 3

Peter Gonzales (email petergonzalez@kentisd.org)

Erik Dedenbach (email erikdenbach@kentisd.org)

Marina Pakhomova (email marinapakhomova@kentisd.net)

Region 4

Amanda Koch (email akoch@sisd.cc )

Region 5

Terri West (email twest@lapeerisd.org)

Region 6

Dorothy Getty-Gerlica (email dgetty@inghamisd.org )

Region 7

Katrina Ware-Burchfield (email kburchfield@alleganaesa.org )

Josie Smith (email smithj@branch-isd.org )

Region 8

vacant

Region 9

vacant

Region 10

Rhonda Donovan (email rdonovan@schoolcraft.edu )

Sue Tarrow (email sutarrow@romulus.k12.mi.us )

Region 11

Maria Schmidt (email mschmidt@wcskids.net )

SECONDARY STATE LIAISON

Open

POST-SECONDARY STATE LIAISON

Virginia Zimmerman (email zimmermanv@michigan.gov )

When contacting a member via email, be sure to put MOSPA in the subject line

State of Michigan broken down into MOSPA regions 1-11:

Find the county in which your organization is located. This is your MOSPA Region. Your regional rep