Meet Our Team

Judy has spent most of her life as an educator in the roles of special education teacher, middle level teacher and elementary principal.  Learning, at any level, is a passion. In 2008, she accepted the role of Director of Professional Learning at Southern IN Education Center and in 2012 became Executive Director.  She really has the best job in the world! Her number one goal is to foster strength and certainty in all levels of education that WE CAN BE GREAT!  This means supporting leaders and the growth of leadership in the SIEC region, promoting the development of teacher efficacy and encouraging educators to take the chance and be brave enough to listen to student voices.  First ask, then listen…closely.  

Rilyn has a passion for inspiring students and building excitement around their future. She joins SIEC eager to expand the Workforce Division and grow community partnerships. With her experience as a university Student Success Coordinator, she believes student empowerment is key in setting students up for a bright future!

Katy joins the SIEC team with a passion for empowering educators and students through innovative learning and opportunities. With her Master's in Learning Design and Technology from Purdue University, she's also an IU alumni and proud Hoosier. Katy is excited to bring her previous experience as an Instructional Technology Director and teacher to the team, supporting school districts and community partners with tools and strategies to create engaging and effective learning experiences for all.​​​

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Monica has a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management and is serving SIEC as Director of Special Projects.  She spent 20 years in the business sector, prior to entering the education field in 2017.

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Larry is the Assistant Director of Talent Development.  He retired from Toyota Motor Mfg, Indiana after a 30 year career in automotive manufacturing that involved roles in manufacturing, logistics, and human resources.  He attended Indiana State University for his B.S. in Business Administration and Eastern Kentucky University for an M.S. in Manufacturing Technology.  He resides in Huntingburg, IN with his wife Kristy and their children Benjamin and Cameron.​​

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Amy has a M.Ed in Elementary Education from Indiana State University.  She was a 2nd grade teacher prior to her employment at the SIEC where she has worked for many, many years in various roles.  Details are her strength so she currently works with grant facilitation and budgets, the SW Indiana Food Co-Op, Starlab, workshop planning assistance, and other office specifics.

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Debbie Gries has over 25 years as an educator engaging students as a teacher with middle level math, preschool and elementary grades, special education, and as a principal. She is married with two grown children.  Debbie’s role includes a major focus on the educational aspects for migrant students in the region. She works with other migrant staff to hire, train, and oversee tutors and summer teaching staff. She is the region’s migrant technology liaison implementing related curriculum and troubleshooting technology issues. She communicates with schools regarding academic progress, coordinates interstate collaboration, and assures support services are being provided to migrant students.

Sharon has worked at the SIEC for 34 years.  She works with Accounts Payable / Accounts Receivable, assists with workshop facilitation, and other various office duties.  She attended Vincennes University Jasper Campus and majored in Business Management.   

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Sarah has worked in various roles within the field of education over the last 22 years.  She has worked at Vincennes University with the Educational Talent Search Program, working with low-income and/or first generation college students preparing them for post-secondary education.  The majority of her work has been literacy focused however.  She has taught students from kindergarten to college specifically how to read and how to be a better reader.  The last 12 years she has been a first grade Title I teacher and an instructional and literacy coach in North Gibson School Corporation. This is her first year as a TSS.​​​​​​​​​​​​​

This is my 3rd year as a Training Support Specialist with the Literacy Cadre. Previously, at North Lawrence Community Schools, I taught 4th grade, was district Project Lead the Way Coordinator, and served as an assistant principal.

Alexander Rodriguez is the ID&R Specialist for Region 2. Originally from Costa Rica, he is a certified Spanish teacher from Ohio. Alexander graduated from the University of Costa Rica in Education and did his Graduate work at IUPUI. Alexander’s role includes locating the migrant families as they move into this region. He is usually the first contact for families to determine eligibility for migrant education services with a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). He is a native Spanish speaker who also works to refer families to available public resources in their community.

Lucas has a diverse background in both the construction industry and education.
With 13 years of hands-on experience in construction, including leadership roles as
Construction Manager and Superintendent, he possesses a deep understanding of the
skills, challenges, and career pathways within the field. His additional 10 years of
experience as a Construction Trades Teacher demonstrates his passion for education
and commitment to preparing students for successful careers.

Angelica Tackett is an Identification and Recruitment Specialist for Region 2. She is originally from Chihuahua, Mexico where she worked in the nursing field. What was supposed to be a short trip to Indiana to visit her cousins turned into a much longer stay.  With her husband and three children, Angelica still calls Indiana home. Since then she has worked as an interpreter/translator for different school corporations as well as a migrant clerk/home school coordinator/parent involvement liaison for North White School Corporation for five years. She is currently working on finishing her teaching degree, and is very excited to be part of this great team. 

DeAnne served the southwestern Indiana region from 2014-2020 as the SIEC Director of Professional Learning and is now back in a remote, part-time capacity. She currently serves the Southern Indiana Education Center as a professional learning planner and facilitator while she embarks on the long, but rewarding, journey of earning her Ph.D. in Educational Studies at Ball State University. She is excited for the opportunity to once again work alongside school districts across the state of Indiana.

Oscar Trujillo truly loved his experience teaching math and coaching wrestling in both the middle and high school buildings. The passion of working with students continues to drive his work as education coordinator. He sees a great opportunity in increasing family communication with their respective schools. He also enjoys practicing his Spanish more in this role. He's married with two toddler-aged daughters.