Recently, the Family Engagement Team grew by seven, and we're so happy to introduce them to you! Our new Regional Family Engagement Specialists work all across the state.
Wondering which Regional Family Engagement Specialist is in your area? Read about them!
NORTHWEST- Annette Graves - agraves@thearctn.org
Annette Graves is passionate about education and helping to empower children and adults. She has committed thirty years of her life to the area of education. Instructing in self contained and special education inclusion classes. Annette has a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education, A Masters Degree in Administration and Supervision from Trevecca Nazarene University, and recently obtained an additional Masters Degree in Conflict Resolution from Bethel University. Annette graduated from the Partners in Policymaking Leadership Institute, these classes provided leadership and advocacy training for adults with disabilities and their family members. Annette is an active advocate for her grandaughter June, who is on the Autism Spectrum. She is also a volunteer advocate for many people in her community. In her spare time she participates in public service activities through her sorority Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. As a Regional Family Engagement Specialist for the Arc Tennessee she plans to continue her mission to engage, empower and educate families in the Northwest Region.
MID-CUMBERLAND- Kendra Jones - kjones@thearctn.org
Kendra has five plus years of experience working with individuals of all ages in various capacities, in the Mental Health field. She has worked as a Case Manager, Family Engagement Specialist, job coach, and PRE-ETS teacher. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Sociology from Middle Tennessee State University. She also attended graduate school at Lindsey Wilson College and majored in Mental Health Counseling. Kendra has always been passionate about learning, teaching, planning, and being supportive of others. As a Certified Holistic Coach, she enjoys watching individuals grow and develop into the person they desire to become.
UPPER-CUMBERLAND- Jeremy Conner - jconner@thearctn.org
Jeremy has spent over a decade working with those with special needs. His strength and focus was in early childhood where he worked with children for the majority of those years. During this time his passion for seeing kids succeed has guided him to be a coach in various sports. His greatest strength is his infectious enthusiasm. Jeremy is currently working towards his degree in Special Education from Western Governors University where he hopes to gain insight that will help him as a Family Engagement Specialist.
EAST TENNESSEE- Molly Anderson - manderson@thearctn.org
Molly was born with "Apraxia" - a speech disorder. Her passion of helping people with disabilities started when she was in middle school working at a day camp for kids with disabilities. She graduated from Maryville College in 2018. In college, Molly co-authored the American Sign Language Bill that allowed schools across Tennessee to teach ASL as a foreign language credit in Tennessee high schools. She is currently pursuing a masters in Political Management from the George Washington University. She also previously worked as a Project SEARCH skills trainer and a skills trainer supervisor.
SOUTH CENTRAL- Susan Carr - scarr@thearctn.org
Susan has advocated for individuals with disabilities for the past 20 years. Her advocacy began when her oldest daughter was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder. From that moment, Susan began focusing on education, transition, independent living, and employment for individuals with disabilities. She has spent the last 10 years working as a Special Education teacher in both self- contained and inclusive classrooms. She received her degree from Middle Tennessee State but her real education comes from working with families to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities. She is looking forward to meeting new families and continuing advocacy efforts in her new role as a Family Engagement Specialist with The Arc of TN.
SOUTHWEST- Katrina VanBuren - kvanburen@thearctn.org
Katrina is a proud Autism mom first. Katrina's former job for the last 5 years was a public school special education teacher in a self contained classroom. She has a Master's degree in Special Education from University of Phoenix and is currently pursing my ED.S for Educational Leadership, Special Education Director at Arkansas State University. She is excited about her new journey as Family Engagement Specialist with The Arc TN; helping to increase family engagement in special education within schools, families, and communities. She says that she believes that we as Sped parents, caregivers and educators will be grateful for all the resources, strategies, and trainings that will be offered.
COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST- Kayla Jefferies - kjefferies@thearctn.org
Kayla is a communications/marketing expert by profession, and a disability advocate by heart. A Deaf person and ASL user herself, she comes to The Arc Tennessee from Nashville Public Library, and the Library Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. She graduated from Gallaudet University with a Bachelor’s degree in English, and a Bachelor’s degree in Communications, and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree from Regent University. Fun fact: she was formerly Miss Deaf Tennessee.
