Cohort 1
My name is Amber Marshall. It is my pleasure to be a part of the PAIR-IT Team. Before joining the PAIR-IT Team, I worked in the Houston Independent School District for the last 9 years as a 4th, 5th, and Special Education Teacher. During that time, I graduated from the University of St. Thomas in 2016 with a master’s degree in Educational Diagnostician. The past year I have worked for Trinity Educational Services as a contract Educational Diagnostician. When I am not in the classroom, I enjoy reading, watching movies and TV shows, cooking, and exploring new places through food. It is my hope as an educator to support all students in reaching their true potential in life.
I started working in education three years ago as a substitute teacher. It started as a way to get out of the house, but quickly turned into a passion. Continuing my education at Texas State and being a part of the PAIR-IT program will give me the opportunity to continue working in the education field and give me the knowledge I need to implement the best options for students. My goals for this program are to work within a team setting that will allow for advancements in the area of Special Education, while learning from other students and staff. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, visiting with friends, and traveling.
For the past two years, I’ve worked alongside speech pathologists in a classroom setting, working through speech and learning differences with pre-K through 1st-grade classes. It is my goal to do everything in my power to make education as well as therapy accessible and efficient for students from all backgrounds. Outside of work I enjoy being outdoors in nature, meditating, and practicing yoga.
Hello, I am Clarissa and I currently work for Ki Charter Academy in San Marcos, Texas. I am originally from South Texas and moved to San Marcos in 2015. I love to plant and paint on my free time and I also love to keep active and go on afternoon runs!
Hi everyone! My name is Karla Fierros and I am pursuing my Specialist in School Psychology. This year I will be working as a Graduate Research Assistant and we will be exploring writing interventions for students Grades K-5. Additionally, I am a GRA for the SAMI Lab where we explore growth mindsets and gender stereotypes. On a personal note, I enjoy to workout, paint, and pick up personal projects around the apartment. My plan is to take advantage of this opportunity with PAIR-IT and learn about the importance of interdisciplinary training of school psychology and special education to better serve our students.
My name is Lauren Koetting. I received a B.A. in Psychology from Oklahoma State University. As an undergraduate, being a research assistant and special education teaching assistant allowed me to develop interests related to school psychology and providing students with the best support possible. I believe it is vital that special education teachers and school psychologists are adequately trained for any type of situation they may face, which ultimately leads to students reaching their educational and personal goals. From the interdisciplinary preparation given, I have no doubt that PAIR-IT will continually guide me to work alongside special education teachers.
Hi! My name is Myrna Osbourn. I am originally from Oregon and am the mother of 4 amazing children. My journey with education began 13 years ago teaching Pre-K! I found a love and fascination for teaching and the process of learning which was further nurtured when I homeschooled my children.
Besides observing my own children’s learning, I have had the opportunity to teach math and science as well as assist children in a reading intervention program. In addition, I have assisted children with various exceptionalities in a Life Skills setting and in Inclusion.
From these varied experiences, I have observed the spectrum of learning concerns that a teacher might face in the classroom and this has further ignited a desire to discover ways to serve children. I am very excited to begin the PAIR-IT journey as I believe many of the questions I have will be addressed in this unique and amazing program!
Hi! My name is Raechel Cordy and I am a Wisconsin native who loves authentic cheese curds, traveling, and spending summers on the lake. I received my B.S. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Human Development & Family Studies, Psychology, and Education. Most of my experience with children comes from my role as a Preschool Teacher and Aide, which has fostered my interest in the various ways that children interact with their social, natural, and built environments and how these factors impact child development. I am excited to collaboratively learn with special education students and discover different ways to meet the diverse needs of students. I am confident PAIR-IT will prepare me to be a leader and team member in my future work as a school psychologist working towards improving educational outcomes for students.
Hello, I’m Stacy! I am part of the 2020 PAIR-IT cohort in the Texas State School Psychology program. I received my B.A. in Psychology from Florida International University in Miami, Florida and M.Ed. in Elementary Education from Texas State University. Before joining this program, I worked as an elementary school teacher for several years in Houston, Texas. Working with students has been one of the most fulfilling life experiences and I would like to continue to develop my abilities to better serve them as a school psychologist. My research interests surround family-based behavioral intervention for young children with disruptive behaviors, with a specific focus on application of these skills to youth with ASD and/or chronic medical conditions. I believe through PAIR-IT I will be equipped with the tools necessary to be an advocate for individuals who may not have access to mainstream resources. I will also be able to better support school staff and students who struggle with learning and behavior challenges. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, traveling, exploring local places, and watching movies.