Meet the Team
Learn more about TSBVI Outreach team members on this page. To get in touch, please fill out our Outreach Contact Form and we will reach out!
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Erica Cairns
Erica is the Director of Outreach Programs at TSBVI and serves as the Texas Deafblind Project Coordinator. She joined TSBVI in 2024 bringing experience from her previous role as a specialist in blind, low vision, and deafblind education at Education Service Center Region 13 in Austin, Texas. Erica's journey in the field began as a paraeducator in the Chicago suburbs, followed by her work as an Itinerant teacher of students with visual impairments in Round Rock ISD. With a deep passion for supporting families, students, and educational teams across Texas, Erica is committed to advocating for educational access and opportunities for all children and young adults who are blind, low vision, and deafblind.
Belinda Fayard
Belinda brings extensive experience as an itinerant teacher of students with visual impairments, having served in large and small districts, cooperatives, charter schools, and private school settings. Her work spans birth through age 22, and she also brings the perspective of raising a child with low vision and additional physical disabilities. Belinda is passionate about supporting families as they navigate the unfamiliar world of visual impairment and partnering with professionals who journey with students and their families toward meaningful outcomes.
Kendra Dorty
Kendra joined TSBVI in 2008 and brings extensive knowledge in multimedia from her master’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin in Radio, TV, and Film Production. She leads the Media Team and oversees campus AV projects, multimedia development, and promotional material that support staff, students, and statewide programs. She is also the statewide Conference Coordinator, and is central to managing the technical production, logistics, and collaborative planning efforts. She is passionate about using media, technology, and creative storytelling to enrich the experience audiences have while engaging with the content, programs, and learning opportunities Outreach provides.
VI Team
Ann Adkins
With 50+ years as a TVI and educator, Ann has worked in Outreach since 2000. A TAER Hatlen Award winner, she now serves as Editor-in-Chief of TX SenseAbilities.
Dr. Donna Clemens
An AT Consultant with 27+ years in special education, Donna holds a PhD from TWU. Her research focuses on assistive technology (AT) for students with visual impairments, Virtual Reality (VR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Courtney Forman
With a Master's in Special Education (VI) and over 12 years of experience, Courtney serves as the VI/O&M Mentor Coordinator, providing statewide support for VI professionals through mentoring partnerships and collaborative learning.
Kathi Garza
Before joining Outreach, Kathi taught students with visual impairments and complex access needs and coordinated school year and summer initiatives for TSBVI's Short-Term Programs department.
Carrie Gillespie
With 28+ years in education, Carrie is a teacher and specialist in assistive technology and content development, focusing on tools for students with low vision.
Sara Kitchen
Since 1992, Sara has supported students with complex access needs including visual impairment in various roles before joining the Outreach Department. Her greatest knowledge base is in Active Learning.
Emily Leeper
Emily has 30+ years of experience in the field, serving as both a TVI and an O&M Specialist. She has taught in a variety of settings, primarily as an itinerant teacher. Emily joined Outreach in 2022, focusing on access to academics.
Lynne McAlister
A veteran teacher and leader at TSBVI, Lynne now serves as an Outreach Statewide Consultant specializing in students with complex access needs.
Cyral Miller
A TVI and former TSBVI Outreach Director (1990-2018), Cyral provides statewide technical assistance and works to find long-term solutions for the VI and DB community.
Susan Osterhaus
A TSBVI secondary math teacher for 29 years, Susan now serves as an Outreach consultant. She is a BANA committee member and co-author of several Nemeth Code curricula.
Cecilia Robinson
Cecilia collaborates with TTU and SFASU to support personnel preparation in Texas. Her work focuses on data-driven outcomes and research aimed at enhancing programs that serve students with visual impairments.
Yolanda Shaw
A Family Engagement Coordinator with 15+ years in the field, Yolanda holds an MSW from UT Austin. She uses her lived experience and vocational rehabilitation background to empower families and students.
Mary Shore
Mary is an SFASU graduate with 20+ years of experience in the VI field. Mary's role as an O&M consultant places a strong emphasis on supporting O&M concepts and skills in early childhood.
Scott Turner
Scott has enjoyed a career in Orientation and Mobility for over 30 years with work experience as an itinerant O&M Specialist and a Regional ESC consultant.
Deafblind Team
Edgenie Bellah
Edgenie brings 30+ years in education and adult services, following families’ lead to strengthen community engagement and drawing on her COMS background in national deafblind work.
Kaycee Bennett
Kaycee holds a Master’s in Deafblind Education from TTU. She joined The Texas Deafblind Project in 2019 and became the first Statewide TDB Mentor Coordinator in 2025.
Brenna Brillhart
With an M.Ed. and a Deafblind certificate, Brenna supports families and educators through assessment and communication strategies to build collaborative teams and improve student outcomes.
Dany Casey
Rachel Collins
Rachel holds an M.S. in Deaf Education & a Deafblind certificate. With 20+ years as a TDHH/TSVI, she specializes in providing meaningful and functional instruction across all learners.
Hillary Keys
Hillary, M.Ed., holds a Deafblind graduate certificate and brings 30+ years of experience in education. She specializes in early intervention, play-based approaches, and Active Learning.
Nancy Lazarczyk
Heather Lightfoot
A Gallaudet and TTU alum, Hex is a COMS who blends her Master’s in Special Ed, O&M practice, with personal insights as a Deaf mother of three, including a Deaf adult and Deafblind teen.
Sarah Mossberger
With an M.Ed in Special Education and her Deafblind graduate certificate, Sarah uses her 20+ years of classroom and itinerant experience to support students, their educational teams, and families. She has a special interest in supporting behavior needs.
Admin Team
Rachel Cooper
A UT Austin journalism graduate and former English teacher, Rachel oversees Outreach communications. She combines her expertise in communications with her passion for education in this role.
Jesus Curi
Steven Landry
Steven joined TSBVI in 2016 to manage Outreach instructional technology. He brings a background in multimedia, web development, and e-learning from the Texas Office of the Attorney General.
Melanie Schacht
Melanie provides administrative support for the Mentor Coordinator. She manages contracts, purchasing, and event planning, while coordinating travel and logistics for the Outreach team.
Suzanne Slade
Suzanne manages travel, event planning, and contracts for Outreach, ensuring smooth logistics for supplies and professional services.
Brian Sobeck
With 15+ years at TSBVI, Brian provides technical and administrative support to Outreach teams. He is a dedicated problem-solver committed to serving Texas students and families.
Lauren Sweat
Media Team
Suzanne Becker
As TSBVI Archivist, Suzanne records and curates media to tell the organization’s story. She manages policy compliance and produces Media Minute spotlights to highlight student and staff success.
Media Team
With vast experience in everything from conference AV support to audio description and graphic design to live event production, the TSBVI Media team is here to help with all your campus media needs.