Current Instructors
Instructors are listed in alphabetical order by last name.
Pamela Bernards, Ed.D., has 30 years of combined experience in diverse PK-8 and high school settings as a teacher and an administrator. In addition to these responsibilities, she was the founding director of a K-8 after school care program and founder of a pre-school program for infants to 4-year-olds. When she was a principal, her school was named a U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. Most recently, the school in which she serves as curriculum coordinator was named a 2010 Blue Ribbon School.
Shirley Bruegman, Ed.D., is former Vice Chancellor of the State Center Community College District.
Kim Chappell, Ed.D., is an Assistant Professor of Education at Crown College in Minnesota. Currently, she teaches undergraduate courses in the Teacher Education Department, and supervises student teachers, mentors students, and writes curriculum. Professor Chappell has over 19 years of teaching experience, 14 of those years in grades one through eight. She spent nine years teaching middle school mathematics. She has a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, a Master of Science in Mathematics Education, and an Ed.D. in Instructional Leadership.
Aumony Dahl, M.Ed., received her Master’s degree in Exceptional Children from Western Washington University. She is certified to teach in K-12 Special Education with an additional endorsement in Early Childhood Special Education.
Steve Dahl, M.Ed., has served as a district-level administrator overseeing a variety of federal programs, such as Special Education and Title 1, for the past five years. He has a Master’s Degree in Special Education and has completed post-Master’s coursework to obtain a Washington State Administrator Credential which certifies him to oversee programs ranging from Preschool settings through 12th grade. He has 17 years of combined experience in resource-room special education classrooms, inclusion support in comprehensive high schools, and support to adults with disabilities in accessing a wide range of community settings.
Darcie Donegan, M.Ed., received her B.A. at the University of Washington and her Master’s degree in Human Development, specializing in Early Childhood Education and Adult Education, from Pacific Oaks College. She has worked with young children and their caregivers for more than 25 years in various capacities, including preschool teacher, center director, parent educator, trainer, and consultant.
Ana Gutierrez is a graduate of California State University, Fresno with a double major in Spanish and Mass Communications. She has been working as a professional interpreter for the last seven years and is experienced with criminal law, administrative hearings, and medical interpreting. She currently works at Children’s Hospital Central California and Madera Superior Court.
Joan Halverstadt, M.S., has been a school counselor since 1994, working with at-risk preschool and elementary age students. She has more than 30 years of experience working in early childhood education with children and families, including working with children affected by family issues, abuse, or trauma.
Mick R. Jackson, M.S., Ed.D., is a Special Education Teacher/Behavioral Intervention Specialist.
Florah Luseno, Ph.D., received her doctorate in administration and supervision of special education from Virginia Polytechnic State University. Her background experience is in the area of special education, with special interest in emotional and behavioral disorders, mental retardation, and inclusion.
Jason Marshall, M.A., BCBA, received his degree in psychology with emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis from California State University, Fresno. He has presented research at multiple state and national conferences and has served as a guest reviewer for the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis.
Achuthan (Bob) Pillay, Ed.D., is a doctorate level instructor who has been teaching in the field of special education for the past 30 years. He has received numerous national and international awards for his research in the field and has headed boards and committees in more than five countries to develop and strengthen special services.
Archie Rader, M.A., is the Director and Conductor of New Horizons Band and Orchestra, and has spent the last 52 years teaching instrumental music. He is a professional musician and conductor of public school and professional orchestras. He graduated from Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio and received his Master’s degree from Arizona State University.
Peggy Rapp, MSW, is a licensed clinical social worker with 25 years of experience in the field of mental health, substance abuse and the elderly. She currently is the Assistant Dean of Professional Studies at Concordia College, New York and works as a consultant for the Southern Westchester Board of Education. Prior to her career in higher education, she provided services to dually-diagnosed individuals through New York University’s program for the homeless in New York City. She is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Clinical Social Work at NYU.
Candyce Reynolds, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Post Secondary Adult and Continuing Education in the Graduate School of Education at Portland State University. She has served at Portland State University as the Director of Affirmative Action where she spearheaded the development of the Sexual Harassment Training Program, as well as the development of the university’s sexual harassment and consensual relationship policy. She holds an A.B. in Psychology and Social Welfare from UC Berkeley, and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Oregon.
Michael Sedler, D.Min., has presented seminars and classes throughout the Pacific Northwest and Canada. He has worked as an administrator, behavior specialist, teacher, and social worker within the public school setting. He is an adjunct professor for two universities in the state of Washington and has been a professor for a college in Georgia.
Dianne Sharples, Ed.D., is an educational consultant and trainer. She taught nursing for 15 years at College of the Sequoias and was then Dean of Academic Services for 18 years. She also taught with the CSU Statewide University for ten years. She has been very active at the state level in community college educational issues.
Criss Wilhite, M.A., BCBA, earned her undergraduate degrees in Art and Philosophy, and a Master of Arts in Psychology from California State University, Fresno. She has taught core courses in Psychology at Fresno State since 1986. In 1998, she developed the department’s Applied Behavior Analysis Program, and has served as the undergraduate program’s director since then. It has grown to include three BCBA faculty members, over 85 active undergraduates, 20 graduate students, and is a board-approved program.
Marrea Winnega, Ph.D., is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with more than 14 years of experience in the field of autism spectrum disorders. She is a consultant to schools and agencies serving individuals with autism spectrum disorders, including Asperger’s Disorder. Three years ago, Dr. Winnega developed the Autism Dynamic Beginnings classroom, an intensive, multimodal classroom for three- to six-year-olds with autism.