ICASE ELECTED OFFICERS
PRESIDENT
Joe is the current Executive Director at Old National Trail Special Services and is serving in his twelfth year in SPED Administration. Outside of his experiences in Administration, Joe was a teacher for students with emotional disabilities, and a high school football coach. Having entered the field through a transition to teaching program, Joe received his Bachelor’s Degree from Ball State University in Telecommunications with an emphasis in Sales/Management, Master’s Degree from Marian University (Indianapolis Teaching Fellows Cohort 1), and Director’s License from IU Bloomington. Joe is a devoted husband and the proud father of four children. Professionally, Joe places a high priority on trust, humor, and building strong relationships with colleagues around the state. He believes that no option is off the table when providing services for students with exceptional needs. Serving as the ICASE President is a privilege that Joe is honored to fill. | PRESIDENT-ELECT
I am Jill Lambert Mom to: Connor, Jackson, and Bella- wife of 21 years to Darren. Proud public educator for the past 26 years- currently serving as the Director of Student Services for Greenwood Community Schools. I am a big believer in student centered decision making. In addition, I truly believe that by investing in yourself to be a better person will yield the best results for you and your students. Always on the hunt to develop myself to pour into others. |
Joe Kwisz 
Jill Lambert IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT PRESIDENT
Angie Balsley is the Executive Director of Earlywood Educational Services, an interlocal on the south side of Indy. With a doctorate in Education Leadership & Policy Studies from Indiana University and a master's in Strategic Management from the Kelley School of Business, her research interests include leadership, special education, and dispute resolution. This is her 23rd year as a professional educator. She taught students with severe disabilities for nine years before becoming an administrator. Angie is a member of CEC and CASE and is on the CASE Legislative & Policy Committee. A passion for “doing the right thing” for children and their families led her to pursue an administrative path. She believes in fostering creative and innovative solutions through collaboration. She enjoys time with her family & friends and being outdoors. Angie lives in Greenwood with her husband, Larry, their college-aged son, Ben, and their cats Jim & Dwight. |
Dr. Angela L. BalsleyTREASURER
Katie Yoder is a Special Education Director with the Northeast Indiana Special Education Cooperative. This is her 20th year as an educator, with all 20 of those years working in special education. Prior to becoming an administrator, Katie worked as a resource teacher in grades k-6. Her involvement as a volunteer for Special Olympics as a high school student ignited a passion for working with students with special needs. She, along with 2 others, started Special Olympics in LaGrange County in 2017 with a small group of athletes focusing on Track and Field. Katie enjoys reading, time at the beach (when she can get away!), and spending time with her family and friends. Katie lives in LaGrange County with her husband, Mark, and two sons, Mason and Kamden. | SECRETARY
Rachel is an Assistant Director of Exceptional Learners for Hamilton Southeastern Schools. She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from IU-Bloomington, in addition to her Director of Exceptional Needs license. She is a speech-language pathologist by background maintaining her IDOE and IPLA licenses and her ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence. Rachel has worked with children with disabilities for 28 years in a variety of settings (with 18 of those years in public education). It’s approaching a decade that she has worked as a district special education administrator.
Rachel is a member of ICASE, CASE, and CEC. She is a Past-President of the Indiana Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is also currently the ICASE/ISHA liaison. She is committed to providing inclusive opportunities for students with special needs and is passionate about the Special Olympics / Unified Champion Schools program (often volunteering for Special Olympics activities as well). She has a strong family-centered background and values building positive relationships with parents/families.
Rachel lives in McCordsville with her husband and two sons. Her oldest is in college at Purdue University and her youngest is in high school. Her favorite role is Mom. She enjoys traveling with family, cheering for her son at his soccer and basketball games, and attending professional sports games as often as possible. |
Katie Yoder
Rachel Ross-Kroemer