Valeri Bailey

Valeri Bailey is a dedicated special education teacher with over a decade of experience in supporting diverse learners. She is currently in her 11th year with Plymouth Community Schools, serving at Menominee Elementary School. Throughout her career, Valeri has been a strong advocate for inclusive practices, data-driven interventions, and student-centered learning environments.

As a member of her school's MTSS team, Valeri collaborates with educators to design and implement interventions that ensure all students receive the support they need to thrive. She is passionate about school improvement, data-informed decision-making, and fostering equitable learning environments.

In December 2024, Valeri earned her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Indiana University and obtained her building-level administrator licensure. She also earned a certification in school improvement science and was selected for the 2024 Aspiring Special Education Leadership Institute (ASELI) Cohort. These experiences have deepened her leadership skills in team collaboration, school improvement, and systematic change initiatives.

Beyond her work in the classroom, Valeri is deeply committed to literacy advocacy. She is a past president and current board member of the Marshall County Reading Council, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting literacy across the county. In 2024, her dedication to literacy education was recognized with the Celebrate Literacy Award.

Valeri is currently enrolled in the Director of Exceptional Learners program at the University of Indianapolis, further expanding her expertise in special education leadership and administration. Her goal is to drive initiatives that support students with disabilities, collaborate with educators, and cultivate an inclusive, high-achieving learning community.

Through her dedication to advocacy, leadership, and student success, Valeri remains committed to making a lasting impact in education.

Kristin Alles

Kirstin Alles graduated with her Bachelor's in Elementary Education and Special Education, Mild Interventions, from Taylor University in 2012. Kirstin started her teaching career as a resource teacher at West Noble Primary School. Two years into her work she continued her education, this time at Ball State University, and earned her Master's in Applied Behavior Analysis in 2017. Kirstin pursued further requirements to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and has been a BCBA since 2018.

After teaching Kindergarten and first-grade resource students for 11 years, Kirstin transitioned positions and is now a behavior consultant at the Northeast Indiana Special Education Cooperative (NEISEC). In this position, she coaches teachers through data collection, observations, and student reports. She also supports teachers in creating Functional Behavior Assessments and implementing Behavior Intervention Plans. Kirstin provides professional development to administrators, teachers, and support staff and is a Non-Violent Crisis Prevention Intervention instructor for NEISEC.

In addition to her work as a behavior consultant, Kirstin is a university student teaching supervisor for Indiana Wesleyan University. Through this supervision, Kirstin fosters growth for future special education teachers through their student teaching experience.

Kirstin is pursuing her Director of Exceptional Needs license through Ball State University. She lives in northern Indiana with her husband and two young daughters. In her free time, Kirstin enjoys running and spending time with her family.