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National Training Director | Check & Connect
klem0027@umn.edu • 612-624-0731
Eileen A. Klemm, Ph.D. is the National Training Director for Check & Connect at the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration (ICI). With over 15 years of experience in special education, Dr. Klemm’s background includes 13 years as a Speech-Language Pathologist in public schools and work as a Special Education Compliance Specialist for the Minnesota Department of Education. Since joining ICI in 2012, she has led the development of resources, training, coaching, and professional development to support Check & Connect implementation across the country.
Dr. Klemm collaborates with state-level teams to expand Check & Connect and ensure its effective implementation. She is the principal investigator on two U.S. Department of Education-funded projects: Circle Up: An Integrated Whole School Model to Address Learners’ Social-Emotional Learning Needs, which includes implementing Check & Connect at the elementary level, and Enhancing Secondary/Transition Outcomes Using Check & Connect with the Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction, a randomized control trial focused on improving outcomes for secondary learners with disabilities.
Dr. Klemm earned her Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development with a focus on Evaluation Studies, as well as a Master’s degree in Communication Disorders, both from the University of Minnesota.
Business Development | Product Manager
mlaustin@umn.edu • 612-625-5322
Michelle Austin, M.A., Ed.S., is a program specialist and national trainer for Check & Connect at the Institute on Community Integration (ICI), University of Minnesota. Mrs. Austin provides training around the country on the implementation of Check & Connect for schools and community-based organizations. She also provides follow-up trainings in the form of fidelity of implementation workshops for sites already implementing Check & Connect. As a national trainer, she partners with sites to assess their needs and customizes training to meet their strategic plans.
Prior to working at the University, Mrs. Austin began her teaching career as an elementary teacher, specializing in technology in two Minnesota public school districts: Eastern Carver County Schools and Inver Grove Heights Schools. Most recently, she worked as a district coordinator and administrator for the Department of Learning in ISD 199 - Inver Grove Heights Schools (MN). In this capacity, she pioneered ISD 199’s first parent engagement program adopted from the Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE), provided district-wide professional development for early childhood to high school staff and coordinated the district’s Gifted Magnet Program. Additionally, Mrs. Austin is trained in Cognitive Coaching℠ and has conducted observations and facilitated reflective conversations with educators focused on increasing engagement and achieving at high levels for all students.
Mrs. Austin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education K-6 from Augsburg University, Master’s degree in Teaching and Learning from Saint Mary’s University and Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership & K-12 Administrative License from Minnesota State University - Mankato.
Program Manager | Training & Special Projects
jahallas@umn.edu • 612-624-7315
Jana Hallas Ferguson, M.Ed., is a project coordinator for the Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota where she provides training and technical assistance to districts on Check & Connect around the country. Prior to working at the University, Mrs. Ferguson taught special education for ten years in Cy-Fair ISD in Houston, Texas. She trained district personnel on creating meaningful, Standards-Based goals and objectives to ensure student success throughout high school and into post-secondary life. Additionally, she created and conducted annual school-wide training on collecting data on student progress on academic and behavioral IEPs, facilitated data collection for each grading term, and provided technical assistance and support for individual teachers when needed. Mrs. Ferguson assisted personnel in implementing IEP programming in the general and special education classrooms as well as served as a facilitator in parent/teacher communication to ensure the needs of students were met for all students with disabilities throughout the campus. Mrs. Ferguson has a Master's Degree in Education with an emphasis in Low Incidence Disabilities from Texas A&M University. Her undergraduate degree was completed at Coe College, where she double-majored in secondary education and history.
Program Manager | Trainer & Coach Certification
eorio001@umn.edu • 612-626-9824
Sonya Eorio, M.A., is a Program Manager for Check & Connect at the Institute on Community Integration (ICI), University of Minnesota. Ms. Eorio manages Train-the-Trainer opportunities for Check & Connect sustainability across the country.
Prior to her work at ICI, Ms. Eorio began her career in education delivering prevention and diversion services to untapped schools and juvenile justice services in the Metro-Detroit area. She quickly learned the power of connection and her contributions to successful student outcomes paved the way for various opportunities, notably revamping districtwide student behavior management systems with a restorative focus, fostering student and family-centered approaches to increase higher education enrollment and financial literacy, and supporting the statewide integration of Check & Connect in Florida. In her role as Project Director for the Check & Connect Project under the Florida State Personnel Development Grant, she played an instrumental part in providing coaching, training, and technical support to school districts throughout Florida as they embraced the Check & Connect approach.
Ms. Eorio holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Coastal Carolina University and a Master of Arts degree in Counseling with a Specialization in Schools from Wayne State University. Ms. Eorio has held her School Counselor License in Michigan and Professional School Counseling Certification in Florida.
National Implementation Specialist
aromine@umn.edu • 612-624-5042
Ann Romine is a program specialist and national trainer for Check & Connect at the Institute on Community Integration (ICI), University of Minnesota. Ms. Romine provides training nationally on the implementation of Check & Connect for schools and community-based organizations. She also provides mentor training and follow-up training around fidelity and implementation for sites already implementing Check & Connect. As a national trainer, she assesses the needs of sites and customizes training to meet those needs. She is driven to build connections for students and families across schools and communities.
Before working at ICI, Ms. Romine served as a program specialist and national trainer for an evidence-based family engagement program, Families and Schools Together (FAST). She has trained collaborative teams of teachers, parents and community-based professionals for more than a decade. Ms. Romine has worked extensively throughout the School District of Philadelphia implementing and developing FAST to scale. She attended the University of Wisconsin - Madison and received her Bachelor of Science in Human Development & Family Studies and Elementary Education.
National Implementation Specialist
swirt009@umn.edu • 612-301-2767
Jessica Swirtz is a national trainer for Check & Connect at the Institute on Community Integration (ICI), University of Minnesota. Ms. Swirtz provides support and training to districts and community-based organizations implementing Check & Connect across the country. She also provides follow-up trainings in the form of fidelity of implementation workshops for sites already implementing Check & Connect. As a national trainer, she partners with sites to assess their needs and customizes training to meet their strategic plans.
Prior to working at ICI, Ms. Swirtz began her career in education with Teach for America as a high school math teacher in North Carolina. While teaching, she developed inclusive curriculums, led state-wide staff professional development trainings, and implement over 120 accommodations for special education students. These initiatives resulted in her students exceeding their expected academic growth by 54% and aided in the school’s academic report card increase from a D to a B. Most recently, she worked at Walden University as an Academic Advisor cognitively guiding Nursing students through their graduate degrees until she moved into an Operations and Training Specialist role. As an Operations and Training Specialist she focused on the success of over 200 staff by developing, implementing, and evaluating programs for numerous topics including new hire onboarding, technology launches, and professional development opportunities.
Ms. Swirtz holds a Master’s degree in Education from Johns Hopkins University where she graduated with distinctions for transformational student impact. Her undergraduate degree was completed at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities where she majored in Psychology and minored in Management. When she's not working, Ms. Swirtz can be found playing board games, running by the Minnehaha Falls, and spending time with her friends and family.
National Implementation Specialist
mmassie@umn.edu • 612-625-9041
Marius Massie is a program specialist and national trainer for Check & Connect at the Institute on Community Integration (ICI), University of Minnesota. Mr. Massie provides support and training to districts and community-based organizations implementing Check & Connect across the country. He also provides follow-up trainings in the form of fidelity of implementation workshops for sites already implementing Check & Connect. As a national trainer, he partners with sites to assess their needs and customizes training to meet their strategic plans. He is passionate about using systems to improve relationships and culture.
Prior to working at ICI, Mr. Massie spent a number of years in professional development and youth empowerment serving reputable organizations like West Metro Education Program, YMCA, and a variety of Twin Cities school districts including Eden Prairie Schools, Saint Louis Park Public Schools, and St. Anthony-New Brighton Schools, and Independent School District 191. He specializes in shifting negative mindsets, leveraging personal skills, and promoting healthy workforce culture—by scaling individual transformation from one person to many. His work to support adult social and emotional learning through trauma awareness, restorative practices, and personal leadership has propelled a more inclusive and equitable approach to teaching and discipline.
Mr. Massie received his undergraduate education at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities earning a Bachelor of Arts in Interdepartmental Studies (Psychology, Speech Communication, and Sociology) and his restorative practices certification from the International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP). When he's not working, Mr. Massie loves to dance, sing, write, be active, and share cherished moments with loved ones.
National Implementation Specialist
ssmule@umn.edu • 612-625-5037
Sharon Mule’ is a program specialist and national trainer for Check & Connect and Expanding the Circle at the Institute on Community Integration (ICI), University of Minnesota. Ms. Mule’ provides training around the country on the implementation of Check & Connect for schools and community-based organizations. She also provides follow-up support for implementation and technical assistance to sites. As a national trainer, she partners with sites to assess their needs and customizes training to meet their strategic plans.
Ms. Mule’ is a returning trainer to Check & Connect. Notable in her previous work with Check & Connect was on the revision of materials and the development of the Train-the-Trainer model, as well as national project coordination for the launch of the Florida SPDG Check & Connect. Other work at ICI included the launch of E-Connect mentoring program throughout MN and project coordinator of a Learn and Serve America grant in collaboration with Fond du Lac Ojibwe School.
Ms. Mule’ returned to Check & Connect from the Get Ready program at the State of Minnesota Office of Higher Education where she worked on statewide implementation of Get Ready programming and served as Operations Manager.
Previous work experience also includes Arc of MN as a program specialist. Notable in her time at Arc was the revision of the Arc GetSet! Program, statewide implementation of the program and work on the development of Arc Transition training. Ms. Mule’ worked for many years in schools including many years as a school readiness home visitor.
Business Development | Market Strategist
amthom@umn.edu • 612-626-8649
Ann Thompson, M.A., is the Business Development | Market Strategist for Check & Connect at the Institute on Community Integration (ICI), University of Minnesota. Ms. Thompson works with Check & Connect colleagues to collaborate on strategic planning, developing and executing marketing strategies and communication. She also provides business analysis and reporting to program leadership. Before working at the University of Minnesota, Ms. Thompson held sales leadership positions within the Pearson Clinical Assessment division.
"The training really helped the participants to solidify and understand the importance of determining specific criteria for student selection when implementing the model. The technical assistance was very beneficial and provided an opportunity to discuss actual cases and to receive feedback regarding model fidelity."
- Leah Hannah, Director of Strategic Development, Pennsylvania Counseling Services
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