EHE Legacy: Erik Wilson
EHE Distinction: M.A. Educational Leadership, 2009
Current Position: Director of Special Education at Oakstone Academy
Legacy Highlight: Supporting children with an Autism diagnosis with the necessary tools to lead productive lives.
Bio: Erik Wilson – I live in Gahanna, Ohio with my wife, our 7 year old triplets and our 11 year old daughter. In my free time I enjoy hanging out with my family and friends and volunteering with the Gahanna Special Olympics. Our oldest daughter was born with a rare genetic disorder called DDX3X syndrome and being a part of the Gahanna Special Olympics has been an incredible way to give back and spend time with her. My wife and I met in college and both studied Early Childhood Education at Ohio Dominican University and then went on to The Ohio State University for Graduate School. I am currently the Director of Special Education at Oakstone Community School. Our school enrollment is 100% students with an IEP and an identified disability. Our primary disability is for individuals with an Autism diagnosis. I love supporting our families with tools to improve their daily lives. It is my mission to help students find their own path to success. Personal independence will look different for every student, but with the right tools they can find meaningful employment, jobs, college, professional employment, and a general feeling of contribution as a member of society. I hope to guide all individuals at Oakstone to a future that they can be proud of. When I was a child I had passionate Elementary School teachers. They inspired me to want to learn how to teach students in a fun and motivating approach. I enjoy the personalized approach to teaching each unique student. The team teaching support system of (Related Services, Parents, General Education Teacher, and Intervention Specialist) benefits not only the student, but the classroom environment as well. I enjoy when both neurotypical and individuals with disabilities discover that they can be successful. It might be making a first friend or meeting an academic goal, watching students realize that they can improve motivates me to improve their opportunities. I taught in an immersed classroom for 6 years, half of my students had a diagnosis of Autism. I then attended The Ohio State University in order to earn my Principal’s License and Degree in Education Administration. In 2009, I moved to the role of a Vice Principal for 6 years. During that time I was able to observe the connection from a student’s home life to school, how to differentiate learning in the classroom, and how to co-teach in a school setting that blends general education with a wide variety of unique learning styles. In 2015, I moved into the role of Principal for the next 5 years. During that time I helped strengthen the connections from class to class and from school to home. This past year I was asked to take over the role of Director of Special Education. I now have an even deeper connection to our families with student’s that have a disability.
EHE Legacy: Jill Medley
EHE Distinction: M.A. Special Education, Applied Behavior Analysis, 1997
Current Position: Owner and Executive Director of The Learning Spectrum
Legacy Highlight: Serving families and children on the Autism spectrum by using interventions and adaptive curriculum so that each student can reach their full potential.
Bio: Jill has worked in the field of special education for twenty years. She has a Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and a Master’s degree in special education/Applied Behavior Analysis from The Ohio State University. She holds a teaching certificate in Early Childhood Education and Early Education of the Handicapped, and is a certified STAT administrator. Her experience includes early intervention, home-based naturalistic ABA, classroom teaching, diagnostics, supervision, management, public speaking, and teaching training/staff development. She is the owner and Executive Director of TLS, currently managing over 150 staff and providing services to 300 students. She has been happily married for 18 years and is the mother of two children, Marshall and Macy.
EHE Legacy: Rick Kubina, PhD
EHE Distinction: M.A. 1993, Ph.D. 1999
Current Position: Professor of Special Education at Pennsylvania State University
Legacy Highlight: Teaching and researching methods that help people with ASD and other disabilities achieve meaningful gains in academics, social skills, cognition, and personal care.
Bio: Dr. Richard (Rick) Kubina (OSU Masters degree in 1993 and doctorate in 1999) is a Professor of special education at The Pennsylvania State University and co-founder of a tech company called Chartlytics. Chartlytics merged with CentralReach, where Kubina now serves as the director of research. Kubina has published multiple research articles, books, and chapters on evidence-based education, precision teaching, and enhancements to learning supporting equitable outcomes. He was the past Editor of the Journal of Precision Teaching & Celeration. Kubina works with school districts and health care and technology professionals using Precision Teaching, effective practice methods, digitization of behavioral health processes, and measurably superior learning programs.
