Meet the team
Katie received her Masters of Science in Education from Portland State University, specializing in Special Education and General Education. Katie is married with two children and enjoys spending time with family and friends. She loves reading, crafting and exploring the outdoors.
Prior to establishing Northwest Neurodevelopment Center, Katie worked for 11 years in public education with preschool, elementary, middle school, and high school age students. She is currently licensed and has taught in both special education and general education classrooms. Katie has provided extensive mentoring and teacher in-service training workshops. She has a working knowledge with students who experience specific learning disabilities, developmental disabilities, language impairments, ADHD, and behavioral concerns, as well as those individuals considered on the Autism Spectrum. Katie has also had experience working with students considered “at-risk.”
Katie case managed and worked with parents, students, and school staff to evaluate and develop individualized education plans that assist students in accessing and becoming successful within the general education curriculum. During her time in public education, Katie has served many roles including Teacher Leader and Mentor, Learning Specialist, Inclusion Specialist, Educational Consultant, and Autism Consultant. She has a great understanding from a parent perspective as she has a young child with special needs. Katie believes strongly in supporting students and their families as a team.
Katie Jackson, M.S.Ed
Owner, Special Educator, Director of Advocacy, Educational Consultant and Advocate
Alexa received her Masters of Education from the University of Washington, specializing in Special Education and General Education. Alexa is married with two children and a dog. She enjoys spending time with her family outdoors, traveling, snowboarding, and playing volleyball.
Prior to working as an advocate, Alexa worked 10 years in public education with preschool, elementary, and transition age students. She co-founded an after school program fostering independence through socialization, movement, and exercise. She is currently licensed in CA and OR, and has taught in both special education and inclusion classrooms. Alexa was also the orthopedic impairment specialist in her districts, inclusion specialist, and has a strong background in behavior. She has working knowledge with students who experience specific learning disabilities, other health impairments, autism spectrum disorder, emotional disturbance, speech or language impairments, hearing impairments, orthopedic impairments, intellectual disabilities, and multiple disabilities.
Alexa was the case manager for 10 years in districts. She worked closely with students, parents, and school staff to help create and carry out individualized education plans, making sure each child's needs were met. Alexa continues to consult with her past districts and the teachers on how to strengthen their inclusive environment, creating appropriate accommodations and modifications for students in their class with different needs. Alexa strongly believes that working as a team will only better support each child and their families.
Alexa Sherman, MEd, BCEA
NSEAI Board Certified Education Advocate, Advocacy Coordinator and Educational Consultant
Emily received her Masters of Teaching from George Fox University and her undergraduate degree from Western Oregon University, majoring in education studies and minoring in health and social sciences. She is passionate about helping families develop the best plan for their students' education. Emily resides in Central Oregon and spends the majority of her free time horseback riding.
Emily has been working in the field of education since 2018. She specializes in behavior, IEPs and 504 Plans. Emily has experience working with students from kindergarten through high school, in many different types of Special Education programs. Emily ran and created her own behavior program on a local Indian reservation, where she developed individualized education plans and behavior plans, for students who struggled with regulation in the education setting. Emily also has two years of experience teaching in a fully self contained behavior classroom for students k-3. Emily is passionate about trauma informed teaching and will be completing her MANDT facilitator certification spring of 2024, so she can continue to teach the public about supporting children with trauma. Emily is part of the NWNDC advocating team and supports families with her expertise in advocating, at 504 Plan meetings and IEP meetings, with a collaborative approach.
Emily Hampton, M.A.T.
Educational Consultant and Advocate
Colleen Sauvé, M.S.Ed
Special Educator, Dyslexia Specialist and Educational Consultant/Advocate
Colleen has been a Special Education Teacher since 2003 and has taught in California and Oregon. She has experience teaching at the high school, middle school, and elementary school levels, with the majority of her experience being at the elementary school level. She has specialized training in the Orton-Gillingham approach of teaching reading to students that have struggled to learn to read with the traditional approach to teaching reading. She has spent the last 20 years working with students with learning disabilities such as Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and other developmental disabilities.
While growing up, Colleen struggled with learning to read and paying attention in school. Once in high school, she was finally diagnosed with Dyslexia. Additionally, her 2 sons have diagnoses of ADHD. When her older son was in school, he struggled with his ADHD symptoms, but did not require Special Education services. However, her younger son had the additional diagnoses of Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and requires Special Education services. All of this gives her a unique perspective on what it’s like to have a learning disability, what it’s to teach a student with a learning disability, and what it’s like to be the parent of a child who experiences a disability.
Since 2006 Shara has been active in both the Academic Education and the Social/Emotional Education of children. In 2009 Shara received her Masters of Education from Portland State University and has taught in Oregon and Washington. She is currently teaching in Oregon in the public school setting while also facilitating the social/emotional learning groups at our center. Shara is also experienced with the use of assistive technology in both the educational and community setting; she provides Assistive Technology coaching to parents and children. She has working knowledge with students who experience specific learning disabilities, other health impairments, autism spectrum disorder, emotional disturbance, speech or language impairments, hearing impairments, orthopedic impairments, intellectual disabilities, and multiple disabilities
Shara Bohan, M.S.Ed
Special Education Teacher, Social/Emotional Learning Specialist, Friendship Coach and Assistive Technology Coach
Natalie Hansen, M.S.Ed
Special Education Teacher, Educational Consultant and Advocate
Natalie Hansen is a Special Education Teacher and has been working in the field for 15 years. She graduated with her Master's in Special Education from Pacific University in Forest Grove, and has worked in a variety of specialized programs. She has vast experience working with students with emotional and behavioral needs and enjoys supporting students and families navigate the special education process. In her spare time, Natalie enjoys life on a small farm in Yamhill County with her partner Mario and their daughter Noemi.
Kerri Russell
Educational Consultant and Advocate
Kerri Russell is a licensed special education teacher certified in ages 3-21. Her public-school experience includes 25 years with the Multnomah ESD and Portland Public Schools where she taught children of all ages while homebound or hospitalized, specializing in cases of childhood cancer, eating disorders, brain injury, among others. She was a member of Oregon’s Brain Injury Consulting Team through the Center for Brain Injury Research and Training and served as the Educational Specialist at Doernbecher’s Cancer Survivorship Program. Kerri has extensive knowledge and experience in neurodiversity and formal training in trauma-informed care. Kerri is compassionate and has a gentle approach when working with students, and is a strong advocate for families. Outside of work, Kerri enjoys hiking, swimming and reading.
Pamela Meyer
Literacy and Dyslexia Specialist
Pam was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. She graduated from St. Mary's Academy and attended St. Mary's College of California for her bachelors degree. As a senior, Pam took a couple of classes in education and ended up getting her teaching credential a few years later. After several years in the bay area, she ended up back home in Portland. Pam taught 3rd grade for several years and realized that teaching reading was her passion. While teaching, she received her Masters in Education with a reading endorsement at the University of Portland. She worked as a guest teacher for the Beaverton School District and has tutored many students(most of whom are dyslexic). Pam loves being able to enjoy everything the NW has to offer. She loves taking trips to the coast, hiking on various trails, wine tasting and playing tennis and soccer. Her rescue dog, Rainier, helps keep her active. Pam's dad, siblings, and nieces and nephews all live in the Portland area and enjoy cheering on the Ducks, Blazers, and Timbers and eating at various Portland restaurants.
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Chelsea Stewart
Administrative Specialist
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Chelsea has a daughter, cat and one giant puppy. She enjoys spending time with her family, being outdoors and being a sports mom. She is a very creative individual and finds crafts relaxing in her downtime. Chelsea has a degree in Medical, Billing and Coding as well as Medical Office Administration.
Chelsea has been with NWNDC as our administrative specialist since 2021 and is your go to person for scheduling, new client set up, invoicing and more!