Leadership
Deborah J. Graham, PhD
President & Executive DirectorDr. Graham has over 24 years of experience as a special education teacher, director, and school administrator, including roles as a dyslexic reading specialist, college lecturer, post-secondary transition specialist, and board member for disability programs. She holds a PhD in mild to moderate disabilities, an M.Ed in cross-categorical special education, with a secondary concentration in special education law. Additionally, she is a member of the Council for Exceptional Children.
Amy Adrian M.Ed
Director of Transition and VocationAmy is a distinguished expert in supporting exceptional students, with over 18 years experience. She specializes in 8th-12th grade & post-secondary transition planning, activities, and placements. She has previously served as the ESS department chair at both the middle and high school levels. Her innovative leadership and education strategies, supported by a business degree, have significantly improved student outcomes and make her an invaluable asset to our team.
Specialists
Susie Appleman MA, CCC-SLP, COM
Kaitlyn Jordan, M.Ed
Jodi Woodnick, M.Ed
Kevin Socks
Alex Adrian
Emily Gibson
Speech Therapist
Susie Appleman MA, CCC-SLP, COM
Susie is an ASHA-certified, Arizona State licensed Speech-Language Pathologist, Board Certified Orofacial Myologist, and Teacher of the Speech and Hearing Handicapped. She is the founder of Big Apple Speech Therapy, LLC and has over twenty-five years of experience working with infants, children, and adults with varying degrees of communication impairments. She has presented at several local, regional, and national conferences. Susie is deeply committed to helping individuals find their voice and reach their fullest potential. Her compassionate, personalized approach has made a lasting impact on countless families, and she continues to be a trusted resource in the field of communication.
Education Specialist
Kaitlyn Jordan, M.Ed
Kaitlyn has worked as a special educator and classroom teacher for grades K-8 in Arizona schools for over 8 years. She is certified in early childhood special education and K-8 general education, and has an ESL endorsement. Kaitlyn has expertise in working with specific learning disabilities, executive function remediation, and research-based early literacy and dyslexia programs in both public and private schools. She is currently pursuing her certification as a dyslexia reading specialist in Arizona.
Clinical Therapist
Jodi Woodnick, M.Ed
Jodi is a licensed clinical social worker with over 20 years of experience, has worked with families and children from kindergarten through college and directed inclusive summer camps for exceptional learners. She is certified in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and founded her private practice, Out Of The Woods Counseling and Family Support.
Snuggle Specialist
Kevin Socks
Kevin Socks is a certified emotional support dog with seven years of experience working with children in grades K-3. He is a loving companion and always lends a listening ear to those who want to share their daily experiences. Kevin enjoys long hikes, car rides with his head out the window, getting pup cups, giving hugs, and taking naps. He particularly enjoys sitting with his K-3 friends while they read stories. Kevin is an important and devoted member of the TGES team.
Development
Alex Adrian
With over 15 years of experience in educational development and leadership, Alex has demonstrated a strong commitment to driving positive change in education. As a published writer and certified grant writer, Alex brings expertise in communication and securing resources to support educational initiatives. His skills in facilitating both small and large group projects highlight his ability to inspire and guide diverse stakeholders toward shared goals.
Social Media & Marketing
Emily Gibson
Emily’s experience as a marketing and finance college student has equipped her with the necessary skills to serve as the social media specialist for TGES. She possesses knowledge and training in planning and executing social media strategies, creating and publishing content on various platforms, and engaging with our audience and communities. Emily tracks TGES’s outreach efforts by monitoring metrics and insights on each social media platform.