Family/Parent

Danya Stump has been a special education teacher for 27 years, with the majority of those years being in early childhood. She taught an ECSE class for 16 years, and provided early childhood special education services to students in the preschool setting for 7 years. Danya is now the Teacher Consultant/Child Find coordinator for Farmington Public Schools in Michigan. Danya attended Eastern Michigan University, where she received a Bachelor’s degree in special education and a Master’s degree in early childhood education. She is passionate about educating young children and supporting their families during the earliest years of their education journey.

Travis Cooper lives in Kodiak, AK and has been teaching Special Education for 5 years. He has taught secondary students in a variety of settings but finds himself most at home in a Life Skills program. Currently, he is taking classes working towards becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analysts. When he is not focused on school, he enjoys spending time hiking and exploring the local trails.

Ann Thompson is a teacher consultant for the deaf and hard of hearing for children from birth to 3 years old at the Northview School District in Grand Rapids Michigan. She helps children with the transition to preschool by working individually with students at school or at home, teaching sign language to students, teachers, support staff and parents at school or at home, and consulting with teachers, support staff, parents and students on an individual basis. Her advice to young professionals considering a career in special education? Get into schools and see what's happening! Watch Ann's video to learn more about how she works with children in early childhood.

The Department of Education has rolled out a “Return to School Roadmap,” featuring a compilation of resources meant to help students, schools, educators, and communities return to and sustain in-person learning for the upcoming school year.