Advisory Council for the Education of Students with Disabilities
The Advisory Council for the Education of Students with Disabilities shall advise the State on unmet needs, initiatives of the Council and consult with the Governor, the Commissioner of Education, the State Board of Education and the Assistant Commissioner of the Division of Special Populations, Tennessee Department of Education.
Under the Tennessee Open Meetings Act, the public has the right to attend government meetings and speak on agenda items when decisions are being made. Public comment must relate to the topics on the agenda and may be limited by time or number of speakers. See T.C.A. § 8-44-108. Everyone is welcome to attend advisory council meetings, and time for public input is available on a first come, first served basis. Please note that the public comment period is for making comments, not for asking questions or having a discussion. For more information, contact Michael.Holman@tn.gov or Joey.Ellis@tnstep.info, council chair.
| Name | Email Address | Area of Representation |
|---|---|---|
| Joey Ellis, Chair | Individuals with Disabilities | |
| Scott Rupe, Vice Chair | scott.rupe@gmail.com | Disability Advocate |
| Amy Allen | Amy.Allen@trentonssd.org | Special Education Administrators |
| Angela Jackson | Angela.Jackson@hck12.net | State and Local Education Officials |
| Catherine Knowles | Catherine.Knowles@mnps.org | Office of the Coordinator for Education of Homeless Children and Youth |
| Chantal Hess-Taylor | tteachlaw@aol.com | Parents |
| Darlene Walden | darwarld@live.com | Parents |
| Vacant | Private Schools | |
| Vacant | Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Representative | |
| Stephanie Ortego | sortego@bradleyschools.org | Teachers |
| Shannon Taylor | Shannon.Taylor@hctnschools.com | Parents |
| Vacant | Higher Education Institutes Representative | |
| Vacant | State Corrections Representative | |
| Martina Stump | Department of Children Services | |
| Jessica Peach | Teacher and Parent | |
| Emily Whitson | Disability Advocate |
April 14, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. CT
Location: TN School for the Blind - 115 Stewarts Ferry PK
Link to Spectate Meeting: here
July 14, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. CT
Location: TN School for the Blind - 115 Stewarts Ferry PK
Link to Spectate Meeting: here
January 13, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. CT
Location: TN School for the Blind - 115 Stewarts Ferry PK
Link to Spectate Meeting: here
October 14, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. CT
Location: TN School for the Blind - 115 Stewarts Ferry PK
Link to Spectate Meeting: here
July 8, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. CT
Location: Davy Crockett Tower - Room 1A
Link to Spectate Meeting: here
April 8, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. CT
Location: TN School for the Blind (115 Stewarts Ferry Pk)
Link to Spectate Meeting: here
January 8, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. CT
Location: TN School for the Blind (115 Stewarts Ferry Pk)
Link to Spectate Meeting: here
October 9, 2023
Time: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. CT
Location: TN School for the Blind (115 Stewarts Ferry Pk)
Link to Spectate Meeting: here
July 10, 2023
Time: 10 a.m - 3 p.m CT
Location: 115 Stewarts Ferry Pike, Nashville TN
Link to Spectate Meeting here
April 3, 2023
Time: 10 a.m - 2 p.m CT
Virtual Attendance: Teams Meeting
January 9, 2023 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. CT
In-Person Location: Tennesee School for the Blind
115 Stewarts Ferry Pike
Virtual Attendance: Teams Meeting