Our Team
We are special educators too. Our staff has been serving students with special needs for years and we understand the challenges you face.
The Key2Ed leadership team has many years of experience across many different school divisions and situations. We pride ourselves in our service to students with exceptionalities and our dedication to the professional development of educators.
Cassie Velasquez
Co-Owner
Cassie Velasquez, M.Ed., M.D.R., is co-owner of Key2Ed, an educational consulting company specializing in improving school and family partnerships. Cassie has over 30 years of educational experience in special education and is a national public speaker. She delivers professional development workshops to educators nationwide. With a master’s degree in special education and a master’s degree in Dispute Resolution, as well as being a certified mediator, she brings expertise to the field of special education related to conflict prevention.
Robin O'Shea
Co-Owner
Robin O’Shea, Ph.D., is co-owner of Key2Ed, an educational consulting company specializing in improving school and family partnerships. As a national speaker she presents on a variety of topics related to IEP Facilitation, Conflict Prevention and Resolution, and Family-Professional Partnerships. Robin has over 30 years of experience in the field of special education. As an IEP meeting facilitator and certified mediator, she brings real life experiences and scenarios to her training participants.
Carla Cumblad, M.S.Ed, E.D.D.
Senior Consultant
Dr. Cumblad’s classrooms were model demonstration and experimental classrooms for several federal U.S. Department of Education Programs. Dr. Cumblad has taught at Northern Illinois University and Aurora University, focusing on behavior management/analysis, effective methods and inclusion of individuals with disabilities in general education environments.
Pilar Peigh, M.A.
Senior Consultant
Her varied experiences equip her with unique perspectives into promoting team effectiveness, guiding parental expectations, and promoting student
achievement. Pilar is passionate about empowering administrators, teachers, parents, and students with tools for success so that each may flourish—in learning and in life.
Marti Ginter M.S. Ed.
Senior Consultant
Marti’s career includes experiences as a middle and high school special education teacher, special education consultant/diagnostician serving ages 3-21, and LEA Director of Special Education/Preschool/Adult Education.
Ms. Ginter has written and presented numerous professional development workshops on the special education process for parents and educators.
Reta Tyrrel M.S.
Senior Consultant
Reta has also served as a special education process coordinator and
administrator. Reta was awarded the Outstanding Special Education Director award by the Missouri Speech Language Hearing Association and served on the MO-CASE Board of Directors. When called upon by districts and families, Reta serves as a neutral facilitator for the state of Missouri.
Rosie Fischer MA CCC-SLP
Senior Consultant
Rosie’s experience as a speech language pathologist has targeted students ranging from the 0-3 population to the high school level. She also functioned as an Adjunct Professor and Clinical Supervisor at St Louis University’s Speech and
Hearing Clinic. Her experiences as an SLP has been both in the rural and urban public schools of Missouri. She has also had a limited private practice. Rosie now
serves as a neutral IEP facilitator for the State of Missouri.
Rosie is passionate about the art of communication especially at IEP meetings.
Suzette Sample, M.Ed.
Senior Consultant
Suzette has taught at the elementary, middle, and high school level. She has also served as a district-based Staffing & Compliance Specialist, Coordinator, Supervisor, and recently retired as the Assistant Director for Special Education Compliance from Hillsborough County Public School District in Tampa, FL.
During her career she facilitated many, many IEP meetings and is anenthusiastic supporter of the Key2ed process training.
Bob Brauneisen M.A.
Senior Consultant
Bob is a graduate from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and a Master’s from Cal State Los Angeles in Educational
Leadership. A former K-8 grade teacher and Elementary Principal,
Bob is currently Superintendent of Castaic Union School District in California.
Stacy Alvey, LCSW, PPS
Senior Consultant
A special education coordinator, school psychologist and certified mediator.
Ms. Alvey also serves as a trainer, neutral facilitator and mediator for 10 school districts.
Lourdes Smith, M.A., Ph.D.
Senior Consultant
Lourdes has almost 20 years of experience working in education from elementary to higher education settings. She is currently working as a bilingual
school psychologist in a diverse, urban school district. She is a train the trainer for NASP through Arizona Department of Education and is actively involved in many parent groups for children identified with disabilities.
Lindsey Granger, M.Ed.
Consultant
A training Consultant for Key2Ed, and a Senior Consultant with Collaborative Educational Network, Inc. CEN is a Florida-based consulting firm that provides services to schools, districts, non-profit organizations, and governmental agencies. Lindsey’s experience in special education is deep-rooted in dispute resolution across the school, district, and State levels.
Theresa Nicholls EdS
Consultant
Theresa served as the assistant commissioner for special populations at the Tennessee Department of Education. There, she led initiatives aimed at improving special education programming for students with disabilities. Theresa has been engaged in dispute resolution procedures throughout her career, from being a meeting facilitator to overseeing state administrative complaints. Through these experiences, Theresa has developed a passion for ensuring families have opportunities for meaningful engagement throughout the IEP development and implementation processes.
Susan Spickler, M.A., NBCT
Consultant
Within her work as an IEP meeting facilitator, Susan shares genuine experiences and situations with her training members. Teaching in San Diego, Texas, and Arizona has broadened her perspective on supporting diverse students and families. Believing in the worth of every child, Susan is determined to make a difference in the students’ lives she encounters. She supports families and school staff in every opportunity that is presented.
Cindy Bania, M.A
Consultant
Cindy retired after 36 years of service from Pinellas County Schools. She held many positions throughout her career; Assistant Superintendent for Special Education and Student Services, Executive Director of Special Education, and 11 years of school-based administration as Principal and Assistant Principal and teacher. Cindy is also certified by the Supreme Court of Florida as a Mediator.
Andrea Paterala, M.A.
Senior Consultant
Andrea has 36 years of experience working in education from elementary to higher education settings to therapeutic schools. She has served in many administrative roles, including being an assistant director of Student Services and Special Education. Andrea is currently retired from education but wor
Henry Schmitges, M.S.
Senior Consultant
A senior consultant with Key2Ed, facilitating both in person and virtual professional development opportunities. As a teacher and professional developer, he has utilized the science of facilitation to work towards positive, student focused outcomes. As a coach, he has supported educators in both the art and science of facilitation to encourage confidence in the utilization of the tools and techniques across settings.
Samantha Jaksec, M.Ed.
Senior Consultant
A senior consultant with Key2Ed, facilitating both in person and virtual professional development opportunities. As a teacher and professional developer, she has utilized the science of facilitation to work towards positive, student focused outcomes. As a coach, she has supported educators in both the art and science of facilitation to encourage confidence in the utilization of the tools and techniques across settings.