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Our Administrators

Our Administrators

Eric Scroggs
Executive Director | Human Resources | Finance and Budget | Medicaid | WCSEA Board | Policies and Procedures | PPS Staff | Out-of-District Placement

I am currently in my tenth year as Executive Director of Woodford County Special Education  Association.  It's a privilege to be part of such a great organization. My background is as a school psychologist in the sun of Arizona.  While I enjoyed golfing and outdoor activities year round, my wife and I call Central Illinois home, so we decided to move back to raise our family.  I worked as the Special Education Director/Psychologist for Streator Elementary School District for two years, then the Director of Special Services with East Peoria Elementary District for six years prior to coming to WCSEA.  I am constantly striving to learn and grow professionally, so with that, I have  received  Education Administration Degrees through Eastern Illinois University and Arizona State University, along with my Doctor of Education Degree from Aurora University.  I am also active in the community and state organizations.  I am a member of the Rotary Club, coach youth sports, sit on the 377 Board serving adults with disabilities and am a member of the board of the Illinois Alliance of Administrators of Special Education.  Outside of work, I spend most of my time with my wife, Bethany, and three children: William, Norah and Reid. 
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Maureen Whalen
Administrator | Riverview CSD 2 | Early Childhood | Early Intervention Transition | Personnel Approval and Reimbursement | WCSEA Technology Department

This is my final year at WCSEA. I have been part of this family for 26 years and spent the
previous years of my career teaching. I am so grateful for my job and the people I work with.
I’ve had the privilege of overseeing IEP services for hundreds of students over the years. I
enjoyed getting to know our families, seeing them yearly at annual reviews. Building and adding
new components to my programs has been a challenge for me (a good challenge) but I see the
results and think to myself “I am surrounded by great people who love what they do and come
to work for the right reasons - they care about their students, families and their teams!”
What I want to say, most of all, is thank you. Thank you to everyone who has walked beside me
since I started here as an administrator in 1999. Thank you to the parents for trusting me to
guide services for their children. I will hold on to my WCSEA memories forever. I don’t have
any real plans for my retirement at this time but I do hope to travel more often, spend more time
with my mom, and simply enjoy being home! Go KC Chiefs!

Kelli Peterson
Administrator |Lowpoint Wasburn District 21| Roanoke-Benson District 60| Skill Builders Primary and Middle School programs | Service Animal Coordinator | Infinitec

My desire to obtain a teaching degree in special education evolved early in my high school years.  I reached this goal when I earned my bachelor's degree from Illinois State University in 1992.  I returned to ISU as a graduate student and earned my master's degree in school administration in 1998.  During the summer months of college, I worked for South Suburban Special Recreation Association and then for the Heart of Illinois Special Recreation Association  after my relocation to the Central Illinois area. My teaching career began at Peoria Public Schools where I taught students with multiple disabilities for five years.  I then went to teach special education in the Germantown Hills School District and remained there for nine years.  My first administrative position was with Woodford County Special Education Association and is where I have remained.  This school year marks my 15th with WCSEA and I am blessed to have such a strong network of individuals surrounding me on a daily basis.  It is a privilege being part of a team that expects nothing less than 110% when it comes to the education opportunities our students experience.  Spending time with my husband and two children is my number one priority when not at WCSEA.  We enjoy boating and entertaining family and friends in our spare time.  I also enjoy crafting, fitness and my two dogs.

Andrea Hartnett
Assistant Director| Program Director: Black Partridge Public Day School | Easter Seals Learning Academy| Eureka District 140

My husband, Brendan, and I have three dynamic children, Keegan, Kaden and Karagan.  I also have a very spoiled dog named Toby.  We spend our time traveling, boating and coaching or attending sporting events.  I graduated with my bachelor's degree from Bradley University, Masters in Educational Administration from Governors State University and most recently received my Director of Special Education Endorsement from Aurora University.  I spent the first 13 years of my career teaching the Bright Beginnings Early Childhood Program at Germantown Hills District 69 and have been in administration for four years.  I believe in quality and comprehensive education for all students.  My goals are to work with our member districts to foster rigorous teaching and learning environments that help students grow intellectually, emotionally and socially.  A tradition of excellence here at WCSEA is due to the partnership of wonderful people in our communities and the hard work for the students and staff we work with each day.  I am looking forward to a very positive and productive year together.  I am committed to being here for you and our students.

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Kristin Fehr
Administrator | Metamora Township High School| Speech Evaluations | OT/PT Evaluations | Professional Development

This will be my 10th year with WCSEA and my 7th year as an Administrator here. I am looking forward to another year of programming for students here in Woodford County.  I currently serve Metamora Township High School District #122 and the WCSEA Skill Builders and LIFE Programs housed there. Over the years with WCSEA, I've served not only MTHS, but also MGS, RGS, and RB school districts. I received a Bachelor's Degree from Illinois State University in Special Education (2004), a Master's Degree from Walden University in Reading & Literacy (2011), and an Administrative License from Bradley University (2013). Prior to working for WCSEA, I was a special education teacher at Germantown Hills School District for almost ten years. I also taught for one year in the Champaign area prior to moving back to the area many years ago. I grew up right here in Woodford County. I take great pride in serving the students here. Presently, I live in Washington with my husband, Scott, and our two kids, Sam (18) and Ruby (16). Sam attends Iowa State University as a Freshman and Ruby is a junior in high school. I love spending time being active with my family and friends….and with my two dogs!
Julie Gruber

Administrator| Metamora Grade School | ​Speech Evaluations | OT/PT

​Evaluations | Professional Development
I am thrilled to begin my 6th year with Woodford County Special Education Association, and my 5rd year as a Special Education Administrator.  I received a Bachelor’s Degree from Southeast Missouri State University in Elementary Education.  I earned my Master’s in Educational Leadership from the University of Illinois at Springfield.  I also hold certifications as a Reading Teacher as well as an LBS 1.  Prior to working at WCSEA, I worked in neighboring districts as an RtI/MTSS coordinator, Literacy Coordinator, and classroom teacher  I started my teaching career in Missouri before moving back to this area.  I currently serve Metamora Grade School #1 and the WCSEA Skill Builders at Metamora Grade School District #1.   I have 3 amazing girls that keep me busy outside of school.  I enjoy traveling, photography, and spending time with family and friends.  I look forward to a great year serving students and families within our districts. ​
Michelle DuBois

Administrator| Germantown Hills District 69 | Germantown Hills Skill Builders ​

| OT/PT Evaluations | Professional Development
I am very excited to begin my fifth year as a special education administrator with WCSEA.  I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree in special education from Bradley University, my Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Olivet Nazarene University, and my Master’s of Education in Educational Administration through Grand Canyon University.  Prior to this, I taught two years of high school special education at Paxton-Buckley-Loda High School in Paxton, Illinois and spent the next eighteen years as a special education teacher and MTSS coordinator at Germantown Hills Elementary School.  I have a passion for working with unique learners and am excited to continue working to provide students with what they need to be happy and successful in the learning environment. My husband, Brad, and I are the proud parents of our son, Jack (19), a sophomore at Illinois State University, and twins Cole and Josie (16), sophomores at East Peoria High School.  Hank, our yellow lab, and Ellie, our chocolate lab, round out our family.  Outside of work, we enjoy spending time together watching our kids play sports and participate in extracurricular activities.  I love dogs, being outside, cooking, and cheering for the Chicago Cubs!​​
Jaclyn Nix

Administrator| Fieldcrest  District 6 |  MTSS Coordinator | OT/PT Evaluations |  

Speech Evaluations | Professional Development
This is my first year as a Special Education Administrator with Woodford County Special Education Association (WCSEA).  I am very excited to work for such an outstanding association and to be serving the Fieldcrest District where I started my teaching career 10 years ago.  I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science with Education Concentration from Ashford University and my Learning Behavior Specialist certification from Rio Salado College.  I continued my learning in order to better serve my students by receiving my Master’s degree in Reading and the following endorsements: English as a Second Language (ESL) and Director of Special Education from National Louis University (NLU). I also trained as a Reading Interventionist through NLU’s Comprehensive Intervention Model alongside other educators across Central Illinois.  I grew up right here in Woodford County.  My husband Travis and I have four children Garrett (20), Skyler (19), Calli (17), and Miley (9).  I enjoy traveling and spending time with my family. 
Shawn Joraanstad

Principal - Easterseals Learning Academy
Assistant Principal -  Black Partridge Public Day School
This will be my 14th year with WCSEA! I’ve served WCSEA as a paraprofessional in our STARS- EDBD program (1 year), Special Education Teacher in the Elementary Skillbuilders (7 years), Special Education Teacher at Black Partridge in the Middle School Classroom (1 year), and Administrator for Easterseals and Black partridge  (5 years). I hold a bachelors in elementary education  (Western Illinois University), LBS 1 endorsement (Eureka College), Masters in Special Education  (Illinois State University), Director of Special Education Endorsement (Illinois State University) and Principal Endorsement  (American College of Education). My wife Damaris and I have been married for 8 years and we have three lovely children (Nolan (NoJo)- 6 years old, Elias (Cheeto) - 4 years old and Everly (Everly Beverly) 2 years old. When not with my family I enjoy playing basketball!
Katie Duckworth

Principal -  Black Partridge Public Day School
Assistant Principal - Easterseals Learning Academy
I have been in the educational field since 2006 when I graduated from Bradley University with my teaching degree. I spent 10 years as a special education teacher before going back to Bradley for my administrative endorsement. I also have a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. I have been an educational leader since 2018 and am very excited to start my journey this year as an administrator for WCSEA and Easterseals Learning Academy. My husband, Eric, and I have 4 children (Mikayla, Abigail, Isabella, and Eric Jr.) and 2 dogs (Banks and Javy). We are a huge sports family and LOVE watching the Cubs and Blackhawks. When I'm not at work, I'm relaxing at home with my family or on the sidelines of a game watching my kids play the sports they love (baseball, softball, volleyball, golf, hockey, football, etc).