Slide 5

About MiDCDD

WHO is MiDCDD?
Collectively Michigan Division for Communicative Disabilities and Deafness (MiDCDD) members are a subdivision of the National CEC DCDD. We represent a diverse group of professionals who work with a wide range of students with communication based disabilities. We are the first state chapter in the nation!

2019-2020 MiDCDD Executive Board:



President: Nichole Moore

For nearly 20 years, Nichole (Nikki) Moore has served in diverse educational settings as a classroom teacher, Teacher Consultant, Assistant Principal, Principal and Regional Special Education Supervisor. As an administrator and the current President of the Michigan Council for Exceptional Children (MCEC), Nichole advocates for the highest quality of programming, services, and instructional support for students with exceptionalities. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology/Special Education with emphasis in Deaf and Hard of Hearing and Emotional Impairments from Grand Valley State University, a Master’s degree in School Administration and Organizational Management and an Education Specialists (Ed.S.) in Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment from the University of Michigan. Nichole looks forward to serving on the MiDCDD Executive Board of Directors, supporting the mission/vision of the organization, and collaborating with colleagues to improve the education of children with communicative disabilities or who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Past President: Christina Roy

Christina (Tina) Roy currently works for Oakland Schools as a Teacher Consultant for students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. She is a Listening-Spoken Language Specialist with AVEd certification who received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with an endorsement in Deaf Education from Michigan State University. Shortly thereafter completed the Sign Language Interpreter Training Program from Lansing Community College. Tina went on to receive her Master’s Degree in Integrated Curriculum at Cambridge College in MA and an additional endorsement in Cognitive Impairments from Grand Valley State University. In her 28 years in education Tina has had experience being a classroom teacher and teacher consultant at all grade levels, birth – 26 years, and communication modalities. Tina lives in Shelby Township and keeps busy by chasing down her three young adult children.

Secretary: Armen Guilian

Armen currently works in Royal Oak Schools as a Speech Language Pathologist specializing in Alternative and Augmented Communication (AAC) and student with complex communication issues. In addition to SLP certification, she is also a veteran teacher and loves to present at conferences. She has almost two decades of experience working with students and families in Oakland County. She lives on the east side and spends her spare time with family and her two smelly dogs.

Treasurer: Marnee Inman

"I am a Special Education Teacher for Lamphere Schools. I currently have a K-5 classroom for students who have a Cognitive Impairment. I have worked in Lamphere School District for 10 years and previously worked as a Paraprofessional for 12 years in a center-based program for students with severe impairments. I have a Bachelor's Degree from Wayne State University in Elementary Education and Cognitive Impairments. I have also completed my graduate work and received a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Concordia University. I take great pride in being a Special Education Teacher and in my students making both personal and academic growth throughout the school year. I look forward to this opportunity to work with other like-minded, motivated individuals to further enhance the education of our special needs learners."

Communications / Newsletters: Sue Caudell

"I am a Deaf/Hard of Hearing Teacher Consultant for Western Wayne County. I have been in this position through Wayne Westland Community Schools during the past 4 school years. I have worked for Wayne Westland Schools for the past 23 years as a Resource Room Teacher, Teacher Consultant, Homebound Teacher and POHI Consultant. Prior to coming to Michigan, I taught in Ohio. I was a Teacher of the Deaf for 5 years."

"My hobbies include competitive sailing with an all-female crew. I have captained many races during the daylight hours and some races at night with a 23 hour sail time. I also ride snowmobiles in the winter. I am an empty nester, with my son now living in Chicago. My husband and I have two rescue dogs. Fancy is a standard Xoloitzcuintli (look it up very rare breed). Justice is a blind/deaf mini Australian Shepherd (bad breeder). I am really looking forward to networking with this wonderful group of professionals."

2019-2020 Committee Leaders:



Communication Committee: Amanda Hopkins

Amanda Hopkins, M.S. CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert. AVT is a speech-language pathologist and listening and spoken language specialist certified auditory verbal therapist. She is employed with Washtenaw Intermediate School District with the deaf/hard of hearing program and specializes in coaching families, caregivers, and teachers about working with children with hearing loss. Amanda has presented on multiple topics related to working with children with hearing loss at the local, state, and national level.

Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing Committee: Pamela Cross

My name is Pamela Cross. I am blessed to work for the Hillsdale County Intermediate School District for 17 years. I graduated from EMU with a BS in Special Education planned program for deaf and hard of hearing. I hold a masters degree in the art of teaching from Marygrove and an endorsement in Early Childhood from Spring Arbor University. I earned my certificate in Auditory Learning in Young Children with Hearing Loss from University of North Carolina Chapel Hill in 2011. I have two beautiful adult children with families of their own. I am a grandmother of five with a sixth on the way in February 2019. I enjoy reading, cardio drumming, shopping and coffee. My next interest is going to be archery. I am so excited to be contributing to MiDCDD!

Multiple Exceptionalities Committee: Megan Chmura

My name is Megan Chmura. I work in Royal Oak Community Schools as a Level 3 (cross categorical, self-contained) teacher. I graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and endorsements in both Cognitive Impairments (SA) and Child Development (ZA). My husband, dog, and I live in Oakland County and frequently travel Up North to our family cabins where we love to participate in anything and everything outdoors. My passion in working with persons with exceptionalities began at a very young age. My parents were involved with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) and I participated as a one on one attendant at summer camps. Through these camps, the MDA family became an extension of my own. Since then, I have participated in MDA summer camp for 14 years and plan to continue each year. Being humbled and inspired by my MDA family encouraged me to branch out to meet anyone and everyone who was different than me. Throughout my life’s journey I have had the privilege of teaching and learning with the most inspirational, exceptional people and I look forward to continue along this humbling path!