Ralston Elementary School

Special Education Community Support Line

303-982-6682

Amy Allen Assistant Director

303-982-8829

Amy moved to Colorado from Texas in 2001. Amy earned a Bachelor of Business Administration at Stephen F. Austin University and a Masters of Education at Texas A&M Commerce. She taught high school in Mesquite, TX and transitioned into building administration and served as a High School Assistant Principal for 14 years. In 2015, Amy transitioned to the Assistant Director of Special Education position.

In addition to supporting a group of secondary schools, Amy works with the Behavior Analyst team.

Jeb Brako Assistant Director

303-982-8513

Jeb Brako is excited to continue supporting his students, staff and schools in Jeffco in the role of Assistant Director of Special Education. Prior to his current role, he worked as a special education teacher serving secondary aged students in Colorado's rural mountain schools and before that, a 4th grade teacher in Cherry Creek School District. Jeb originally discovered his love for education when he entered the field as a paraeducator in his hometown of Frederick, Maryland. In that role, Jeb developed his guiding philosophy of supporting others so teachers can teach and all students can learn.

Sara Brown Assistant Director

303-982-3520

Sara is in her first year with Jeffco Public School. In addition to her school assignments, Sara supports the Affective Needs programs for the district, as well as supporting the district Behavior Analyst team and serving as a CPI liaison. For the last 9 years Sara has worked in Special Education in the Denver Metro Area, serving as a Special Education Math teacher, Affective Needs teacher for students grades 6-12, an Assistant Principal in a Separate School Setting, and a district wide behavioral specialist for students K-12. Sara holds a Bachelors in Psychology from University of Colorado, Denver, and a Masters in Education Leadership and Policy Studies from University of Denver.

Outside of work Sara loves to spend time with her husband, two young sons, and extended family that live close by. Sara loves sports, and spending time with family watching soccer and football!

Sarah Cooksey Assistant Director

303-982-0777

Sarah Cooksey is in her second year of service with Jeffco and is currently working with secondary schools in the central and north regions of the district. For the last 16 years, Sarah has worked as a Special Education Teacher in both Denver and Colorado Springs serving populations from kindergarten through high school with a variety of needs. In addition to teaching in the K-12 world, Sarah worked as a research assistant and lecturer in the teacher preparation program at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. In this capacity, she worked to understand the educational structures, access, and supports that further outcomes for marginalized populations. Sarah's journey in special education started at the age of nine after her sister suffered a life-altering car accident leaving her physically and cognitively disabled. Sarah has worked to advance outcomes for individuals with disabilities and their families since then. Her passion for equity and inclusion are the cornerstones of her research endeavors and predicate her professional life. When Sarah has free time, she loves to be outside walking and hiking the foothills with her dogs.

Nicole Dallek Assistant Director

303-982-0030

Nicole is a New York native and has been living in Colorado since 2011. Prior to starting her role as an assistant director, Nicole was a special education teacher for ten years in both Jeffco and Gunnison Watershed School District serving the elementary population. In addition to her role, she serves on the Colorado Special Education Advisory Committee (CSEAC) as the Special Education Director representative. Nicole earned her Master's degree in 2013 from Western Colorado University and her Bachelor's degree in 2009 from the University at Buffalo. Most recently, she completed an additional Master's degree from Colorado Northern University in Educational Leadership and Special Education Administration.

In her free time, Nicole enjoys spending time with her husband Andrew and their dogs Baloo and Benny.

Sarah Fournier Assistant Director

303-982-0801

Sarah is in her second year with Jeffco Schools. She began her career working with teens and adults with mental health and substance use disorders in Massachusetts before transitioning into the field of education. Sarah has over a decade of experience in special education, both as a school social worker and an administrator. Most recently before coming to Jeffco, Sarah led seven separate school programs throughout Colorado for students with social, emotional, and behavioral needs along with two programs for students with Autism Spectrum and related disorders. Sarah holds a Master of Public Health degree from Boston University and a Master of Social Work degree from Loyola University Chicago.

Outside of work, Sarah enjoys skiing, climbing, hiking and spending time with her husband and their dogs.

Kelly Klatt Assistant Director

303-982-6198

Originally from Minnesota, by way of Nebraska, Kelly Klatt is proud to say she has been a member of Team Jeffco for 18 years. Kelly began her career in Jeffco as an Early Childhood Special Education teacher. Prior to working in Jeffco she worked in a Day Treatment facility, was a child-care director, and an in-home ABA provider. This is Kelly's 5th year as Assistant Director of Special Education. Kelly supports preschools and elementary schools in the Arvada, Green Mountain, and Pomona articulation areas. She oversees our Preschool Special Education programming, guiding the district teams on policy and professional development, as well oversees the iReady Accommodation as part of Read Act. This is her 23rd year in Special Education. She is passionate about supporting equity and inclusive practices for all students. Outside of work, Kelly enjoys yoga, reading, participating in 5k races and triathlons, or spending time in the mountains with her husband and their 2 active boys.

Emily Long Assistant Director

303-982-7458

Emily has been with Jeffco for the last fourteen years, serving nine years as an assistant principal in elementary, middle and high schools; and five years as a dual language instructional coach. Prior to this leadership experience, she was a dual language learning specialist and classroom teacher in Denver Public Schools. Originally from Indiana, where she started her career as a special educator, she moved to Colorado in 2000 to be closer to her brother. In addition to her role, she serves on the board of the Colorado Bilingual Schools Mental Health Network. She earned her BS at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN and MA in bilingual special education at CU Boulder. She completed her coursework in educational leadership at CU Denver. For over two decades, her passion has been and continues to be for equity and inclusion for all of our students. Emily enjoys spending her free time in the outdoors with her four teenage boys.

Adena Miller Assistant Director

303-982-1535

Adena Miller, Ph.D., has been committed to equity in education for over two decades. Her experiences range from teaching students in the classroom to coaching educators across the nation. Adena has co-authored special education policies at the Colorado Department of Education prior to conducting research evaluations of policy implementation at McREL International. Her passion for problem-solving the needs of struggling learners; building collaborative partnerships between professionals and families; and studying special education law inspires her work as an Assistant Director of Special Education in Jeffco Public Schools. Adena is driven to inspire, empower, teach, and learn within our community to meet the needs of all learners so that, together, we can improve outcomes for our students.

Karin Neugebauer Assistant Director

303-982-3065

Karin earned her bachelor's from SUNY Binghamton, master's from the University of Pittsburgh, and doctoral degree from CU Boulder. She started her career in education as a high school science teacher at Lexington School for the Deaf in New York City. Karin has served as an educator for over 25 years in a variety of roles, including instructional specialist, instructional coach, university instructor and researcher, dean, and assistant principal. She joined the Jeffco special education team in 2021 in her role as Assistant Director. Equity, collaboration, and high expectations are some of the core values that guide her as a leader. She is committed to supporting educators, students, and families as they work together to make sure all students achieve and graduate from Jeffco prepared for postsecondary success. In addition to supporting a group of schools, Karin supports both the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and Vision teams.

Lynea Pearson Assistant Director

303-982-3393

Lynea Pearson is a Colorado native and joined the Jeffco Public Schools as an Assistant Director in 2015. She started her career as a Speech Language Pathologist working in schools, hospitals, private practice, CDE, and 10 years as a University Clinical Professor. As an SLP her focus was on Assistive Technology and Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) along with reading/Dyslexia. She currently supports the Preschool Child Find evaluation team (3-5 year olds) as well as the brain injury (BrainSTEPs) consultation team. When not at work, you will find Lynea spending time with her family, church, gardening, making salsa and playing with the rescued family dog. Her passion is breaking down learning barriers and supporting students reach their full potential.

Allison Tayloe Assistant Director

303-982-8170

Allison Tayloe has been with Jeffco schools for the past six years, and this is her first year as an assistant director. Allison studied at Michigan State University for both her bachelors and master's degrees in special education learning disabilities, and most recently completed the executive leadership program through CU Denver. Over the course of Allison's career, she has served as a learning specialist, new teacher mentor, soccer coach, club sponsor, and advocate for students. Allison is passionate about equity in our education system and providing unique learning opportunities for students on IEPs. Outside of partnering with special education teams, Allison enjoys backpacking, backcountry skiing, home improvement projects, and spending time with her family.

Stacey Wells Assistant Director

303-982-5912

A Colorado native Stacey is proud to say she is was a Jeffco kid and brings her joy to be serving a community she grew up in. Stacey is in her sixth year with Jeffco Schools. She began her career as a prek/kindergarten teacher before transitioning into the field of special education. During her first few years of working in special education Stacey obtained her Master's of Special Education degree from Grand Canyon University. Stacey has a decade of experience in special education supporting students in a separate school settings.

Outside of work, Stacey enjoys fitness, spending time in the mountains, coaching youth basketball and you can always find her cheering on her son at his various sporting event.

Erin Frank Director

303-982-1726

Erin is a Colorado native, a second generation Jeffco student and 3rd generation Jeffco professional. She began working in the mental health field in 2002 as a counselor and director in treatment facilities and group homes. She joined Jeffco as a School Psychologist practicum student in the fall of 2005 and continued in the role of school psych supporting students in and out of Affective Needs (AN) programs through 2014 when she shifted into the role of Special Education Coordinator and then Assistant Director. As a Director of Special Education, Erin's core value of supporting students with disabilities to ensure that all students' area afforded the right to an inclusive education is the foundation of her daily work. Erin believes that students rise to high expectations and accomplish amazing things when they have the support of a collaborative team. As a Director, Erin's primary role is to support direct partnerships between student families and the school professionals. Erin encourages all members of an IEP team to enter conversations ready to listen and consider everyone's input with an open mind. She is grateful for each opportunity to grow and learn through interactions with Jeffco teams, students and families.

Jessica Goodkin Director

303-982-9703

Jessica has been working in education since 2009, as an educator, instructional coach and administrator. As a Director, Jessica is able to follow her passion of supporting staff, students and their families to ensure success and confidence for all. She is dedicated to instructional excellence for all students. Jessica is proud to be a part of a school district whose vision is to be a thriving district where all students achieve their biggest dreams. When she's not working, you can find Jessica hiking, camping, or snowboarding with her family all over Colorado.

Liza Meier Executive Director

303-982-9135

Liza is excited to work in Jeffco in order to create authentic, inclusive, and meaningful opportunities for all students, especially students with disabilities. For over 20 years, Liza has worked in the field of public education. 16 of these years have been spent in Jeffco working as a Special Education Teacher, Instructional Coach, Assistant Principal, Assistant Director and Director of Special Education before becoming the Executive Director of Special Education. She is dedicated to continued support of Jeffco Special Education professionals, students, and families.

Matt Palaoro Chief Student Success Officer

303-982-3500

Matt Palaoro is a servant leader who believes relationships, collaboration, and communication are the main ingredients to a healthy school year and our overall success. He listens closely, focuses on the needs of kids, and always acts with integrity. Although Matt is new to being an Executive Director of Special Education, his experience as a Special Education Paraprofessional, Special Education Teacher, Assistive Technology Coordinator, Special Education Coordinator, Assistant Director of Special Education, and Director of Special Education have prepared him for his new leadership role. Matt holds an MBA from the University of Northern Colorado in Educational Leadership and Special Education Administration. You can expect honesty, strong communication, and a child-centered approach when working with Matt. He is committed to improving the outcomes of every student with a disability in Jeffco Public Schools, and he loves his job!