Olivia Yancey has been working at SESA since 2014. She has had the privilege of serving Alaskans as an Education Specialist of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Program Administrator for the Low Incidence Disabilities Program, and currently as SESA’s Executive Director. Prior to working at SESA, she taught students who were Deaf/deaf or hard of hearing in Wyoming and Maryland school districts. She earned her B.S. in Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (K-12) from Barton College, and a Master’s in Education of the Deaf (MDE) at Vanderbilt University. A lifelong learner, Olivia obtained a graduate certificate in educational leadership from University of Alaska Anchorage and a certificate in nonprofit management from The Foraker Group. In Olivia’s spare time, she likes to go on adventures with her dog. As an administrator her primary goal is to support SESA specialists as they offer technical assistance to school teams and community members in rural and rural remote locations of Alaska.

Katie Groller grew up in Anchorage, Alaska and after spending years living “outside” has returned home and joined the team as an Executive Assistant at SESA in May of 2022. During her travels, Katie lived and worked in Albuquerque, Denver, Seattle, Palm Springs, and Phoenix. She says she learned that she would rather deal with a cold winter than a hot summer anytime. Her background in television news has taught her how to handle any situation and change direction at the drop of a hat. Katie loves being the favorite aunt of her niece and nephew and isn’t above offering bribes to keep the title. She is also an avid reader and film buff who always has a recommendation. At SESA she looks forward to supporting the staff to help children across Alaska.

Yuya joined SESA as Educational Technologist in 2012. He was born and raised in Sapporo, Japan. He studied Physics, computer science and education. Before he joins SESA, he worked as the technology coordinator for Hokkaido International School where he taught basic computer skills and applications for 7th to 9th graders, engaged in training staff and assisted with technology for the school. He enjoys spending time with his family and doing outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking, biking and picking berries. He is interested not only in technology, but also in fostering cultural exchanges and mutual understanding between Japan and Alaska.

Abby is from a small town in Ohio and joined SESA in 2022. Prior to moving to Alaska, she graduated from Kent State University with a degree in Deaf Education. She is currently in her second year of the Deafblind Education master’s program at the University of Utah and will graduate in May of 2025. Abby advocates for communication access in a modality that best suits the student's needs. In her spare time, Abby likes to travel, swim, and be outdoors.

Amy Topmiller is one of SESA’s Multiple Disabilities Specialist that is entering her 8th year with the agency. She grew up in the southwest suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. Her education includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Eastern Illinois University and a Master of Science degree in Special Education from the University of Illinois at Chicago. In 2016, she obtained National Board Certification for Exceptional Needs. Her teaching experience includes both therapeutic day and public-school settings working with a wide range of students. In her spare time, Amy enjoys walking her dog, working on home improvements, and biking.

Originally from Norman, Oklahoma, Angel Black moved to Alaska in June 2016, sight unseen, and now calls the “Land of the Midnight Sun” home. Angel serves as the Vision Education Specialist in the Low Incident Disabilities (LID) Visual Impairment Program and Co-Project Director of the Alaska Deafblind Project. Angel has a mission to support school teams individualize social educational programs for the needs of their students, and a passion for data collection when coaching teams to develop a person-centered education plan.

Prior to her move to Alaska, Angel taught students with a variety of differences: age, grade, class and unique needs including low vision and blindness. Angel holds a B.S.Ed in Cross-Categorical Special Education K-12 and a M.S.Ed in Blindness Low Vision from Missouri State University. She is also a Nationally Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist from Portland State University. 

Angel is a lifelong learner. She consistently seeks new training, input from experts in the field of vision loss and deafblindness, attends conferences, and engages in special projects for the benefits of Alaskans. Angel has a skill for tackling complex cases by integrating knowledge and methods from various professionals and community stakeholders to develop person-centered education plans that benefit the students she serves. As the co-project director of the Alaska Deafblind Project, she strives to connect Alaskans with information on how to access the general education curriculum, communication plans and strategies, information about deafblindness, available resources, intervener training, and resources for stakeholders on transition supports for students exiting school. Since 2019, Angel has connected Alaskan school districts with content, training, and webinar guest speakers from highly acclaimed organizations such as the National Center on Deafblindness, Helen Keller National Center, Portland State University, Northwest Center for Assistive Technology Training, and Perkins School for the Blind.

Autumn has been working at the Alaska Autism Resource Center (AARC) since 2022. Autumn graduated from the University of Central Florida (UCF) with an M.Ed. in Exceptional Student Education. She earned a graduate certificate in autism spectrum disorders from UCF. Autumn has eighteen years of experience in special education. She enjoys reading and playing with her 6 cats. 

Erin Land is originally from a small ranching community in Wyoming. Erin attended The University of Northern Colorado and received her dual degree in Special Education and Elementary Education with an emphasis in Sensory Regulation. She has taught for seven years in Limerick, Ireland, and Anchorage, Alaska.  She enjoys reading, gardening, and traveling with her husband in her free time. Erin has been an Autism Specialist for SESA for three years. Erin’s goal as a specialist is to create meaningful relationships as she supports sites to determine the best strategies to use with their students in guiding them to success.

Jennifer has been working at SESA since 2011. Prior to working at SESA, Jennifer taught
students with moderate to severe disabilities in a variety of settings in rural Alaska, Kansas,
and Massachusetts. Jennifer is originally from MN and graduated from Winona State
University in 2002 with her Bachelor of Science. She has degrees in both Elementary
Education and Mild/Moderate/Severe Cognitive Impairments. Jennifer also holds a Master's
Degree in Assistive Technology. In her spare time, she enjoys biking, hiking, and reading.

John Barrowman originally came from a small town in the Californian foothills of the Sierra Nevadas. He moved to Oregon to attend college at the University of Oregon where he completed his bachelors degree in psychology and a minor in special education in 2009. It was during his bachelors that he was inspired by a guest lecturer to enroll in a program called Project PASS (Preparing Autism Specialists for Schools). He completed Project PASS in 2010 and completed a licensure program for early childhood special education/early intervention and his masters in 2011. After completing school, John moved to Alaska and remained in the Northwest Arctic region working in schools as an intensive needs special education teacher and traveled to support students in the outlying villages for four years. John has been with SESA since 2015 and enjoys being able to bring services to where they are needed. He enjoys fishing, hiking, and cooking.

Kelly has been part of the SESA team since 2024. She is an Autism Specialist for the Low Incidence Disabilities program and the Alaska Autism Resource Center, AARC. She has been an educator since 2001 and has her Master of Special Education and Educational Leadership. She has served as a Special Education Teacher, Professional Development Facilitator, Novice Teacher Mentor, Instruction and athletic coach, and School Administrator in Florida and Alaska. In her spare time, she likes to go camping, kayaking, fishing (especially ice fishing), and watching all types of documentaries. Kelly believes in person-first thinking and celebrates individuality to determine the most appropriate interventions and tools to support all persons.

Lyon has worked at SESA since 2006 as an Emotional Disabilities Specialist providing consultation,
training, and technical assistance to school district staff and families. He has been working in the field of
education and school psychology since 1992 and holds national certifications in applied behavior
analysis and school psychology, as well as a license to practice applied behavior analysis in the State of
Alaska. Lyon started his career in San Antonio, Texas, and later worked overseas for the Department of

Defense Dependents Schools. He has also worked for the Hawaii Department of Education’s School-
Based Behavioral Health Program in Leeward District (Oahu). Lyon’s goal is always to assist those

students experiencing social, emotional, and behavioral challenges in ways that help them be more
successful in the educational environment. In his spare time, Lyon and his super-awesome wife enjoy
travel and outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, and water activities.

Meriah Cory moved to Anchorage (started working with SESA) in the winter of 2011 from Kazakhstan, where she served in the Peace Corps. She worked with government and non-governmental agencies to develop life skills programs for youth with mild to severe disabilities. Meriah graduated from Montana State University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science. She has degrees in both elementary and special education. In 2021 she graduated from George Mason University with a master’s in Assistive Technology.

Raedean Van Werven is from Washington State and has been working at SESA since 2025. She received her bachelor’s in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Western Washington University and her master’s in Special Education from Grand Canyon University. She has five years of public school teaching experience in Washington State. In her free time she enjoys crochet, reading, and spending time with family. Her goal as a first year Autism Education Specialist is to build lasting relationships with trust and respect as she learns about the individuals and communities she is supporting.

Rob has been a member of SESA since 2024.. Before joining SESA, he taught special education in Virginia and worked as a behavior technician. Rob holds an M.A.T. degree with a special education endorsement from Mary Baldwin University and a B.A. in philosophy from the University of Virginia. In his spare time, he enjoys playing guitar, biking, playing basketball, and reading. His goal as an education specialist is to be a valuable resource for educators across Alaska.

Samantha joined SESA in 2024 as one of the Multiple Disabilities Specialists. From 2015 to 2022, Samantha as one of the Autism Specialists at SESA.  She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Therapeutic Horsemanship from St. Andrews University and a Master of Arts in Special Education K-12 grades from Mary Baldwin College. She has taught special education from early childhood to high school for over 15 years. In her spare time, Samantha enjoys hiking, taking pictures, and learning new Alaska-based skills. Samantha’s goal as a specialist is to support teachers and help students succeed.

Christine Collier has been a part of the SESA support team since 2013. Originally a Southern California native, she has lived in Alaska for almost 10 years. Upon moving to Alaska, Christine decided she wanted to be a part of an organization that served a greater purpose. Her years of administrative experience, combined with the desire to help others, allowed Christine to find the right fit for her at SESA. In her free time, Christine enjoys trying to keep up with her 4-year-old son, husband, and two dogs. There is nothing better than exploring Alaska with family and friends!

Claire Agni joined SESA in 2022 after 7 years at Anchorage Public Library. Born and raised in Anchorage, Claire is excited to continue to serve her hometown and state. She earned her Bachelor of Art in Liberal Studies from Alaska Pacific University in 2009, and her Master of Science in Library and Information Science, as well as, an Advanced Certificate in Archives, from Pratt Institute in 2013. In her spare time, Claire enjoys playing with her dog, baking, traveling, and listening to K-Pop.

I have been working at SESA since 2024. I have a bachelor’s degree in graphic design from Georgefox University. I have 8+ years of experience working with preschool children in many different roles, ranging from teacher to office admin. I have been around individuals with a variety of special needs since I was very young. I have worked with Hope as a service provider, and I have worked in the Anchorage School District as an aide in a special education preschool classroom. In my free time, I enjoy watching sports, primarily college football (OU Fan) and hockey (Avs Fan). I also enjoy spending time with my family (Wife: Cassie, Daughters: Penny & Norah, and Son: Eli) and pets (Dog: Gunner and Bearded Dragon: Mushu). As a Program Assistant, it is my primary goal to assist the specialists and programs within SESA to ensure the children in Alaska receive the best service possible!

Kathryn Miljure joined SESA in October, 2024. Her background combines over five years in early childhood development with seven years in office administration, giving her a unique perspective on both the educational and organizational sides of our work. She is passionate about working in roles that uplift her community – especially those focusing on supporting children and families 

Kathryn has lived in Alaska for over 25 years. She has two wonderful daughters, and two energetic dogs. She is an ambivert by nature, which means you can find her either baking something sweet in the kitchen or curled up with a good book (especially during winter, when she likes to go full-on hibernation mode!). 

Kathryn loves being part of a mission-driven team and looks forward to continuing to grow in a field that makes a difference.

I’ve been working for SESA since March 2025. Previously, I worked for the Arc, doing program assurance, and fell in love with the community of those supporting individuals in Alaska. I am an artist at heart, and my goal at SESA is to support our specialists so that they can provide the best support SESA can offer.