Empowering Special Education Needs

Co-Chair

Holly resides in downtown Plymouth with her husband and three children, ages 17, 9 and 6. Holly is entering her 5th year of homeschooling her 9 year old son, who requires special education. Although she never envisioned herself in this role, she has found the experience to be rewarding and enlightening. In conjunction with his homeschool plan, her son receives his IEP services through Plymouth Public School System. A model that has worked very well. She is passionate about serving on the SEPAC to work with parents to advise on special education within the Plymouth School District. This will be her 3rd year serving as a board member.

Co-Chair

April has been a Plymouth resident for over 20 years and is a proud mother of three, as well as the guardian of her 7-year-old grandson. She owns Ready, Set, Grow, a local family child care program, and has over 25 years of experience in early childhood education.

After navigating the IEP process for her grandson, April joined the SEPAC board to stay involved and help other families better understand and access Special Education services.

She is especially passionate about advocating for the social-emotional well-being of all children and believes that feeling safe and supported is essential for learning and growth.

District/SEPAC Liaison

As a mother of three children aged 7, 5, and 1, Elyse brings a deeply personal perspective to the Plymouth SEPAC board. Her professional background includes extensive experience working with children of varying ages and abilities in diverse settings, from childcare and adolescent residential programs to home-based services through the Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative (CBHI). 

Elyse has a Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, and her passion lies in supporting children and their families as they navigate the special education system.
Having faced challenges both professionally and personally in this area, she understands the complexities involved. 

Elyse discovered the SEPAC just over a year ago and has greatly benefited from the invaluable knowledge they shared. In all settings, Elyse works to ensure every child with a disability receives the tailored, compassionate assistance they deserve. Elyse looks forward to leveraging her experience and passion to support other families in her role as District/SEPAC Liaison.

Community Development

Shandi is currently pursuing a degree in Psychology with the goal of working within the public school system to support students and families. 

As a dedicated stay-at-home mom, Shandi is actively involved in supporting her son through various therapies, gaining firsthand experience and insight into the special education system.

As the SEPAC board member focused on Community Development, Shandi is passionate about fostering strong communication between parents, caregivers, educators, and local resources. She believes in creating meaningful opportunities for all children to thrive through individualized learning experiences, while helping caregivers feel supported and empowered.

A proud Plymouth resident and mom of three children—ages 15, 4, and 9 months—Shandi finds joy in family life and values time spent by the beach and watching sunsets as a way to reset and recharge.

Treasurer

A devoted parent and passionate advocate, Stephanie is the proud mother of three young boys, ages 6, 5, and 2. Two of her children currently have IEPs, and she works every day to support their developmental, medical, and physical needs with compassion and determination. With a deep understanding of medically complex children, developmental delays, and rare diseases, Stephanie brings valuable insight to her SEPAC role. 

Stephanie is neurodiverse herself and understands firsthand the challenges of navigating school without adequate support. Her personal experiences have fueled her commitment to advocating for accessible, inclusive education—not just for her own children, but for all families within the district.

Together with her partner, Stephanie co-owns and operates a small family-run business in town, and they are deeply rooted in the Plymouth community. She brings her organizational skills, lived experience, and unwavering dedication to her role on SEPAC, working in collaboration with families and the district to help ensure every child has the tools and support needed to thrive.