Candidates for the TAPED Board 2024 Election
Marina McCormick
Desired Position: President
Dr. Marina McCormick has 24 years of experience in the field of special education as both a teacher of the deaf and as a special education administrator. She currently serves as the Coordinator for the Region 4 Regional Day School Program for the Deaf in Houston, Texas. In addition, Dr. McCormick is an adjunct instructor for undergraduate and graduate coursework in special education at both the University of Houston and Texas Tech University. She is a published author in the field with her work appearing in publications such as the Council for Exceptional Children’s Division of Visual Impairments and Deafblindness Quarterly, Texas Senseabilities, and Supporting Success for Children with Hearing Loss. She is the current acting President of the Texas Association of Parents and Educators of the Deaf (TAPED) and is seeking reelection for a second term.
If reelected President of TAPED, Dr. McCormick would bring knowledge and skills from her background as both a Regional Day School Program for the Deaf Coordinator, as well as leadership experience in special education programming such as Preschool Programs for Children with Disabilities, services and supports for students with visual impairments, and related services. She is a strong advocate for families and children, and as such, she welcomes the opportunity to continue to serve the state of Texas in this capacity.
Lindsay Chandler
Desired Position: Vice President
Kristin Pfeiffer
Desired Position: Secretary
Kristin Pfeiffer is the Education Specialist for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing at Region 4 Education Service Center (ESC) in Houston. She has accumulated 31 years of experience in special education, with 21 of those years dedicated to deaf education. Before her current role at Region 4 ESC, she served as a program director for special education, overseeing assessment and acting as the RDSPD administrator for the fiscal agent for 11 years. Before that, she worked as an Educational Diagnostician for a decade, where one of her roles involved working at the RDSPD intermediate site campus. Kristin’s career began as a special education teacher, a position she held for five years. She is actively involved in professional organizations, currently serving as the Secretary for TAPED and chairing the Registration subcommittee. Additionally, Kristin joined the SWCED planning committee for the 2022 conference, where she assisted with the silent auction.
Amy Holcomb
Desired Position: Director at Large
Amy has been involved in Deaf Education for 20 years. She is an alum of RIT/NTID, earning a BS in Multidisciplinary Studies and a MS in Special Education/Deaf Education. Amy started her career as an interpreter both in the K-12 and college settings and worked there for nearly 10 years. Amy went on to teach elementary school for 6 years at Texas School for the Deaf (TSD). She became the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Coordinator four years ago. Most recently, Amy has transitioned to the Supervisor of Family and Student Advocacy Services position. Amy has seen with her experiences both in the classroom, school support staff and as a Communication Skills Workshop teacher the challenges that everyone faces within Deaf Education. She is motivated to bring together people and resources across the state to ensure successful experiences for all. She looks forward to the possibility of working with all of you as the Director at Large.
Angela Belding
Desired Position: Director at Large
Angela Belding recently completed her 38th year in the field of deaf education. She is currently the facilitator of the RDSPD Program Review Process, a program to evaluate the RDSPD programs in Texas. Angela served previously for 13 years as the program coordinator of the Brazos River RDSPD in North Texas. She has been honored to serve on the TAPED Board for 16 years serving as Secretary, Director of Educators, and currently Director at Large. Angela has not missed a single Statewide Conference on Education of the Deaf since 1986.
Jennifer Stokes Magee
Desired Position: Director of Educators
Jennifer Magee has been in education for 31 years as a resource teacher, site-based teacher, itinerant teacher, teacher of the DeafBlind, and educational diagnostician. For the past three years, she has been serving as a Program Specialist for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing with the West Ten RDSPD. She holds a master’s degree in Deaf Education from Lamar University and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Southwestern University. She went on to receive her educational diagnostician certification from the University of St. Thomas and graduate certificate in DeafBlind from Texas Tech. She currently serves on the statewide DeafBlind committee assisting with the DeafBlind certification test.
Nastassia Rosas
Desired Position: Director of Educators
Dr. Nastassia Rosas holds a doctorate in curriculum instruction and has devoted more than a decade to advancing the fields of deaf education and special education. Beyond her professional role as a special education coordinator, she volunteers regularly with a local nonprofit that advocates for equality within the deaf community through resource provision, awareness campaigns, and deaf ministry. Dr. Rosas is deeply committed to advocating for diverse students and creating equitable, inclusive educational opportunities. She collaborates closely with educators to support students with diverse needs, driven by her passion for empowerment and collaboration. Her prospective role on the TAPED Board would strengthen her ability to ensure comprehensive support for all students and their educators. Since 2021, Dr. Rosas has actively contributed to the SWCED planning committee, focusing mainly on the Communication Strand. Alongside her expertise in special education, deaf education, and early childhood, she balances her roles as a wife, mother of two young children under six, and a self-taught sewist/embroider.
Anne Darr
Desired Position: Director of Educators
Anne Darr is a wife, a mother of three young adults, and a lifelong educator. She currently serves as a Special Programs Coordinator at the Education Service Center Region 11. She earned her B.S. in Deaf Education in 1989 and her M.Ed. in Educational Administration in 2011, both from Texas Christian University. Anne has taught students in the middle school and elementary settings, as an itinerant teacher, as a Parent Advisor working with families of deaf/hard of hearing children ages 0-3, and as a teacher of homebound students. She is a writing project trainer for Abydos Literacy and Learning, and she has presented at conferences and in school districts throughout the state of Texas. Anne is passionate about literacy and the teaching of reading and writing; she actively seeks out new, innovative, hands-on ways to inspire student and teacher learning across the curriculum; and she excels at finding ways to incorporate parents and community members into the learning process.
The Texas Association of Parents and Educators of the Deaf provides a statewide voice for parents and professionals who are passionate about ensuring an optimum education for children and youth who are deaf or hard of hearing. I have devoted my entire professional career to doing just that; therefore, my knowledge, expertise, leadership experience, organizational skills, professional resume, and collaborative approach to accomplishing tasks make me an exceptionally qualified candidate for the Director of Educators.
Tina Vaguine
Desired Position: Director of Educators
Tina Vaguine has 18 years of experience in the field of deaf education, both as a teacher and a deaf education administrator. She currently serves as the manager of the Dallas ISD Regional Day School Program for the Deaf in Dallas, Texas. Tina holds a master’s degree in deaf education and certifications in Deaf Education EC-12, General Education PK-8, and Principal EC-12. Over the years, Tina has served on the Statewide Conference on the Education of the Deaf planning committees. She is excited about the possibility of continuing to serve as the Director of Educators for T.A.P.E.D. This position will allow her to collaborate with others in our field to provide support for students and staff throughout the state of Texas.
Kristina Ford
Desired Position: Parent Director
Kristina Ford is the parent of a 3-year-old child who has a progressive vision and hearing loss. She has worked in deaf education for 27 years. For the past 5 years she has been serving as the coordinator for the Temple ISD Regional Day School Program for the Deaf. She has a master’s degree in special education from the University of St. Thomas, and a bachelor’s degree in deaf education from Stephen F. Austin State University. She received her principal certification from Lamar University.