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Faculty Bios

George Abbott - Dean of Educational Programs and Instruction

email: george@hadley.edu


Joan Binder

email: joan@hadley.edu

Courses: “Braille Reading 1 and 2” and “Essentials of Nemeth”

“I began working with blind people as a volunteer braille transcriber in Minneapolis in 1958. I also worked as the coordinator of the volunteer program in the state of Minnesota. After joining Hadley, I wrote and produced 'Essentials of Nemeth,' 'Braille Writing,' 'Relevant Braille' and another braille course.”

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Pamela Bortz

email: pamela@hadley.edu

Courses: “Braille Reading 1 and 2,” “Braille Writing,” “English Composition,” “English Literature 1,” “English Literature 2” and “Spelling: Word Study”

“I have a number of hobbies, including reading, playing the piano, organ, guitar and English handbells, as well as singing in my church choir. I’m also a licensed amateur radio operator.”

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Susan Fisher

email: susan@hadley.edu

Courses: “Abacus 1,” “Abacus 2,” “Braille Literacy 1,” “Braille Literacy 2,” “Braille Literacy 3” and “Braille Literacy 4”

“I joined the Hadley team in 1981 and teach three braille courses, as well as our two abacus courses. I have taught visually impaired people at all levels, both resource and itinerant. In my spare time, I enjoy exercising, reading, attending movies and plays and spending time with my family. My two latest adventures have been learning to play tennis and delivering Meals on Wheels.”

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Don Golembiewski

email: don@hadley.edu

Courses: “Self-Help Groups: An Introduction,” “Self-Help Groups: Advanced Topics,” “Glaucoma,” “Blindness Basics” and "Macular Degeneration"

“I taught blind adults in Wisconsin for nine years and served as the coordinator of Independent Living for Older Blind Individuals for the state of Wisconsin for 13 years. I have worked full-time for Hadley since March 2001 and enjoy it thoroughly. During my free time, I enjoy the outdoors, especially wilderness areas. My favorite hobbies include fly-fishing for trout, canoeing and, when I can't be outside, woodworking.”

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Deborah Good

email: deborah@hadley.edu

Courses: “Basic Conversational French” and “Basic Conversational Spanish”

“A Hadley instructor since 1993, I have taught foreign languages at the high school and college levels for more than 20 years. My cross-cultural experiences include living and studying in France and Mexico. I love singing in foreign languages and playing piano.”

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Edwin Haines

email: haines@hadley.edu

Courses: “Container Gardening,” “Self-Defense/Personal Safety” and “Safety in the Home”

“I have worked for a state agency providing rehabilitation services to visually impaired people for many years. I'm very excited to be part of Hadley's educational program. It's wonderful to be part of an organization that reaches out to so many people. When I have spare time, I love to spend it hiking in the woods with my family. I'm a student of martial arts and an avid listener of jazz.”

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Donna Hernandez

email: hernandez@hadley.edu

Courses: “Introduction to Braille,” “Contracted Braille” and “The Human Eye”

“For more than 32 years, I taught visually impaired students in a resource program for the Illinois public school system. In 2003, I became a Hadley instructor. My personal interests include my family (husband, son, two dogs and three cats), cross-stitching, golf and directing the children's choir at my church.”

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Sharon Howerton

email: sharon@hadley.edu

Courses: “Parenting: Preparation,” “Parenting: Infancy” and “Parenting: Early Years”

“Prior to joining Hadley in 2002, I worked for 25 years as a rehabilitation counselor for the blind and visually impaired with the Illinois Department of Rehabilitation Services. When an early retirement program was offered in combination with the position at Hadley, I could not resist the opportunity for such a dramatic career change. My primary outside interest, aside from family/friends, is my interest in music; I am a voice student and sing both in church and with the People's Music School, Chicago, the only free school in the country devoted to the study of classical music.”

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Ginger Irwin

email: ginger@hadley.edu

Courses: “Finding Your Way” and “Going Places”

"I have been in the vision field since the early 1980s. I was a P.E. teacher and later Director of Residential Services at a state school for the blind. I have coached swimming and other sports since 1980. Currently, I work full time as an Orientation and Mobility Specialist for a Special Education Co-op in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. I have been a part-time instructor for Hadley since 1995, and I have thoroughly enjoyed working with my students."

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Patti Jacobson

email: patti@hadley.edu

Courses: “Independent Living” and “Food Series”

“I enjoy cooking, homemaking and going for long walks. I am very active in my church and enjoy participating in community Bible studies.”

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Julie Lee Kay

email: julie@hadley.edu

Courses: “American Government,” “Early America,” “Modern America,” “Raising Responsible Children,” “U.S. History: Discovery to the Jacksonian Era,” “U.S. History: The Nineteenth Century,” “U.S. History: World Wars,” “U.S. History: Post World War Years” and “World History”

“I taught for six years at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. I also worked for 10 years at the Texas Commission for the Blind, where I started the Transition Program. At Hadley, I’ve served as director of the Family Education Department, associate dean and dean of educational operations. I was a contributing author of Skills for Success, published by the American Foundation for the Blind, which focuses on career awareness for middle school blind children. I like to spend time with my family, and I enjoy traveling.”

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Nafisa Keels

email: nafisa@hadley.edu

Courses: “Introduction to Braille,” “Contracted Braille” and “Essentials of Nemeth”

“I have taught in state school settings and as an itinerant for private and public agencies. I’ve had the pleasure of living and teaching in four states. My personal hobbies include skiing, ice skating, horseback riding and, when I can get away to the Florida Keys, I enjoy SCUBA diving and dolphin research and training.”

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Geraldine Lawhorn

email: lawhorn@ripco.edu

Course: “Elements of Poetry”

“Literature enables us to see and hear. We can view the people, scenes and events presently around us by reading current periodicals, and we can see the lives of those who lived in the past, giving us more understanding. In my college years, I studied drama to present literature to others from the stage. Working for the Hadley School has given me the opportunity to expand my vision.”

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Judy Matsuoka

email: judy@hadley.edu

Courses: "Introduction to Braille" and "Contracted Braille"

"I’ve been an itinerant special education teacher, a rehabilitation teacher and a university instructor. For the 10 years prior to joining Hadley’s staff, I was the director of a non-profit organization where I wrote grants and worked on civil rights and social justice issues. I am happy to return to teaching and to work with Hadley students."

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Sue Melrose

email: sue@hadley.edu

Courses: “Introduction to Braille,” “Contracted Braille” and “Early Independence”

“Because I took a course through Hadley when I was a teenager, it was fun to come back and work here. I began working in the Computer Services Department, but I wanted to get back to my background in early childhood education.”

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Martha Pamperin

email: martha@hadley.edu

Courses: “Braille Literacy 1,” “Braille Literacy 2,” “Braille Literacy 3” and “Braille Literacy 4”

“I taught multi-handicapped students and, later, visually impaired students until 1997, when I became a Hadley School instructor. I like to read, especially mystery and science fiction novels, and to walk with my guide dog, Roo. With a small tape recorder in my pocket and an earphone in one ear, I can do both simultaneously. During the evening, I'll take on anyone who is willing at almost any card game.”

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Cathy Pasinski

email: cathy@hadley.edu

Courses: “Mathematics Diagnostic Test,” “Mathematics 1 General,” “Mathematics 2: Pre-Algebra,” “General Science” and “Life Science”

“Before joining Hadley, I worked as a vision itinerant teacher and an Orientation and Mobility Specialist in Illinois for eight years. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and watching movies with my family.”

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Sandi Postle

email: sandi@hadley.edu

Courses: “Typing 1” and “Typing 2”

"During 28 years of teaching, I have taught visually impaired children in itinerant, resource room and residential school settings. My experience with teaching visually impaired adults has been in their homes and a rehabilitation center. Subjects I have taught include daily living skills, low vision techniques, typing, braille communication skills and orientation and mobility. I am very excited to be affiliated with The Hadley School for the Blind as the school's typing instructor. Hadley students are very diverse, interesting and extremely focused on working toward their goals. I am proud to be a part of their journey toward independence. I enjoy walking the beach, reading, crocheting and playing with my animals."

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Linda Perry

email: linda@hadley.edu

Courses: “Braille Placement,” “Braille Reading 1 and 2” and “Effective Braille Reading”

“I have been a Hadley student a few times, starting in 1973, when I brushed up on typing. I've taken the computer courses and 'Basic Conversational Spanish.' I have taken computer courses, 'Conversational Spanish' and 'The Human Eye.' I enjoy reading, good conversation, drama, science fiction and participating in church activities. I like to speak to groups about Hadley.”

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Vicky Prahin

email: vicky@hadley.edu

Courses: “Basic English,” " Business Law 1 and 2," “English Diagnostic Test,” “English Skills 1” and “Using Raised Markers”

“I enjoy reading, travel, working outdoors and learning about people and places. Hadley students give me an opportunity to meet many people from all over the world!”

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Robert Rathbun

email: bob@hadley.edu

Courses: “Chess,” “New Testament Survey,” “Old Testament Law and History,” “Old Testament Poetry and Prophecy” and “Your Bible”

“I am also a pastor at a small Baptist church in Lowell, Massachusetts. I teach, counsel, preach and hold services at nursing homes in the area. In second grade, I read two volumes of my 18-volume braille Bible and was bored with it. Then, while a senior in high school, I continued reading the Bible and became very familiar with it. I took every religion class I could in college.”

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Amy Salmon

email: amy@hadley.edu

Courses: “Access Technology Beginnings,” “Business Communications,” “Internet: Beyond the Basics” and “Using Excel”

“After working for over a decade in public relations and advertising, I began working with individuals who are blind or visually impaired in 1997. I spent the next several years developing and teaching courses on the use of computers and access technology for individuals who are blind or visually impaired for the AFB, Veteran’s Affairs Department and as a private consultant. As a member of the Hadley team, I get to combine my two passions – teaching and technology – every day. I enjoy reading, swimming and tandem bicycle riding. I also have two young children who keep me busy and young at heart."

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Theresa Schaeffer

email: theresa@hadley.edu

Courses: “Health 1,” “Health 2” and “High School Entrance Assignment”

“I enjoy fishing, horseback riding and biking. When I am not able to engage in those activities, I like challenging my mind with logic puzzles and transferring music from LPs, 45s and 78s onto reel-to-reel recorders. I am an old movie and memorabilia collector whose favorite performer is Bette Davis. I enjoy reading historical accounts and, on the whole, really enjoy exploring, expanding and learning new things.”

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Vileen Shah

email: vileen@hadley.edu

Courses: "Economics", “Braille Literacy 1,” “Braille Literacy 2,” “Braille Literacy 3,”“Braille Literacy 4” and the "Entrance Assignment"

"Prior to joining Hadley, I was teaching History and Social Sciences at Harold Washington College in Chicago. Teaching at Hadley opened up a whole new world for me. I enjoy reading science fiction, articles of general interest and listening to radio. Traveling is also my love."

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Debbie Siegel

email: debra@hadley.edu

Courses: “Abacus 1 and 2” and "Introduction to Braille"

"I have enjoyed being a Hadley Instructor since 1987. During my tenure, I have been privileged to observe the growth of the school, especially in the family education and professional programs. My three children, two daughters and a son, keep me hopping. During my spare time, I like to read, bake and sew quilts."

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Betsy Slade

email: betsy@hadley.edu

Courses: “Braille Literacy 1, 2 and 3”

“I have been a Hadley staff member since 1965. I’ve enjoyed watching Hadley grow–more and more students are emailing their lessons to me.”

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Linn Sorge

email: linn@hadley.edu

Courses: “Internet Basics,” “Internet Skills Diagnostic,” “Social Skills Series” and “Word Processing”

“I worked for 20 years at Northern Illinois University and now have returned to teaching one-on-one at a distance education school. I hope to help students learn and to grow."

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Angie Sveum

email: angie@hadley.edu

Courses: “Business Writing,” “English Skills 1,” “Punctuation,” “Birdsong Tutor,” “Basic English” and “Doing it the Metric Way”

“Before coming to Hadley, I was an itinerant teacher for a few years in northern Illinois. I taught students who are visually impaired in the public schools. That experience gave me an appreciation for variety in life. At Hadley, I am able to enjoy teaching a variety of courses. In my free time, I love to run, especially in marathons, and watch old movies.”

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Naomi Tuttle

email: naomi@hadley.edu

Courses: “Diabetes: Toward Self Management, ” “The Human Eye” and “Self-Esteem and Adjusting with Blindness”

“I have been a Hadley instructor since 1991, with prior experience as a staff nurse, braille transcriber and librarian. I have co-authored several chapters on the topic of blindness and designed a couple of Hadley courses. I was born in Africa, and my husband and I have three sons and five grandchildren.”

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Pam Winters

email: winters@hadley.edu

Courses: “Basic Nemeth Code” and “Reach Out and Teach”

“I have worked in the field of blindness and visual impairment since 1983. In addition to my position with Hadley, I teach full-time in an elementary resource room for the visually impaired. In my free time, I enjoy making scrapbooks, cross-stitching and participating in community theater. I have two teenage boys who also keep me very busy.”

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Debbie Worman

email: debbie@hadley.edu

Courses: “Personal Psychology,” “Effective Listening,” “Child Development” and “Learning Through Play”

“I have been a Hadley faculty member since 1988. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and have worked with senior citizens, foster care families and teen mothers. It is great working with diverse families.”

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