Meet the Staff

Leadership Team

Wendy Deters

Wendy Deters

MS, CCC/SLP, LSLS Cert AVed, Executive Director

Wendy serves as the leader and visionary voice for Child's Voice. She provides support for all the students, families, and staff. 

Rollen Cooper

Rollen Cooper

M.S., LSLS Cert. AVEd, DT/H, Director of Clinical Services

As the Director of Clinical Services, Rollen oversees all operations and activities of the Audiology and Early Intervention programs.

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Rich Novy

Ed. D., School Principal

As the School Principal, Rich leads the School Program, working with teachers, staff, students, and families to ensure that Child's Voice is a safe place for each child to learn and grow.

Jody Beckford

Jody Beckford

Director of Individual and Corporate Giving

Jody works with the Advancement team to generate and secure funding from individuals and corporations to support the programs of Child's Voice.

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Annie Gilmartin

Director of Events and Community Relations
As Director of Events and Community Relations, Annie is responsible for special events, fundraising events, foundation gifts, and community outreach.
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Jessie Watson

Accounting Manager

Child's Voice Staff

Amy Badger

Amy Badger

M.S., Primary I Teacher

As a Teacher of the Deaf, Amy is a teacher, substitute teacher, and an assistant who enjoys working with the students at Child’s Voice.

Corinne Bussa

Corinne Bussa

Corinne came to Child’s Voice in 2002 as a parent of a student in Early Intervention, and began working here when her child graduated to the mainstream.

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Kim Callese

School Manager

Kim is usually the first friendly face you meet when arriving at Child’s Voice. She joined the team in April 2014, and her current role involves managing the front desk area and working closely with the students, teachers, and staff.

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Noelle Cochrane

Primary I Teacher

Noelle graduated in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in Deaf Education from Illinois State University. She started at Child’s Voice in 2023.

Robyn Cox

Robyn Cox

M.S., Discovery Center

As the Discovery Center Teacher at Child’s Voice, Robyn works with the preschool students, ages 3-5, in a large group setting (8-10 students).

Julie Deely

Julie Deely

DT/H, Early Intervention Specialist

Julie received a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders and a certificate in American Sign Language and Deaf studies from the University of Iowa with the goal of becoming a speech-language pathologist.

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Danielle DeGuzman

DT/H, Early Intervention Specialist

As a Developmental Therapist for Hearing, Danielle provides Aural Rehabilitation services to families and their children aged birth through 3 years old. She sees families for home-based services, via teletherapy, and on site at Child's Voice.

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Colin Drexler

Teaching Assistant

Colin serves as a teaching assistant for the School Program.

Maddie Degnan

Madison Degnan

Teaching Assistant

Madison serves as a teaching assistant for the School Program.

Nina Fistler

Nina Fistler

M.S., CCC-SLP, Early Intervention Specialist

As a speech-language pathologist and early intervention specialist, Nina provides speech, language, and listening therapy for children ages 0-3 and their families. Nina sees families in their home, through teletherapy, and provides in-person sessions at Child’s Voice within the Toddler program.

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Paige Gallagher

Au. D

As a Pediatric Audiologist, Dr. Paige serves the pediatric population as both a diagnostic and educational audiologist.

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Sarah Hoppe

M.A., LSLS Cert. AVEd

As a Teacher of the Deaf, Sarah Hoppe began her career at Child’s Voice in June of 2005.  She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s Degree in Early Intervention in Deaf Education.

Carrie Jackiewicz

Carrie Jackiewicz

M.S., LSLS Cert. AVEd

As Alumni Relations Coordinator, Carrie ensures the success of our alumni in their home schools by supporting families and school staff that work with our alumni.

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Kathy Knudsen

M.D.E., Primary I Lead Teacher

As a Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Kathy began her career at Child’s Voice in 2017. Prior to working at Child’s Voice, Kathy worked at Ohio Valley Voices and Children of Peace.

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Melissa Hyder

MA, School Counselor

Melissa is the School Counselor, working with students through group and individual counseling and classroom lessons to support their social, emotional, academic, and career goals.

Deneal Mailfald

Deneal Mailfald

Teaching Assistant

Deneal is a teaching assistant in the P1 program.

Sarah Miller

Sarah Miller

M.S.P., CCC-SLP, Early Intervention Specialist

As an early intervention speech-language pathologist, Sarah provides speech, language, and listening therapy for families and children in the birth-3 population. She sees children for home-based services, via teletherapy, and at Child’s Voice during Toddler Group.

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Carol Morency

Marketing and Giving Coordinator

Carol Morency is responsible for grant writing, website management, and some marketing projects. 

Siri Nicol

Siri Nicol

M.A., CCC-SLP

Siri is the speech language pathologist for our school program. 

Laura Straka

Laura Straka

M.S., CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert. AVT, Early Intervention Lead Therapist

Laura is the Early Intervention program’s Lead Therapist/SLP. As an early intervention speech-language pathologist, Laura began her career at Child’s Voice in 2010.

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Elise Sundberg

Primary II Teacher

As a teacher in our primary II program, Elise’s role involves teaching the kindergarten aged students to listen and speak while having fun in the classroom!

Kim Tasharski

Kim Tasharski

DT/H, Early Intervention Lead Therapist

As a Developmental Therapist-Hearing Specialist, Kim provides home-based and center-based Aural Rehabilitation services to children (birth to age 3) and families through Early Intervention.

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Olivia Wealton

M.S., Primary II Lead Teacher

Olivia began her career at Child's Voice in 2008. She holds a bachelor's degree in deaf education from Illinois State University as well as a master's degree in reading and literacy and is a certified Reading Specialist.

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Emma Weiner

Teaching Assistant

Emma is a Teaching Assistant in the School Program.

Katherine Wong

Katherine Wong

Primary II Teacher

Katherine is a kindergarten teacher of the deaf for our primary II program.