Leaders
Our volunteer team of organizing leaders work tirelessly to advocate for positive change in our district. We make up the SSP & SpEd Organizing Leaders Committee of the Denver Classroom Teachers Association, charged with building SSP & SpEd unity, power, and voice for advocacy and representation within DPS and DCTA, as well as advising the bargaining team regarding contract language relevant to the groups we represent.
DCTA Board of Directors
Robert Armagost, Secondary Special Educator - Sector C (2020-2022)
Amy DeFusco, Early Childhood Special Educator - Sector B (2021-2023)
Michelle Horwitz, Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) - Itinerant Sector (2020-2022)
Amy Kalinchuk, Secondary Special Educator - Sector D (2021-2023)
Katherine Kopp, Secondary Special Educator - Sector B (2021-2023)
Emily Wytiaz, Educational Sign Language Interpreter (ESLI) - Itinerant Sector (2021-2023)
DCTA Representatives (2021-22)
Early Childhood Special Educators (ECSE):
Sarah FosterItinerant Gifted & Talented Teachers (G/T):
Janet DraperItinerant Special Educators:
Justin KirklandLow Incidence Disability (LID) Team:
Emily Wytiaz (ESLI)Nurses:
Merri Hoffman, Stacia McNeelyOccupational Therapists (OT) & Physical Therapists (PT):
Susan Fortney, Sharon Lee (OTs)Psychologists/Social Workers:
Kelly Holmes (primary), Cassie Johnson, Jane Lineman, Shannon McKinney (School Psychologists)School Counselors:
Jillian GleasonSpeech-Language Pathologist (SLP) Team:
Hannah Shippey, Morgan Jameson, Amanda Reed, Amanda Lisman, Hope MellingerTOSA/Peer Observer/Balarat:
Rob Gould
DCTA Bargaining Team (2021-22)
Rob Gould, Special Educator - DCTA President
Jane Lineman, School Psychologist - Student Safety Coordinator
Amanda Lisman, Speech-Language Pathologist - Elementary
Michelle Horwitz, Speech-Language Pathologist - Bilingual Assessment Team
Ellen Petrila, Special Educator - Affective Needs Center-Based Program
Hillary Daniels, Special Educator - Elementary Mild/Moderate Needs
Lisa McDonald, Special Educator - Secondary Mild/Moderate Needs
Amy DeFusco, Special Educator - Early Childhood Education (Model 1)