About me
"Erica Paulsen is a Transition Specialist at TrueNorth Educational Cooperative District 804. She supports teams, families, and students with extensive support to meet their post-secondary goals as outlined in their IEP Transition Plan. Erica supports students and families connecting with adult agencies to obtain the support needed for success after graduating from high school and supports students in their exploration of college and career pathways. She has presented at conferences such as the Illinois Center for Transition and Work Symposium, VRTAC-QE Symposium, and Division on Career Development and Transition (DCDT) International Conference related to Transition Planning processes and Career and Technical Education. Previously, she served as a high school and Transition level teacher and has worked at the district for 12 years. When not taking classes or attending PD to further her lifelong learning goals, Erica enjoys pulling an all-nighter to complete complicated jigsaw puzzles.
Jan Garcia is currently a Workforce Development Specialist at TrueNorth Educational Cooperative District 804 in Highland Park, IL. She supports students with extensive support needs from Junior High through Transition to learn workplace readiness skills, participate in work experiences, and coordinate with school and family teams to support students in paid employment. Jan is an expert who has spent 30+ years working in hospitality management and came into the education field because she hosted students in job training at her place of employment. Jan pulls from her extensive experience in the workforce to connect with potential employers to provide work experiences for students with extensive support needs in a real-world setting. Jan loves a spreadsheet, and is a Google Sheets pro! In her free time, Jan enjoys going to Zumba classes and spending time with her grandsons.
Katie Trier is a dedicated Learning Coordinator at TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804 in Highland Park, IL. In her administrative role, she supports the vocational department and Transition Program, helping students navigate their educational and career pathways. Katie has spent 12 years teaching in classrooms across elementary, middle, and high school levels, fostering inclusive learning environments tailored to the unique needs of each student.
Katie is a passionate advocate for education and has shared her expertise at several prominent conferences, including the Illinois Center for Transition and Work Symposium, the national TASH conference, the VRTAC-QE Symposium, and a NextUp For Teachers event. Her presentations focus on empowering educators and enhancing programs that support student independence and their transitions from school to work. In her free time, she loves spending time with her sassy 4.5 year old daughter and drooly 5 month old son.
Erin McMorrow is a Vocational Educator at TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804, supporting students ages 18-22 in achieving successful employment outcomes as part of their Transition Plans. She coordinates vocational programs that prepare students for careers, volunteer opportunities, or trades, working closely with students, staff, and industry partners to meet workforce needs. With 17 years of experience and a Master’s in Differentiated Instruction, Erin is passionate about guiding students in their career paths. She was featured on Good Morning America during the pandemic, sharing insights on remote learning and the challenges faced by educators. A die-hard Minnesota Vikings fan despite living in Illinois, Erin enjoys cheering for her team year-round. She resides in Lake Zurich, Illinois, with her husband, 7-year-old daughter, and two dogs.
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