President: Sean McCormick
Sean is the Director of On-Campus Education at the Washington State School for the Blind (WSSB). His path in education includes serving as a Paraprofessional, Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments, an Orientation & Mobility Instructor, Associate Principal, and Principal. In his current role, Sean oversees the educational programs held at WSSB’s campus through both day and residential opportunities for students. Sean is an active member of WA’s Special Education Advisory Council, Washington Unified English Braille Committee, and the Council of Schools and Services for the Blind’s Principal’s subgroup.
*Please contact Sean with any questions or concerns regarding AER Membership or the Pacific Northwest AER Chapter- pnwaerbvi@gmail.com
President-Elect: Garrett Whitmyre
Garrett is a TVI/COMS from Tacoma Public Schools. He’s a graduate of Pacific Lutheran University (BA in English), and the University of Washington (M.Ed. in Early Childhood Special Education), and received his TVI/O&M certifications from Portland State University. He immensely enjoys teaching all ages and life-long learning. Garrett and his wife, Lexi, live in the West End of Tacoma and love to walk to destinations looking over Puget Sound with their daughter, Sylvia. He’s looking forward to this new professional adventure and continuing to be a part of this inclusive culture!
Past-President: Stacey Gibbins
Stacey is the Vice President of Programs & Services for Northwest Association for Blind Athletes (NWABA). Her work provides life-changing opportunities through sports and physical activity for individuals who are blind and visually impaired. Stacey believes that “if you have a body, you are an athlete” and that every person has a right to access physical activity and recreation.
Secretary: Summer Beasley
Summer Beasley is a TSVI and COMS for the Olympic Educational Services District 114 based in Bremerton, WA who is celebrating 15 years in the field in 2023. Prior to this role with the OESD 114 she was a COMS for the Western Blind Rehabilitation Center at the VA Hospital in Palo Alto, CA. Summer completed her graduate degree for Special Education/O&M through San Francisco State University and her course work for her TSVI at Stephen F. Austin University as a part of the first cohort group through the WA State Grant Program. She has previously been the president and membership chair of the California Association of Orientation and Mobility Specialists, volunteered as a teaching assistant for the SFSU O&M Graduate Program, participated in conference planning for CAOMS and IOMOS, and presented at AER conferences. Summer loves teaching and learning from her students, collaborating with teams and families, and seeking out inspiration and ideas to bring into her work. She is excited to be a part of the PNWAER Board to be of support to the field in Washington State and beyond.
Treasurer: Rebecca Cervantez-Foley
Rebecca currently lives in Puyallup, Washington where she works for the Puyallup School District. Rebecca is entering her 10th year as a COMS and her 5th year as a TSVI. Rebecca also works as a university supervisor for Portland State University and has taught the advanced cane skills class since the program began. Rebecca obtained her Master’s in Special Education, and completed the O&M program, at Texas Tech University.
Member-at-Large: Aimee Bloom
Aimee is a TSVI/COMS for the Olympic ESD 114 for the past 3 years. She graduated from Heritage University in 2018 with a BA in Elementary Education and Portland State University in 2020 with MS in Special Education (VIL). She continued at Portland State University for Orientation and Mobility and has been a COMS since 2021. Aimee enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She has two adult sons and one grandson.
Member-at-Large: Linda McFall
Linda is currently a Teacher for the Visually Impaired and Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist with the Richland School District in Eastern Washington. For the last 8 years, she has served K-12 students and Birth-to-3 families for the Kennewick School District. She is a graduate of the PSU Visually Impaired Learner program in 2013 and the 1st Cohort of the PSU Orientation & Mobility program in 2019. Linda is dedicated not only to her students and families but to the support of strong relationships among vision professionals in our field as it takes a big village to do great things!
Member-at-Large: Melina Murray
Melina Murray is a Certified O&M Specialist who works for Shoreline and Northshore School Districts in North Seattle. She joined AER in 2001 after completing her Masters of Education specializing in Orientation and Mobility at UMASS Boston. She moved to Washington state in 2012. Melina is a wife, mother, furry-wonder-mother, daughter, sister, cousin, colleague, and friend. Melina is passionate about collaboration and working together as a team to support our amazing students.