Meet Our Consultants

Robin Rettie, M.Ed., Special Education, began working in her beloved field of supporting individuals with differing abilities in 1976, at Wood Lane Residential Services and Sheltered Workshop in Bowling Green, Ohio. She has taught in public and private school settings.

Robin is the sister to Laurie Lorraine Rettie (LLR) whose life inspired her to begin Lighthouse Learning Resources (LLR) in 2011.

Brenda Nelson, M.S, earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and music from Texas Tech and more recently her master’s degree from Texas A&M in Educational Human Resource Development with an emphasis on Adult Education. She began her career in education as an elementary music teacher, but soon found herself immersed in the world of special education when her youngest son was diagnosed on the autism spectrum. For the past 20+ years, her passion has been helping parents understand and navigate the special education process.

Kathy Odom is a retired elementary school administrator with over 20 years of leadership experience. She holds a Master’s in Special Education and certifications as a Texas Educational Diagnostician and Principal. With a background that includes roles as Assistant Principal, ARD Facilitator, Diagnostician, and teacher, Kathy is known for her collaborative approach and unwavering commitment to doing what’s best for kids.

Lindsay O'Leary holds a Master’s degree in Education Leadership and is a former special education teacher and elementary school administrator. With expertise in curriculum standards, special education, and Texas Education Codes, she is deeply committed to helping children succeed. A proud mother of two young children, Lindsay understands parents’ concerns firsthand and builds strong, trusting relationships with the families she supports.

Lindsey Volney is an experienced education professional with a passion for supporting students and strengthening the connection between families and schools. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas A&M University and her Master’s degree in Educational Management from University of Houston-Clear Lake.

Lindsey has served in a variety of roles throughout her career, including classroom teacher, instructional coordinator, and assistant principal. She has worked across diverse school settings, from affluent campuses to Title I schools, giving her a well-rounded perspective on the unique needs of students, families, and educators.

Lori Irvine is a dedicated special education professional whose 4-decade career began with a double major in special and elementary education from Sioux Falls College. Early exposure to behavior modification techniques at the Teacher’s College NYC shaped her classroom strategies and interventions, while the TEACCH Autism Program from the North Carolina University training established the foundation she implemented for her structured teaching approach. She earned a master’s in educational psychology with an emphasis in Autism from Texas A&M University in 2009, applying her learning directly to her LIFE Skills classroom. Her strengths lie in fostering communication, establishing tailored student schedules, using visual aids, and integrating individualized sensory tools to navigate each student’s unique learning profile.

Paula Evans holds a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Tulsa along with a teaching certificate in ‘generic special education’. She has also obtained TEA certification in Principalship, ESL (English as a Second Language), and GT (Gifted and Talented). She has over 35 years of educational experience while working as a Speech-Language Pathologist, Educational Diagnostician, and a Parent Trainer. She was a former board member on the Greater Houston Disability Chamber of Commerce and chaired their College Inclusion Conference for three years.

Susan Sheeran is a former public Special Education teacher who took on the role of ARD Facilitator. She is gracious when negotiating, but keen in thought. Susan's ability to disagree comes with a research-supported alternative plan. She makes advocating look easy. She loves supporting children and in her downtime, she spends time with her grandchildren.

Tara Voss began her career in Special Education in California before coming to Texas in 2019. She has over 20 years of experience in Special Education ranging from teaching, case managing and ARD Facilitating. She holds a Masters Degree in Special Education and continues to maintain her TX Special Education teaching certification. Tara has 4 children, one of whom was on a IEP from elementary school through High School. Whether in the classroom, in an ARD meeting or supporting her own child, Tara is passionate about the inclusion of Special Education students and seeing their needs met in the educational setting. She has a strong understanding of the ARD process and parent’s rights and is excited to support and share her knowledge with families.

Dr. Theresa Cortney has over 27 years of experience as a special education teacher, vocational coordinator, transition coordinator, and Region 4 Education Specialist II for Transition Planning. Dr. Cortney has earned recognition for her work with the Texas Workforce Commission along with developing employment and post-secondary opportunities for students with disabilities in two school districts in the Houston Area. In her prior position with the Region 4 Education Service Center, Dr. Cortney provided
technical support and training to school staff in the areas of post-secondary transition planning, graduation requirements, and 18+ programs for students with disabilities. While at Region 4, Dr. Cortney served students and families in more than 90 School Districts/Charters. Understanding the world of work and education creates a well-rounded expertise for Dr. Cortney to help students with disabilities and their families by providing assistance to develop a Postsecondary Transition plan that is both attainable and sustainable after the student exits public education.