2023-2024 Virginia AER Board
Mary Kate Harris
President
Mary Kate Harris has been a teacher of students with visual impairments in Fairfax County Public Schools for 13 years. After spending 10 years working in a resource room for middle and high school students, she is back to the itinerant world this year. Her professional interests include adapting STEM subjects, especially higher level math. She has previously served as a Virginia AER Treasurer, President-Elect and is excited to continue on the board this year as President.
Sarah Franz
President-Elect
Sarah graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with B.S. of Science in Rehabilitation, focusing on Orientation & Mobility and special education. Leaving Texas, she moved to Virginia for an internship and is currently finishing up her M.Ed at George Mason University in special education with a concentration in vision impairments and autism. Sarah works at the Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired in Richmond Virginia as a COMS. Sarah also works as an Early Intervention Professional around the Richmond area. Previously, she has worked as an independent contractor for Allied Instructional Services servicing many parts of Virginia and has served as the Program Director of Texas Lions Camp. Sarah also serves on the planning committee for the International Orientation & Mobility Symposium. Outside all things cane travel, Sarah is a huge reader, always has a true-crime documentary on, and has never met a margarita she didn't like.
Julienne B. Parker
Immediate Past President
Julienne graduated from Vanderbilt University/Peabody College in 1990 with a B.S. in special education (vision impairments) and secondary education (history). She also received a M.Ed. in special education (learning disabilities) from Vanderbilt/Peabody College in 1991. She completed a certificate of advanced study in orientation and mobility from the University of Pittsburgh in 2014 and is a certified O&M specialist with ACVREP. She has 32 years of experience as a teacher of the visually impaired and 7 as an orientation and mobility specialist. Julienne has served on Virginia's Standards of Learning Special Forms Committee as well as panelist for the Virginia Praxis Braille Standards Setting Committee. She has served as a contributor to the VDOE "Guidelines for Working With Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired In Virginia Public Schools." In her free time, she enjoys playing piano and flute in her church and with community organizations.
Robin Hoerber
Secretary
A graduate of East Carolina University in 1978, Robin Hoerber obtained her Masters Degree in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling. She has worked with DBVI as a volunteer since 1990 until obtaining a rehabilitation teacher position fifteen years ago. About to retire, she is involved in community activities and with her church. Choirs, baking, hiking, and reading are among her hobbies, with her favorites being service to others and enjoying times with family!
Beth Sheerin
Treasurer
Elizabeth has been working for Fairfax County Public Schools for 8 years as a Teacher of the Visually Impaired. Previously she taught as a Special Education teacher for 12 years. She received a masters from George Mason University. Elizabeth has two children, Sean and Meghan. She enjoys exercise, yoga and traveling with her partner Dan. Elizabeth is looking forward to being a part of the AER team as their Treasurer.
Johannah Echevarria
Member-at-Large
Johannah Echevarria has worked in the field of Blind Rehabilitation since 1999. She has worked in Montana, North Carolina, and Virginia providing services in Orientation and Mobility, Rehabilitation Teaching, and Low Vision Services. She has been an AER member for 20 years. She currently provides rehabilitation teaching and low vision services with the Department for The Blind and Vision Impaired in Roanoke, VA and surrounding areas. She is also a Low Vision Consultant for the Department. This is her first year as an AER Board Member At Large.
Rachel Fehrnstrom
Member-at-Large
Rachel Fehrnstrom, known to some as Hedgie, is a Rehabilitation Teacher in the Roanoke office of the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired. She graduated from Western Michigan University with a degree in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy. Her internship was at the VA in Tucson, AZ. In 2021, Rachel moved from Idaho to Virginia (2,365 miles away!). When in Idaho, Rachel enjoyed working summers for a PreET program with the Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Rachel loves hedgehogs, learning new crafts, and exploring thrift stores.
Meg Walker
Member-at-Large
Meg Walker is a COMS in the Roanoke Region. She is an active member of a Virginia AERBVI and looks forward to helping others be outstanding in our field!
Amy Colaizzi
Member-at-Large