1920 Slabtown Road, Lima, OH 45801 Phone: 419-222-1836 Fax: 419-224-0718

Administration

Superintendent, Craig Kupferberg

Craig Kupferberg assumed the position of Superintendent of the Allen County Educational Service Center on August 1, 2018. Prior to this position he served as the Assistant Superintendent for Findlay City Schools for six years, Findlay High School’s Principal for eight years, Cory-Rawson’s High School Principal for nine years, and as a Mathematics Teacher at Lancaster High School for five years and Kings Mills High School for one year. Mr. Kupferberg earned his Bachelor’s of Science from Illinois State University, his master’s in educational administration from the University of Cincinnati, his initial principal’s license from The Ohio University, and his superintendent’s license from the University of Findlay. Mr. Kupferberg is married to Becky who is an Adjunct Professor of English at The University of Findlay. They have three adult sons, the oldest working in business in Columbus, Ohio; the middle a Lieutenant in the Army serving as an Explosive Ordinance Disposal Officer; and the youngest a Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Cincinnati.

Karla Wireman, Treasurer

Mrs. Wireman is a licensed Treasurer with the State of Ohio. Her role as treasurer is to serve as Financial Officer and Secretary to the Allen County Educational Service Center Governing Board. Mrs. Wireman has been employed with the district since 1984.

Shannon Bowers, Director of Gifted Program/K-8 Curriculum

Shannon Bowers is the Director of Gifted Programming and K-8 Curriculum. Shannon earned her Undergraduate degree from Miami University and has completed Graduate level coursework at Bowling Green State University and the University of Cincinnati studying Gifted Education. Shannon is a Gifted Intervention Specialist and has taught at several schools in Allen County. Shannon looks forward to coordinating the Allen County Spelling Bee and Quiz Bowl this year. Shannon’s most recent teaching assignments were at Shawnee Middle School, Maplewood Intermediate and Perry Elementary providing gifted services to third through sixth grade students. Prior to that, Shannon taught second grade at Liberty Arts Magnet for four years and third and fourth grade at Maplewood for three years. Shannon has worked as a teacher at Camp Invention, has coached the Power of the Pen writing competition and Science Olympiad. Shannon is married to Jason and they have three teenage daughters. As a family they enjoy traveling to Northern Michigan, going to watch the Cincinnati Reds and cheering on the Ohio State Buckeyes!

Kim Nellis, Director of Special Education Services

Kim Nellis is the Multiple Disabilities and Great Day Academy (Autism) Special Education Director as well as the supervisor of related services (speech/language therapists, school psychologists, transition coordinators). She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Purdue University in Speech/Language Pathology and Masters of Arts degree from Wright State in Educational Administration (Supervisor and Principal Licensure). Prior to her employment with Allen County ESC, she was Executive Director/Principal of LifeLinks Community School in Van Wert, Ohio. She also was the Director of Special Education for Mercer County ESC for ten years. Prior to moving to Mercer County she functioned as a Speech/Language Pathologist for ten years. Kim has presented at many state and national conferences in the area of special education and has served as an adjunct professor for Miami University and Ohio State Lima.

Nikki Rettig, Director of ED/Alternative and JDC Programs

Nikki is the Director of the Pathway to Success Alternative School Program as well as overseeing the education at the Allen County Juvenile Detention Center. Nikki's main goal is to help students who typically struggle in a traditional academic setting gain self- confidence, academic independence, and the skills for self-advocacy. Nikki obtained her Bachelor's Degree from Bluffton University, focusing on the field of Special Education, holding a K-12 Intervention Specialist license. Nikki then acquired her Master's Degree from the University of Cincinnati in the area of Educational Leadership and is a licensed Principal and credentialed OTES evaluator. Nikki's teaching experience include having taught as an Intervention Specialist in a resource room setting, as well as a self-contained classroom for students who struggled academically and social-emotionally with behavioral challenges. She then worked as a Special Education Coordinator for Apollo Career Center, before accepting the position as Director of the Pathway to Success Program at Allen County ESC. Nikki loves what she does and is grateful for the opportunity to work with such amazing students, parents, and a staff who is committed to serving our youth. Nikki has an open door policy and welcomes feedback from our parents and community partners.

Amy Recker, Director of Preschool

Amy Recker presently is the Preschool Special Education Director and Supervisor of Related Services consisting of Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists and Preschool Speech Therapists. Mrs. Recker earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education grades K-8 from The Ohio State University, Preschool and Early Education for the Handicapped Certification from Bluffton University and a Master of Educational Administration and Principal Licensure grades K-6 from the University of Dayton. Amy has provided 26 years of service at the Allen County ESC. In the past, she supervised the preschool for 14 years, Great Day Academy 7 years and served as a preschool intervention specialist for 12 years. Having a son with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), she has a deep passion for working in partnership with families with children with disabilities. Amy works closely with other early childhood programs and organizations throughout Allen County and serves on several early childhood committees. She enjoys vacationing with family and friends, playing golf, singing and binge watching movies and TV shows. Amy is married to Ross and has two sons, Evan and Conner, and a rambunctious dog named Cooper.

Mindy Schulz, Executive Director

With more than 25 years of diverse educational experience, from the classroom to leadership to consulting, Mindy serves as Superintendent of the West Central Learning Academy, and Executive Director at the ACESC leading all evaluation related initiatives and facilitating professional development. Mindy has been selected by the Ohio Department of Education as a state trainer for the Ohio Teacher Evaluation System (OTES), the Ohio Principal Evaluation System (OPES), the Ohio School Counselor Evaluation System (OSCES), and the electronic Teacher and Principal Evaluation System (eTPES). Mindy has presented numerous times at statewide conferences, and worked with educators across the state to implement various legislative mandates. She has also served as a classroom teacher, principal, curriculum director, and graduate level adjunct instructor. Feel free to contact Mindy for professional development and consultative services. Customized training is available.