Faculty Bios

George Abbott - Dean of Educational Programs and Instruction

Susan Fisher
Don Golembiewski
Donna Hernandez
Ginger Irwin
Nafisa Keels
Judy Matsuoka
Sue Melrose
Amy Salmon
Debbie Siegel
Linn Sorge
Naomi Tuttle
Pam Winters
Debbie Worman

Susan Fisher

Courses: “Abacus 1” and “Abacus 2”

Bachelor’s Degree, Special Education/Elementary Education (Visually Handicapped Certification),
Northern Illinois University

“I joined the Hadley team in 1981 and teach three braille courses, as well as our two abacus courses. I have taught visually impaired people at all levels, both resource and itinerant. In my spare time, I enjoy exercising, reading, attending movies and plays and spending time with my family. My two latest adventures have been learning to play tennis and delivering Meals on Wheels.”

Don Golembiewski

email: don@hadley.edu

Courses: “Blindness Basics,” “Glaucoma,” “Self-Help Groups: An Introduction,” “Self-Help Groups: Advanced Topics,” and "Macular Degeneration"

Bachelor’s Degree, Anthropology and Sociology, Western Michigan University
Master’s Degree, Rehabilitation Teaching, Western Michigan University

“I taught blind adults in Wisconsin for nine years and served as the coordinator of Independent Living for Older Blind Individuals for the state of Wisconsin for 13 years. I have worked full-time for Hadley since March 2001 and enjoy it thoroughly. During my free time, I enjoy the outdoors, especially wilderness areas. My favorite hobbies include fly-fishing for trout, canoeing and, when I can't be outside, woodworking.”

Donna Hernandez

email: donna@hadley.edu

Courses: “Introduction to Braille,” “Contracted Braille” and “The Human Eye”

Bachelor's Degree in Special Education, certified in the areas of visually impaired, Illinois State University
Bachelor's Degree, Elementary Education, Illinois State University
Certification in the areas of learning disabilities, emotional disorders, behavior disorders, Northern Illinois University
Certification in teaching those with cognitive disabilities

“For more than 32 years, I taught visually impaired students in a resource program for the Illinois public school system. In 2003, I became a Hadley instructor. My personal interests include my family (husband, son, two dogs and three cats), cross-stitching, golf and directing the children's choir at my church.”

Ginger Irwin

email: ginger@hadley.edu

Courses: “Finding Your Way”

Bachelor's and Master's Degrees, George Peabody College for Teachers
Master's of Science Degree, Orientation and Mobility, Northern Illinois University

"I have been in the vision field since the early 1980s. I was a P.E. teacher and later Director of Residential Services at a state school for the blind. I have coached swimming and other sports since 1980. Currently, I work full time as an Orientation and Mobility Specialist for a Special Education Co-op in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. I have been a part-time instructor for Hadley since 1995, and I have thoroughly enjoyed working with my students."

Nafisa Keels

email: nafisa@hadley.edu

Courses: “Introduction to Braille” and “Contracted Braille”

Bachelor’s Degree, Psychology, North Carolina State University
Master’s Degree, Teaching the Blind and Visually Impaired, North Carolina State University

“I have taught in state school settings and as an itinerant for private and public agencies. I’ve had the pleasure of living and teaching in four states. My personal hobbies include skiing, ice skating, horseback riding and, when I can get away to the Florida Keys, I enjoy SCUBA diving and dolphin research and training.”

Judy Matsuoka

email: judy@hadley.edu

Courses: "Introduction to Braille" and "Contracted Braille"

Braille Transcriber Certification, National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress, Washington D.C.
Bachelor’s degree, Special Education of the Blind and Visually Impaired/Elementary Education, Northern Illinois University
Master’s degree, Rehabilitation Teaching of the Blind and Special Education of the Multiply Impaired, Northern Illinois University

"I’ve been an itinerant special education teacher, a rehabilitation teacher and a university instructor. For the 10 years prior to joining Hadley’s staff, I was the director of a non-profit organization where I wrote grants and worked on civil rights and social justice issues. I am happy to return to teaching and to work with Hadley students."

Sue Melrose

email: sue@hadley.edu

Courses: “Introduction to Braille,” “Contracted Braille” and “Early Independence”

Bachelor's Degree, Psychology, Stanford University
Master's Degree, Early Childhood Education, Stanford University

“Because I took a course through Hadley as a teenager, it was fun to come back and work here. I began working in the Computer Services Department, but I wanted to get back to my background in early childhood education.”

Amy Salmon

email: amy@hadley.edu

Courses: “Access Technology Beginnings”

Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass
Communications/Journalism,
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Master's Degree in Rehabilitation Teaching Adult Blind,
Northern Illinois University

“After working for over a decade in public relations and advertising, I began working with individuals who are blind or visually impaired in 1997. I spent the next several years developing and teaching courses on the use of computers and access technology for individuals who are blind or visually impaired for the AFB, Veteran’s Affairs Department and as a private consultant. As a member of the Hadley team, I get to combine my two passions – teaching and technology – every day. I enjoy reading, swimming and tandem bicycle riding. I also have two young children who keep me busy and young at heart."

Debbie Siegel

email: debra@hadley.edu

Courses: “Abacus 1,” “Abacus 2” and “Introduction to Braille”

Bachelor’s Degree, Preschool–Primary Education/Psychology, Washington University of St. Louis
Master’s Degree, Special Education–Visually Impaired, Michigan State University

"I have enjoyed being a Hadley Instructor since 1987. During my tenure, I have been privileged to observe the growth of the school, especially in the family education and professional programs. My three children, two daughters and a son, keep me hopping. During my spare time, I like to read, bake and sew quilts."

Linn Sorge

email: linn@hadley.edu

Courses: “Social Skills Series”

Bachelor’s Degree, Music Education, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Master’s Degree, Special Education, Northern Illinois University

“I worked for 20 years at Northern Illinois University and now have returned to teaching one-on-one at a distance education school. I hope to help students learn and grow."

Naomi Tuttle

email: naomi@hadley.edu

Courses: “Diabetes: Toward Self Management,” “The Human Eye” and “Self-Esteem and Adjusting with Blindness”

Bachelor’s Degree, Nursing, Cornell University

“I have been a Hadley instructor since 1991, with prior experience as a staff nurse, braille transcriber and librarian. I have co-authored several chapters on the topic of blindness and designed a couple of Hadley courses. I was born in Africa, and my husband and I have three sons and five grandchildren.”

Pam Winters

email: pam@hadley.edu

Courses: “Basic Nemeth Code”

Bachelor's Degree, Special Education for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Illinois State University
Master's Degree, Teaching and Leadership, Saint Xavier University

“I have worked in the field of blindness and visual impairment since 1983. In addition to my position with Hadley, I teach full-time in an elementary resource room for the visually impaired. In my free time I enjoy making scrapbooks, cross-stitching and participating in community theater. I have two teenage boys who also keep me very busy.”

Debbie Worman

email: debbie@hadley.edu

Courses: “Learning Through Play”

Bachelor’s Degree, Human Services, National-Louis University
Master’s Degree, Human Services Counseling, National-Louis University

“I have been a Hadley faculty member since 1988. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and have worked with senior citizens, foster care families and teen mothers. It is great working with diverse families.”