Meet the 2020-2021 SANDCASP Board!
President: Kathy Pawlukiewicz
Kathy is in her 10th year as a school psychologist within the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District and this is her fourth year serving on the SANDCASP Board. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences in Psychology from San Diego State University. She then received her Master of Science in School Psychology from National University. Her professional interests are Autism Spectrum Disorders as well as helping to build Response to Intervention (RtI) structures at her school sites. Additionally, Kathy serves on the Leadership Team in her district, a staff lead group designed to create a continuous collaborative culture that strengthens supports, and values all staff to undeniably ensure that each and every student learns. She also became a part of the Pattern of Strengths and Weaknesses Leadership Academy in March 2019.
Kathy was born in Poland and came to the United States when she was 5 years old. She speaks Polish and so does her husband. In her spare time, she enjoys anything outdoors, which includes running, hiking, taking her dog for a walk, and going to the beach or pool.
Past President: Cheyenne Sanford
Cheyenne is originally from Florida, where she resided until high school, then moved to Texas. She landed herself in San Diego after enlisting in the U.S. Navy where she served for 4 ½ years. Once in San Diego, she just could not leave! Cheyenne earned her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, working as an office manager and bookkeeper for 5 years. After shift in career paths, she received her Master of Science degree in School Psychology from National University. Cheyenne is in her eighth year as a School Psychologist and works in the Cajon Valley Union School District. Her professional interests are Patterns of Strengths and Weaknesses, social-emotional functioning, and inclusion.
Cheyenne has a daughter, who is a junior in high school, and two dogs. In her spare time, Cheyenne enjoys being active, reading, and listening to live music. This is Cheyenne’s sixth year serving on the SANDCASP Board.
President Elect: Dorothy Guinter
Dorothy Guinter is currently working as a School Psychologist with the San Dieguito Union High School District (SDUHSD). She has been with SDUHSD since the 2007-2008 school year! For the upcoming school year, Dorothy has been given the opportunity to help develop and support the Seaside Program, which serves students who predominantly struggle with mental health problems and require extensive social-emotional supports. Dorothy graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Arizona and has a Master of Science in School Psychology from National University. Dorothy has worked with children for over 20 years in a variety of different settings. Her most recent professional interests include mental health problems in adolescents, dyslexia, and research-based interventions. This is Dorothy’s third year serving on the SANDCASP Board.
Dorothy was born in Poland and migrated with her family to the United States in 1986. She lives with her husband, son (Journey, age 9), and daughter (Brighton, age 6). She has recently fallen in love with her four backyard chickens! For hobbies, she enjoys attending live music events, the outdoors, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Secretary: Linda Breslin
Linda is currently a school psychologist at Innovations Academy Charter School. She was born and raised in the Netherlands before she moved to the United States with her family as a teenager. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Criminology and Criminal Justice with a Minor in Spanish Language and Cultures from the University of Maryland, College Park. Linda completed her graduate education at the College of William & Mary, where she earned Master of Education and Educational Specialist degrees in School Psychology. In 2015, she concluded her internship in Prince George's County, Maryland. She then moved to San Diego, where she began her career as a school psychologist.
Treasurer: Rodrigo Enciso
Rodrigo is a bilingual school psychologist with the San Diego Unified School District. Rodrigo has over 10 years of experience in the field of special education. He graduated with Distinction in Psychology from San Diego State University and obtained his Master’s degree in Educational Psychology at Alliant International University. He has participated in the development and standardization of cognitive assessment tools as a field examiner, has presented to school psychologist groups on contemporary SLD and dyslexia assessment practices, and authored and co-authored articles and papers within the field. Rodrigo has served within the CASP Board of Directors as Assessment Specialist, Region Representative, and Membership Chair. He has also served as the 2015-2016 President for the San Diego County Association of School Psychologists (SANDCASP).
Rodrigo and his wife recently welcomed their 4th child to their family. Besides spending time with his family, he enjoys growing his mind and skill set through learning opportunities, sneaking out at 6am on Saturday mornings to play basketball, and has gained a new found gift of laying down hardwood flooring.
Board Member-At-Large: Adrienne Garcia
Adrienne is a 6th year school psychologist with the Santee School District. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from San Diego State University and a Master of Arts in School Psychology from Alliant International University. Some of her professional interests include behavior intervention, crisis prevention and response, and mental health education and outreach. She has been involved with SANDCASP since 2011.
Adrienne lives with her husband and a pet turtle named Fred. She also has two chihuahuas named Mister Chips and Cheech. As a San Diego native, she enjoys spending time at the beach and frequenting Balboa Park. She is also a Beatles fanatic and definitely knows her way around ANY kitchen.
Board Member-At-Large: Ann Mellon
Ann Mellon is a recent graduate of Alliant International University where she earned her Master of Arts in Education and School Psychology, after obtaining her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from San Diego State University. She worked as a Professional Expert for the San Diego Unified School District at Sandburg Elementary School for several years teaching a film-production class focusing on positive life skills. Ann’s professional interests include crisis intervention and prevention, especially within at-risk student populations. Her personal passions gravitate toward the creative and visual arts. She appreciates good humor, positive attitudes, and making memories with family and friends.
Board Member-At-Large: Debra Lawler
Debra is in her 21st year as a school psychologist in the San Dieguito Union High School District. She received her Bachelor of Science in Education from Southern Illinois University - Carbondale. She then received her Master of Science in School Psychology from National University and her Doctorate of Psychology in Educational Psychology from Alliant International University. Her professional interests include strength based interventions, student advocacy, and trauma informed practices.
Debra was born and raised in Spokane, Washington. She enjoys cooking reading, country music, the Green Bay Packers, and spending time with her friends. She is also a dog mom to her 8 year old morkie, Dakota.
Board Member-at-Large: Heather Lutz
Heather is a native San Diegan having attended public schools in SDUSD from kindergarten through high school (in fact Heather’s children are third generation Point Loma High School graduates). Heather attended San Diego State University where she concentrated on her passion of film receiving her Bachelor’s in Telecommunication and Film. After college, Heather moved to Washington DC where she worked at ABC News. It was at this time she realized that it was not the news she enjoyed but the stories of the challenges people faced and overcame that resonated with her. Heather moved back home to San Diego and worked in social services for nine years during which time she earned her Master’s in Counseling Psychology at National University. Heather also attained her Marriage and Family Therapist license, worked in private practice and became a divorce mediator during which time she found working with children was her heart’s desire. Heather has been a School Psychologist for the past 20 years. Her professional interests are in the areas of school-based mental health services, trauma informed practices and student advocacy.
Heather has been married for 35 years, has two grown children, and loves the community in which she lives. For fun, she likes to read, go to the movies, dance, travel and hang out with her family and friends.
Board Member-at-Large: Janet Coover
Janet is in her 31st year with the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District. Her first 20 years in the district were spent as a school counselor at both the elementary and middle school levels. She then moved into a school psychologist position and began working with the Behavior Focused Special Day Classes. Janet currently works full time at Fletcher Hills Elementary School with the Behavior Class, as well as doing assessments for the whole school! She loves her job even though it can be overwhelming and she strongly believes in advocating for her profession. In her free time, she enjoys swimming and spending time with her family.
Board Member-at-Large: Jennifer Dowlan Steen
This is Jenny's first year on the SANDCASP Board. She is currently working as a School Psychologist in the Carlsbad Unified School District. Jenny graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of San Francisco. She also earned a Masters in Counseling and Education Specialist degree in School Psychology from San Diego State University. In addition, Jenny has a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) credential. Her professional interests include behavior analysis, mental health advocacy, and strength-based interventions.
Jenny lives with her husband and two daughters/cats named Moo Moo and Maisie. In her spare time, she enjoys dancing, backpacking, watching horror movies, and napping with her cats.
Board Member-at-Large: Kylie Miller
Kylie is entering her 2nd year as a practicing school psychologist in San Diego, California. Kylie currently works for Pacific Coast Academy, an online charter school. Kylie graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of California San Diego and a Masters of Arts in School Psychology from Alliant International University. Kylie’s special interests include social justice in education, mental health, and community engagement. This is Kylie’s first year on the SANDCASP Board.
Kylie currently lives with her dog, Rylo, in the University Heights neighborhood of San Diego. Kylie enjoys spending time outside exploring the natural world through climbing, hiking, camping, and running. Kylie is an avid reader of fiction and is always up for a long read in a local park!
Board Member-at-Large: Robin Pollock
Robin was born in California, where she received her Bachelor of Arts at UC Riverside and Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Arts at UC Irvine. She moved to a small town in South Texas, earned a teaching credential in Special Education, and then taught 7th and 8th grade resource classes for 5 years. She earned her Master of Science in Counseling from Texas A&M, Corpus Christi, and was a Special Education Counselor. She later earned a Master of Science in School Psychology from Texas A&M, Commerce, and continued working as a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology until she moved back to California in 2013. She has worked as a School Psychologist for Julian Charter School where she is now a Program Specialist. She has worked as a School Psychologist for Julian Charter School where she is now a Program Specialist.
CASP Affiliate Representative: Kristin Singh
Kristin Singh was born and raised in Hawaii and remains an island girl at heart. She moved to California after high school to attend the University of California, Irvine, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Social Behavior. She later earned her Master of Arts in Psychology from Humboldt State University, with an emphasis in School Psychology.
Kristin worked as a school psychologist in San Diego County for 13 years before embarking on a new career challenge as the Associate Director of Special Education for High Tech High Charter Schools. Kristin is also a Licensed Educational Psychologist and maintains a small part-time practice. Additionally, she is currently the CASP Region VII Representative.
Kristin lives with her husband, daughter, and dog, in San Diego, CA. While away from work, Kristin enjoys dancing at live music concerts, watching her husband perform stand-up comedy, exploring San Diego with her daughter, and spending quality time at home with the whole family.