Staff
Carla Miller
Executive Director
Carla Miller, Ed.D.
I joined South Dakota Parent Connection as the Executive Director in August 2016. I have a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Curriculum and Instruction from the University of South Dakota with a focus on Special Education. I have worked as a university instructor teaching upper-level coursework on assessment, Learning Disabilities, classroom management, and behaviors, as an Early Childhood Administrator, an outreach educator, and an educator on evaluation teams. I currently serve on the state’s Part B Interagency Coordinating Council and the South Dakota Board of Services to the Blind and Visually Impaired. I also serve as a representative for Parent Trainings Centers with the National Center for Systemic Improvement serving on the Family Engagement Resource Team, and Stakeholder and Family Engagement Team. I am the parent of two grown sons, one with ADHD and Anxiety Disorder.
Jennifer Wentzel
Support Program Grants Manager
Jennifer Wentzel
I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Moorhead State University. Since graduating, I have worked for several non-profit organizations in various capacities providing information and resources to those needing assistance. I am a 2022 graduate of the Partners in Policymaking leadership and advocacy training in South Dakota. I am married and have two wonderful teenage boys that I guide and support every day. At South Dakota Parent Connection, I enjoy working with families who have similar experiences to my family, who with a little information and encouragement, can become stronger self-advocates for their family’s needs.
Betsy Drew
Outreach Specialist
Betsy Drew
Outreach Specialist is a retired Elementary Principal. I hold a Master’s Degree in both Elementary Administration and Elementary Curriculum. I have served as a 504 Coordinator, a University Instructor, and a classroom teacher. As an administrator, I implemented a Response to Intervention program for my elementary school. I am a graduate of Partners in Policymaking and have one daughter who has a complex and rare disorder.
Kris Sellers
Outreach Specialist
Kris Sellers
I am a retired special education teacher and have worked with individuals of all ages with disabilities since college. I reside in Brandon with my husband, and we have three children and five grandchildren. I have enjoyed my “second career” as an Outreach Specialist at South Dakota Parent Connection, as it has provided me with the opportunity to work more closely with the parents of children with a disability. I can be their sounding board when they are concerned for their child and help them brainstorm and work through these difficult situations by offering recommendations, resources, and guidance when it is most needed.
Darla Schieffer
Outreach Specialist
Darla Schieffer
With 23 years of experience in Elementary Special Education, I bring a deep passion for supporting students and their families. I earned both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of South Dakota. Throughout my teaching career, I served as an Evaluation Team Leader and contributed to School Improvement Committees and Student Assistance Teams. I have always valued the opportunity to build strong relationships with the students I’ve served and their families. I am excited to continue fostering meaningful connections with parents in my role at South Dakota Parent Connection.
Courtney Temple
Outreach Specialist
Courtney Temple
I am a veteran of the United States Air Force and after leaving the military, I worked with special needs children and adults as a Paraprofessional and Job Coach while earning my BBA with a concentration in health care management. I then became a registered behavior technician and have been trained in ABA therapy and currently, I am working to earn my Master’s in Elementary and Special Education. I am passionate about continuing to learn all that I can about special education in the hopes that I can use that knowledge to enhance the quality of life for those with disabilities.
Katie Ristau
Outreach Specialist
Katie Ristau
I am an experienced educator with 20 years in Elementary Education and a strong commitment to supporting children and families. I hold a Master’s Degree in Reading and am currently pursuing a Master of Social Work to broaden my practice in advocacy and family-centered support. As a parent of four, I bring both professional expertise and personal understanding to my work. My specialization includes serving children with Autism, gifted learners, and students navigating chronic illness. Through my role with South Dakota Parent Connection, I strive to enhance collaboration, promote equitable access to resources, and empower families to engage confidently in their child’s educational journey.
Lisa Sanderson
Act Early Ambassador to South Dakota
Lisa Sanderson
I have served as Project Director for the statewide Family to Family Health Information Center at South Dakota Parent Connection since 2008. I have been working with systems and families across South Dakota for over 25 years, and serve as USD Faculty for the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) Program, and serve as the Center for Disease Control’s Act Early Ambassador to South Dakota since 2018. I have a Bachelor of Science degree, maintain licensure by the South Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners, and was a certified educator for many years. I am a parent of three, and grandparent of five, including children with exceptional needs. My passion is supporting families to be effective advocates for their children or other family members with disabilities.
Ken Randall
Operations Manager
Ken Randall
Coming soon!
