Over 40 student events will be held this year, including three new offerings – Academic Pentathlon and Mock Trial for middle school students, and the TCOE Esports League.

Dates for the events are now online at tcoe.org/StudentEvents. They are arranged chronologically. Along with the event date are dates for advisor trainings, if applicable.

“We are tremendously proud of all the student events we offer,” said Tulare County Superintendent of Schools Tim Hire. “Our Student Future Ready Events provide opportunities for deeper exploration into many academic areas and greater engagement at school.”

Educators interested in participating in any of the events are encouraged to contact the coordinator listed on the webpage. 

Photo above:

~ Among the 2025-26 Student Future Ready Events now online is a Mock Trial competition for middle school students. The winner of the Tulare County competition will advance to the state competition for middle school students. 

This month, Special Services welcomed three new administrators to serve as program specialists and a program manager. The division also expanded its speech therapy services with the addition of speech-language pathologist (SLP) trainers.

Parbst promoted to Program Manager 

Long-time Program Specialist Brooke Parbst has been promoted to program manager of Special Services’ Related Services Program. She will oversee adapted physical education, assistive technology, and deaf/hard of hearing.

Serving TCOE for nearly 15 years, Parbst has worked as an instructional assistant, education specialist for Mild/Moderate Programs, and SELPA program specialist for TCOE’s Special Services. She brings expertise in special education compliance, instructional practices for students with disabilities, and inclusive practices within the school community.

Clark, Ruddy, Ferreira are new Program Specialists

Julie Clark and Christina Ruddy are the new program specialists under Special Service’s SELPA Compliance department, while Heidi Ferreira is the new program specialist for psychological services.

With 15 years of experience in education, including 12 years with the Tulare County Office of Education, Clark brings a deep commitment to supporting students and educators. She has served as an education specialist across grades TK–12, mentored new teachers, provided in-home Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services, and contributed to the Preschool Improvement Team.

Ruddy brings over 15 years of experience in special education, serving as an education specialist, mentor, and in leadership roles for more than seven years, including program manager, coordinator, and interim director—all within Visalia Unified School District. She holds dual master’s degrees: one in educational leadership and administration, and another in teaching.

Ferreira has served as a School psychologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) at TCOE for 12 years. She brings experience and leadership in ABA, educationally-related mental health services, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, psychological educational assessments, and social emotional learning.

Three to lead new SLP-Trainer addition

Dina Correia, Alyssa Harlow, and Linda Pena will serve as the new SLP trainers.

“We are excited to introduce the new role of SLP-Trainers, a pivotal addition to our speech therapy program that brings expert leadership, supervision, and training to support the success of our students and staff,” said Tammy Bradford, TCOE’s Assistant Superintendent of Special Services. “Our SLP-Trainers will oversee and mentor SLPAs and Speech Instructional Aides, coordinate therapy services, and lead professional development countywide to ensure the highest standards of care and practice throughout Tulare County SELPA.”

With 32 years as a Speech-Language Pathologist, Dina brings extensive experience from both medical and educational settings. Starting in 2010, she transitioned to school-based services, dedicating the last 15 years to Tulare County across districts like Earlimart, Porterville Unified, and Tulare City, serving students from preschool through high school. She has been instrumental in supervising and mentoring future SLPs. She specializes in delivering evidence-based services, particularly for neurodiverse students

Harlow is an experienced speech-language pathologist with over a decade of experience in educational settings, serving at Tulare County Office of Education since 2013. She has clinical experience in the assessment and treatment of a wide range of communication disorders, including articulation, motor speech, and language, as well as experience with Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). 

Pena is an accomplished clinician whose career began in 2006. Over nearly two decades, she has worked with students from preschool through high school, providing culturally responsive, evidence‑based speech and language services across a wide continuum of settings. In addition to her clinical expertise, she is experienced in training and mentoring speech aides and practicum students and in designing and leading professional development.

All three hold a master’s degree from their respective fields, an ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC‑SLP), and a California SLP license. Both Correia and Pena hold a Clinical/Rehabilitative Service Credential, while Harlow also has a California Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential. 

Photos above:

~ Brooke Parbst has been promoted to program manager of Special Services’ Related Services Program.

~ From left to right, Julie Clark, Hedi Ferriera, and Christina Ruddy are the newest program specialists for TCOE’s Special Services division. 

~ From left to right, Alyssa Harlow, Dina Correira, and Linda Pena are the new speech/language trainers for TCOE’s Special Services.

Editor: Robert Herman, Communications Director
Contributors: Nayirah Dosu, Jennifer Fisher, Jaime Burnitzki, Paula Terrill, Tammy Bradford

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