Annie Richards is the Director of Behavioral Health and Wellness for West Fargo Public Schools. She received her undergraduate degree in psychology from Minnesota State University Moorhead and her master's degree in Special Education from the University of North Dakota. She is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and currently serves on the board for North Dakota Association for Behavior Analysts. Prior to joining WFPS, Annie has worked with adults and children with mental illnesses and developmental disabilities in residential and community-based settings. Annie is passionate about ensuring West Fargo Public Schools has a robust system of support to meet the needs of all learners and that all have the opportunity to meaningfully contribute to their community regardless of individual circumstance.

Kari Chitty is a Behavioral Health and Wellness Coordinator for West Fargo Public Schools and has previously been a special education teacher and behavior coach for the district. She received her undergraduate degree in business administration from Valley City State University and her master’s in special education form University of Phoenix. Most recently, Kari earned her Applied Behavior Analysis certification from the University of North Dakota. Prior to joining WFPS, Kari served in the active-duty Army and served the military families and communities in multiple volunteer and professional capacities. Kari draws on her experiences with diverse populations to empower educators to create supportive environments for all learners.

Mackenna Bachmeier is a Behavior Specialist for West Fargo Public Schools and supports the SLC Programs. She received her undergraduate degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from Minnesota State University Moorhead and her master's degree in Special Education from the University of North Dakota. She is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and is currently working towards an educational specialist degree in Mental Health Practices in Schools. Prior to joining WFPS, Mackenna worked with children and adolescents with developmental disabilities in both clinical and educational settings. She is passionate about collaborating to provide wrap around services to support to the whole child.

TBD

Shelby Chase is a Positive Behavior Support Coach for West Fargo Public Schools and is focused on the Hawks feeder system, including Legacy, Horace, Deer Creek, and Aurora Elementary schools. She received her undergraduate degree in Sociology and human services with a minor in Special Education from Le Moyne College and will graduate with her master’s in psychology with a concentration in Behavioral Sciences in December 2021. Prior to working at West Fargo Public Schools, Shelby has worked with children, adolescents, and adults all with different abilities in the school, clinic, and home setting and has been a Registered Behavior Technician for four years.

Nawar Ismail is a positive behavior coach in West Fargo focusing on the Mustang feeder system, including Independence, Brooks Harbor, Freedom, and Osgood Elementary schools. She studied psychology and sociology at Concordia Collect and is currently finishing a masters program in psychology with an emphasis in applied behavior analysis. Before working for the district, Nawar worked in a clinic setting providing ABA services to individuals with developmental disabilities. She is passionate about reducing barriers for all learners and promoting culturally competent and equitable systems of support.

Lexi Olerud is a Positive Behavior Support Coach for West Fargo Public Schools.  Prior to this role, she was a special education teacher at Independence Elementary for three years. She also worked for Moorhead Public Schools as a preschool teacher.  Lexi received her undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education and her master’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education from Minnesota State University Moorhead.

Eve Honer is a Lead Behavior Technician for West Fargo Public Schools. Eve received her high school diploma from Perham High School and is currently working towards her special education and elementary education (dual licensure) undergraduate degree through Western Governors University. Eve has worked for WFPS as a special education paraprofessional for three years, a Structured Learning Community Behavior Technician for one year, and is currently a Lead BT in the Behavioral Health and Wellness Department. Eve is passionate about building relationships with students and staff and strives to give students the tools they need to achieve academic and social success.  

Bernard attended Saint Xavier University in Chicago studying Criminal Justice and African American Studies. He has worked with kids since 2009 coaching football in Chicago. Once in North Dakota, he continued his passion for coaching and working with kids by coaching at local high schools around the area. He started working in the behavioral health field in 2013 as a behavioral health specialist at Luther Hall Psychiatric Treatment Facility. After that, he became a Behavioral Technician for Solutions juvenile residential program until he joined the West Fargo Behavioral Team.   

This is his second year as a Lead Behavior Technician on the West Fargo Behavioral Team. He plans to continue his education at the University of North Dakota focusing on Special Education. 

Crystal Meis currently works as a Lead BT for West Fargo School District and supports students in the Packer feeder system. She started out working for different childcare facilities in the Fargo/ west Fargo area where she found her passion for learning about behavior and the specialized needs of children with disabilities. From there, Crystal went on to explore the ABA world as a registered behavior technician for the North Dakota Autism Center. While working at NDAC, Crystal was introduced to the school system setting and transitioned to a role as a behavior technician working in an elementary CSSP classroom. Her passion for positive behavioral supports expanded as she discovered the joy of teaching students new skills. Crystal loves watching students learn and grow! 

Grace Miller is a Lead Behavior Technician for the West Fargo Public Schools. She has worked as a Behavior Technician for 3 years and this is her second year as a Lead Behavior Technician in the district. Prior to joining WFPS, Grace worked with children with developmental disabilities in a community and home-based settings. Grace is passionate about building relationships with the learners and providing an environment where they are treated with compassion, dignity, and their voice is heard.