Midwest PBIS Network Contacts

Brian Meyer, Co-Director

brian.meyer@midwestpbis.org

Brian brings twenty-five years of varied educational settings to this work, from general education, to higher education, to residential care. In his leadership capacity, Brian organizes and directs Midwest PBIS Network support for implementation of PBIS from state departments of education through the cascade of implementation. He is currently implementing model demonstrations of the Interconnected Systems Framework in both regional/county and LEA sites.  Brian continues to leads curricular development of District Capacity Building, Tier I, Classroom Management, and Bullying Prevention.  As a partner with the USDOE Center on PBIS, Brian coordinates the evaluation of the Center's Technical Assistance, and facilitates state-level implementation including SEA and LEA technical assistance for the School Climate Transformation Grants (SCTG).

Kelly Perales, Co-Director

kelly.perales@midwestpbis.org

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Kelly has worked as both a school employed and community employed clinician and administrator. As part of the Center on PBIS, Kelly has provided training, technical assistance, and coaching for school leaders and community mental health providers at the state, regional, and local level. In addition, has led both state and district level implementers in the Interconnected Systems Framework, focusing on the integration of mental health and PBIS. 

Katie Pohlman, Technical Assistance Director

katie.pohlman@midwestpbis.org

Katie brings experience with both community and school social work.  Her desire to create equal opportunities for all along with her need to be efficient and effective led to her passion to support schools in implementing PBIS.  Katie's current role with the network extends her passion as she facilitates sites to integrate school and mental health systems by enhancing the core features of PBIS through the Interconnected Systems Framework (ISF).  

Juan Lira, Technical Assistance Coordinator

juan.lira@midwestpbis.org

Juan has worked in education for over 20 years. His experience has been centered in large urban and suburban school districts, though he began teaching in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico and Sal Rei, Boa Vista, Cape Verde. Juan has experience in implementing PBIS as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal. He brings a school-based practitioner’s lens to the table, along with the knowledge he has gained through experience of initiating and installing PBIS in schools. Juan’s work to improve student outcomes and make schools equitable places for all has led him to recognize and prioritize mental health, social emotional, and behavioral well-being in schools and school systems.  

Alanna Gatesman, Data Manager

alanna.gatesman@midwestpbis.org

Alanna brings a teaching background in both secondary and special education, along with over a decade of administrative support with the Network, to her current role of Training Data Manager. Her favorite aspect of working with the Network is assisting with the training of staff at the district and school levels in establishing systems that both empower educators and support students at all levels of need. Her diligent work with our Training system and event planning helps Midwest Institutes run smoothly.

Cheryle Kennelly, Project Coordinator

cheryle.kennelly@midwestpbis.org

Cheryle brings more than 20 years of experience as an Administrative Assistant & Meeting Planner to the Midwest Team. Her exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills, combined with her ability to independently multi-task and problem-solve make her a leader in event planning at the national level, and the go-to team member for all things at the local level. 

Patti Leppala-Bardell, Data Manager

patti.leppala@midwestpbis.org

Patti's diverse experience over 20 years working with schools, families, systems, and participating on various regional and state committees and coalitions, provides the passion she brings to the Midwest Team as an advocate for families and youth voice. She worked for the former Illinois EBD Network as a wraparound facilitator and trainer, the IL PBIS Network as SFCP/Training Coordinator, and now serves in her current role as Training Data Manager. Her sharp administrative and organizational skills are valuable to the Network for training/data coordination and event planning.

Jennifer Norton, Project Coordinator

jennifer.norton@midwestpbis.org

As an art educator in public education and afterschool programming for over a decade, Jennifer brings a teaching and design background to her role of Project Coordinator. Her eye for detail and appreciation of good organization help the team to think in more efficient ways. Jennifer loves all things Recognition, and is inspired by hundreds of Illinois schools being Recognized for their PBIS implementation efforts.