Project Contacts

Kelly Justice serves as the Project Director for Florida’s PS/RtI Project. Kelly joined the Project as a Regional Coordinator in 2007, providing technical assistance, training and support. As Director, she supports project planning efforts and supervises project staff who provide training and technical assistance to schools and districts. Kelly has presented at the state and national level on problem solving, multi-tiered systems of support and related topics.

Prior to joining the Project, Kelly was a general education teacher for ten years. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education and Master of Educational Leadership degree, both from the University of South Florida. Kelly is the co-author of the books, RTI and the Classroom Teacher: A Guide for Fostering Teacher Buy-In and Supporting the Intervention Process (LRP Publications, 2006) and Fidelity and RtI: Strategies to Ensure Intervention Integrity in Your Schools (LRP Publications, 2010) and the chapter, “Integrity of Intervention Implementation”, in What Do I Do When…The Answer Book on RTI (LRP Publications, 2007).

José Castillo is a Professor in the School Psychology Program at the University of South Florida and is Co-Director of the Institute for School-Community Partnerships, Integrated Services, and Child Mental Health and Educational Policy. Previously, Dr. Castillo served as the Problem Solving/Response to Intervention (PS/RtI) Project Evaluator where he facilitated the development and application of a model for evaluating MTSS implementation. He has also worked as a school psychologist in the Pasco County School District in which he provided training and ongoing coaching to school and district leadership responsible for implementing MTSS.

Carlos Blaine serves as a Regional Coordinator for Florida’s Problem Solving/Response to Intervention Project. In this role, he leverages his extensive expertise to provide consultation to district leaders and leadership teams, facilitating the development and implementation of integrated multi-tiered systems of supports to enhance college, career, and life readiness for all students. With over two decades of experience spanning classroom instruction to district leadership, Dr. Blaine brings extensive practical knowledge to his work. His research interests center on addressing the disproportionate identification of students with disabilities within high-incidence categories and promoting the use of evidence-based instructional practices across the continuum of supports to ensure their success.

Carlos provides support to the following districts:

Deanne Cowley currently serves as a Regional Coordinator for the Florida Problem Solving/Response to Intervention (PS/RtI) Project. In this role, she provides technical assistance and training to school districts across Florida to support their implementation of multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS).

With more than 20 years of experience in education, Deanne has held a variety of roles at both the school and district level, including school psychologist, school-based PS/RtI Coach, district-wide PS/RtI Coach, and Prevention Specialist, where she supported the implementation of the district mental health plan and served on the district threat assessment team. Prior to her current position, she also served as a Professional Learning and Coaching Specialist for the PS/RtI Project.

Deanne is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) and earned her Education Specialist degree in School Psychology from the University of South Florida.

Deanne provides support to the following districts:

Beth Hardcastle has served as a Regional Coordinator since 2007 and provides ongoing problem solving and technical assistance support to districts. In addition to providing district support for MTSS implementation, Beth also provides statewide training and presents at state and national conferences on topics such as problem solving, MTSS implementation, supporting district leadership, intervention/implementation fidelity, and improving outcomes for students with disabilities.

Beth is the co-author of two books: RTI and the Classroom Teacher: A Guide for Fostering Teacher Buy-in and Supporting the Intervention Process (LRP Publications, 2006) and Fidelity and RTI: Strategies to Ensure Intervention Integrity in Your Schools (LRP Publications, 2010). Beth also co-authored the chapter “Integrity of Intervention Implementation” for What Do I Do When…The Answer Book on RTI (LRP Publications, 2007). Prior to joining the Project, Beth was a School Psychologist and the Section 504 Coordinator in Santa Rosa County.

Beth provides support to the following districts:

Kelley Steinmetz is a Regional Coordinator for Florida’s Problem Solving/Response to Intervention Project. She supports district leaders and leadership teams in developing, implementing and sustaining an integrated model of multi-tiered systems of supports, a system in which all students are prepared for college, career, and life readiness. Kelley has over twenty years of experience in various fields of education. Kelley earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Florida, is certified in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Exceptional Student Education (ESE), and has her Reading Endorsement. Her coursework and experience give her a solid understanding of how students learn the skills necessary for success and knowledge of high leverage strategies to support the progress of all learners.

Kelley has experience as elementary and secondary general education and special education teacher, Problem Solving/RtI Project coach, MTSS district and school level coach, school-based data coach, and Reading interventionist for Monroe County Schools. Before joining the PS/RtI Project, she served as a specialist and facilitator for FIN from 2019–2023, presenting at multiple statewide conferences on the topic of supporting students with disabilities. Kelley’s special area of interest is the use of Tier 1 problem solving to improve universal instruction and tiered supports in the primary grades, with emphasis on phonological awareness.

Kelley provides support to the following districts:

Lisa Yount is a Regional Coordinator for Florida’s Problem Solving/Response to Intervention Project. She supports district leaders and leadership teams in developing and sustaining an integrated model of multi-tiered systems of supports, a system in which all students are prepared for college, career, and life readiness.

Lisa received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of South Florida, earning an MS in Speech and Language Pathology. She is a licensed speech-language pathologist (SLP) and is a certified member of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). Prior to joining the Project in January of 2011, Lisa worked in private practice as an SLP, specializing in language development in the early years, and then served Pasco County Schools both as an SLP and as a program coordinator for Pasco County’s speech and language services program. Lisa’s areas of interest include effective Tier 1 problem solving, with improvement of core instruction as the foundation of a multi-tier system of student supports.

Lisa provides support to the following districts:

Stephanie Green serves as the Project Evaluator for Florida’s Problem Solving/Response to Intervention (PS/RtI) Project. This role helps to provide internal and external evaluation around the PS/RtI Professional Learning delivery and statewide MTSS implementation.

Prior to joining this project, Stephanie worked as a Supervisor of Research and Evaluation Services for Pasco County Schools. She earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of South Florida, with her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Educational Measurement and Evaluation. Stephanie’s areas of interest include data literacy and pre-service teacher education.

Judi Hyde has been with the Florida’s Problem Solving/Response to Intervention Project since it began in 2006. She has worked on numerous grants with the Institute for School-Community Partnerships, Integrated Services, and Child Mental Health and Educational Policy at the University of South Florida since 1996. As the PS/RtI Communications Coordinator, Judi regularly shares information and resources with Project personnel and Florida school districts. She is the Project webmaster, designs numerous online surveys, and assists Project personnel with desktop publishing.

Prior to coming to USF, Judi worked in Hillsborough County Schools’ Department of Student Services as a Project Coordinator for the Robert Wood Johnson Teaching Strategies grant, the Shared Services Network project, and SEDNET. Judi also has experience as an elementary classroom teacher.

Janet Good is a Speech Language Pathologist on the Technology & Learning Connections (TLC) team MTSS project. She is the TLC Director and the Loan Library Distribution Center Coordinator, Port Orange, with Florida’s Problem Solving/Response to Intervention Project – Technology Unit at the University of South Florida. In this role Janet provides technical assistance in the areas of: augmentative alternative communication (AAC), accessible educational materials (AEM), assistive technology (AT), instructional technology (IT), Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and virtual/online learning (VI) technologies. In her 28 years working in the educational field she has shared her expertise and passion at local, state, and national conferences covering various topics including Assistive Technology, and Augmentative Alternative Communication use and implementation.

Dr. Tara Jeffs is currently part of the dynamic Technology & Learning Connections (TLC) Team as the Assistant Director. The TLC Team is a part of Florida’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) through the Problem Solving/Response to Intervention Project at the University of South Florida. In this role, Tara provides technical assistance in the areas of: accessible educational materials (AEM), assistive technology (AT), instructional technology (IT), Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and virtual/online learning (VI) technologies.

Tara has disseminated knowledge and research in the areas of assistive technologies, emerging technologies, and online learning through more than 25 articles/chapters and over 100 presentations at state and national conferences in the past 15 years. Her career experiences in the K-12 classroom and at the university level bring a wealth of expertise focusing on the infusion of assistive and emerging technologies in the classroom for academic success.

Lauren is a Training Support Specialist with the PS/RtI Technology & Learning Connections Project. She is responsible for implementation and assessment of project activities under the supervision of the project state and regional coordinators. She maintains and manages the operation of the AT-UDL Loan Library and manages statewide training materials. Lauren is Makerbot 3D Print Certified. In her spare time, Lauren enjoys the beautiful Florida scenery by bicycle riding and paddle boarding.

Jason Rhodes has been in Florida most of his life. He graduated from Saint Leo University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. He also enjoyed working with the Theatre program, acting as a Stage Manager and Technician for many plays.

Jason has worked for the FL Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles as a local Driver License Examiner and in their Project Management Office (PMO). Most recently he worked for the County of Volusia as a Revenue Specialist. He has always enjoyed working in environments that allow him to help people.

Jason is enthusiastic about learning new technology. As a gamer, he is always looking forward to the next big advancement in gaming – and looking at the possibilities for application in other situations. While working in the PMO, Jason often worked with the Information Technology units and Quality Assurance units during development and testing of new hardware and software, prior to statewide deployments. He enjoys being hands-on with new tools and training other users. He hopes to bring these passions to this project.

Olamide Fasida, a proud South Floridian, boasts an impressive background with a degree in Software Engineering and a minor in Hospitality Management from Saint Leo University. Her passion for technology and exceptional ability to simplify complex concepts have always set her apart.

Before stepping into her current role as a Technology Management Specialist, Olamide dedicated her time to enriching the lives of Senior Citizens at Tuscany Cove in Miami, Florida, by teaching Digital Literacy. This experience wasn’t just about teaching; it was about empowering individuals to navigate the digital world with confidence and security.

Olamide firmly believes in the transformative power of technology to enhance lives, a principle that guides her professionally and personally.

Her enthusiasm for all things tech is matched only by her commitment to making technology accessible and enjoyable for everyone. She is excited to bring this passion for utilizing technology to the project, aiming to foster an environment where tech serves as a bridge to solutions, innovation, and greater ease of living for all involved.