Contact us! EMAIL: kdp@wgu.edu PHONE: 385-428-2049 (Sydney) OR 385-428-6763 (Kacie)
RACHEL TYLER - CHAPTER PRESIDENT
Rachel is currently the sitting President of Alpha Epsilon Sigma chapter. She is working on her Bachelor's in Special Education here at WGU. Rachel works as Reading Specialist and a behavioral therapist.
Rachel currently resides in South Jersey where she was born and raised. She enjoys traveling and spending time with close family and friends.
JESSICA MARTZ - CHAPTER VICE PRESIDENT
Jess was initiated into KDP three years ago while working to obtain her M.Ed. in Teaching English as a Second Language. She has served as secretary and is the current Vice President. In the time that she has been a member of the AES chapter, she has participated in three LiteracyAlive projects.
Jess is currently working for VIPKID, teaching English to children in China, and is also an adult education teacher. Her previous jobs include being a substitute teacher and a preschool teacher. She obtained her B.S. in Education from Penn State University with a concentration in English and Communication.
Outside of work, Jess enjoys reading, traveling, and attending Penn State football games. She has a dog and a cat, as well as a saltwater aquarium.
LEAH STUBB - MEMBERSHIP CHAIR
While I have worked in the education field for the past 14 years, I am a new Special Education Teacher and recent graduate of Western Governors University. I have served as Membership Chair for the Alpha Epsilon Sigma chapter of KDP through this last session and greatly enjoyed it. I enjoy meeting new members and would love to help you acclimate and join in. Moving forward, I would love to help in any way or capacity that I can to increase the efficiency and productivity of the board. Over the time that I have served, I have found that board members often need to wear different hats and adapt to change. I am excited to see what the increase in membership will bring and excited to hear fresh new ideas from our newest members.
KARISSA GERBER - CHAPTER TREASURER
Karissa is the current Treasurer for our chapter and has been a member of KDP since June 2017. She began pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Special Education through WGU in 2016. While going to school she is also acting as a stay-at-home mom for her 2 children, Raylee and Tredon. Karissa and her family currently live in Wenatchee, WA. During her free time, she enjoys reading and cooking.
RACHAEL GRILLO - CHAPTER SECRETARY
Rachael received her BA in Secondary Education (Chemistry) from WGU in 2009 and her MA in Secondary Education (Physics) from WGU in 2014. Since graduating, she has worked in a Title I high school teaching a number of subjects including chemistry, physical science, physics, and earth systems. She is currently the lead teacher for the three subjects she is teaching this year - Forensic Science, Environmental Science, and AP Environmental Science. Rachael grew up in Ohio before spending 10 years living in New York City (GO METS). She currently resides outside of Atlanta with her husband, Stephen, and two cats, Jack and Boo. A favorite hobby is stamp collecting.
SYDNEY ROMBOLA - FACULTY CO-COUNSELOR
Sydney has been a faculty counselor for Alpha Epsilon Sigma chapter since 2014. She was the recipient of the 2016-2017 Community College/Online Regional Chapter Counselor Award. Sydney has worked at WGU for 15 years, first as the Coordinator of Field Experiences and for the last 12 years as a Program Mentor in Elementary Education. She also assists with training new program mentors.
In 2002, Sydney received a Master of Organizational Behavior and an M. A. in International and Area Studies, with an emphasis in International Development, both from Brigham Young University. Sydney is working towards her Ph.D. in Education, with an emphasis in Higher Education. Her dissertation will investigate methods of promoting epistemological development and transformative learning in distance higher education. Another area of interest is intergenerational communication and mentoring.
Sydney and her husband live outside of Philadelphia, PA, and enjoy exploring all of the historical and cultural elements of that great city. They also love road trips and have a goal to visit every presidential site within the country.
KACIE RYAN - FACULTY CO-COUNSELOR
Kacie has been a faculty counselor with KDP at WGU for the last three years, but was initiated in 2008 when she was working on her M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction at Arizona State University. During her time with the AES chapter, Kacie helped organize two Literacy Alive! projects, initiated an annual Executive Board Kick-Off event, and inducted hundreds of new members.
Currently, Kacie is a Program Mentor in the Educational Leadership programs, a role which she has held for the last 4 years. She also serves on the Alumni Board of Directors for Southern Oregon University the school where she earned her B.S. in Biology. Kacie’s first career out of college was as an elementary and middle school science teacher for 7 years teaching in California and Arizona. During that time, Kacie also wrote science curriculum with the University of Arizona.
Kacie is a mom of two, Luke and Daphne. She spends most of her free time with them and her husband exercising, and exploring the outdoors in Western Washington where they have lived for the past year.