Sunshine

Areas of focus: Spanish speaking, young children, diagnosis

Areas of focus: new diagnosis, school-age, Spanish speaking families.  Instagram handle: carmen_rosa_zegarra_jury  Phone number:  754-299-9800

Contact the WSA national office to be connected with local support.

Areas of focus: adults, local resources, creating housing

Area of focus: adults.

Sarah Schaefer is currently the Executive Director for the Williams Syndrome Association. Prior to serving as Interim Executive Director, as the Vice President of Programs & Services she lead the development and execution of WSA programs and support services, which include the Family Support Network, scholarship programs, conventions, camps, and programs to engage people with WS of all ages. She also leads the development of partnerships & a collaborative of consultants to support families impacted by Williams syndrome. She joined the WSA as staff part-time in 2020, then full time in 2021, but has been involved in the WSA for the past 20 years, after her son Matthew was diagnosed in 2003 when he was 13 months old. She has served as a WSA regional chair volunteer and as a member of our board of trustees. Prior to joining the WSA, Sarah held leadership roles in learning and development, marketing, communications, sales, events, and was sought after to support organizations during times of struggle. Sarah attended Florida State University, is a Partners in Policymaking graduate, and has served as a parent leader for other support organizations. She currently resides in Palm Bay, FL with sons Matthew (WS, born in 2002) and Connor. In her spare time, she enjoys music, travel, crafts, Disney, and building with Lego.

Michelle Self has worked for over 20 years with families of students with Williams syndrome to help them access an appropriate education and achieve their full potential. She started her career as a Materials Engineer in quality assurance, and then she opted for a career change and completed a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Special Education. She has worked as an adjunct professor at Bowling Green State University teaching junior-level students how to assess all types of learners, to write effective IEPs, and to assist in students’ transition from high school. At the same time, she regularly consulted with hundreds of families across the country.

Michelle has spoken at Williams Syndrome Association conferences on a variety of education topics since 2006. Her expertise is in early childhood, especially determining the best accommodations for students, assisting with transitions into junior high and high school, and planning for the future.

She and her husband Bill spent most of their lives in Ohio before moving to Celebration, Florida, a year ago so their son with Williams syndrome could fulfill his vision of working at Disney World. They have another son, Bill, and daughter-in-law, Alex, both of whom volunteer with children at the Williams syndrome camps and conferences.

Michelle looks forward to working with more families through phone consultations for IEP reviews and attending IEP meetings. Contact her at mself@williams-syndrome.org to set up your consultation. 

The WSA provides 3 hours of FREE educational support to a family to use however they see fit.

Area of focus: adults