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| Meet our Georgia Hands & Voices Board of Directors |
Terri Patterson: Chair, Executive Director
terri@gahandsandvoices.org
Terri and her husband have two children, a 13-year-old daughter, Molly, and a 10 year old son, Riley,
who was diagnosed with bilateral profound hearing loss at 2 months. They live in Acworth, GA. Terri
worked as a Parent Educator for Babies Can’t Wait for four and a half years and has coordinated
several family events and workshops for her district’s early intervention program. She is also involved
in both local and state Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) task forces and is often asked
to provide the parent’s perspective as a speaker for regional and national conferences. She is a
member of the AAHBEI (American Association for Home-Based Early Interventionists) Governing
Board, as a parent representative. She is also a parent representative on the GA/FL (SOTAC) PEPNet
Board.
“I have come to a point where being involved with families as they navigate their way through the
childhood of their special child, and with professionals who support and guide us, is where I want to
be. Not because I was thrust into it, but because I have found my passion.”
Julia Janka: Vice Chair
jjanka_2000@yahoo.com
Julia is a PMP, parent of dual diagnosed 7 year old, hard of hearing daughter, Carrie-Min, in
Cumming, GA. She is active in educating herself and others on the dual diagnosis of Apraxia/HoH.
Professionally, she is a full-time Program Administrator and an Adjunct Professor. She is also a
parent representative on the GA/FL (SOTAC) PEPNet Board.
“Life is gravy, ours is very tasty, but high maintenance.”
Yolanda Head: Membership Chair
YLynch@headfirstinc.com
Yolanda lives in Stone Mountain, GA. She is the mother of 2-year old Phillip and 4-year old Garrett, and
wife to Gregory Head. Garrett was an extreme preemie at 1lb.7oz who was diagnosed with severe to
profound hearing loss at 6 months. He was later diagnosed with Auditory Neuropathy at 1½ years of
age. Currently, Garrett attends the Atlanta Speech School where he is successfully mainstreaming
(part-time) with his peers. Yolanda also serves on the Parent Teacher Council at the Speech School
and volunteer at the school 3 days a week. She is a parent representative on the GA/FL (SOTAC)
PEPNet Board.
“I enjoy talking to and helping parents through their journey with hearing loss and encouraging them
to use whatever communication method that works for their child and family.”
Deborah Fields-Harris: Sponsorship Chair
Fields-harrisd@comcast.net
Deborah is a married, mother of 16-year-old son with congenital hydrocephalus manifested by cortical
visual impairment, mild hearing loss, seizure disorder, mild displegic cerebral palsy and other
neurological involvements. She is also the Family Support Coordinator for the Georgia Sensory
Assistance Project (formerly the Georgia Deaf blind Project). She currently sits as a member on the
State Advisory Panel for Special Education, she is the Chairperson for the Georgia Deafblind
Stakeholders & Advisory Council and has been a member of Parent to Parent of Georgia’s Board of
Directors.
Jennifer Taylor Jezyk: PR/Marketing Chair
jtjezyk@bellsouth.net
Jennifer and her husband Neal are parents to five-year-old Jamie and two-year-old Abby. Abby was
diagnosed at birth with unilateral hearing loss through Newborn Hearing Screening. Her hearing loss
was later determined to be caused by Enlarged Vestibular Aqueduct Syndrome, a condition that often
results in further hearing loss. Since then, Jennifer has been dedicated to helping Abby learn to
communicate and develop language, navigating the networks of early interventionists, audiologists,
ENTs, SLPs and beyond. A public relations professional, Jennifer is aware of the importance of, and
committed to bringing awareness of Hands & Voices to parents, professionals and legislators in
order to strengthen support for children with hearing loss throughout the state.
Debbie Hofmeister
Debbie@gahandsandvoices.org
Debbie lives in Augusta with her husband and their son, Matthew, who is 11 years old. He is deaf and
wears a cochlear implant. Debbie is a Vision Education Consultant/Orientation and Mobility Specialist,
a Parent Advisor for the Georgia PINES Program and she is also a Regional Advisor for the Sensory
Assistance Project.
“I am proud to be part of Georgia Hands and Voices. It is exciting to be part of such a wonderful
organization. I am looking forward to great things happening for our children who are deaf or hard of
hearing in Georgia.”
RaDora J. Dinnan, Au.D., CCC-A: Secretary
Radora@gahandsandvoices.org
RaDora is currently an Audiologist with Pediatric ENT of Atlanta. She was diagnosed with bilateral
hearing loss at age two, and has worn hearing aids since that time. Because of her experiences, she
chose to work with the pediatric population in order to work with both the patients and their families.
Cindy Dunn-Kearly MA/Deaf Education: Treasurer
CDunnKearly@aol.com
Cindy lives in Augusta with her husband, Don and her stepson, William. She is a Teacher of the Deaf
and Hard of Hearing for Columbia County Public Schools. Cindy also serves as a Parent Advisor for
Georgia PINES. Cindy has worked in the field of Special Education for 20 years, and has been a
Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing since obtaining her Master’s degree from Gallaudet
University in 2003.
“I feel it is important to inform, empower and support families so each and every child who is deaf or
hard of hearing has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential.”
Clare Sullivan, MEd.
csulliva@doe.k12.ga.us
Clare is currently the Education Program Manager of Georgia Parent Infant Network for Educational
Services (Georgia PINES) via the Department of Education. She has many years of experience
working with deaf and hard-of-hearing children and families including state residential programs,
state day school programs, local education programs and Georgia's Universal Newborn Hearing
Screening and Intervention Program. Helping families realize their child's potential is her passion. Her
favorite past-time is hiking in the mountains or any National Park.
Dr. Frank Nesbit, Ed: K-12
FNesbit@doe.k12.ga.us
Frank Nesbit is the Georgia Department of Education’s consultant for programs for students who are
Deaf and Hard of Hearing. He has worked with deaf students in schools since 1987, with experience
that includes employment at Gallaudet University, Atlanta Area School for the Deaf, and as a teacher
and administrator within local school systems. He holds professional certification as a Teacher of the
Deaf, as an Educational Interpreter, and as a Director of Special Education with a Master’s degree in
Deaf Education and a Doctorate in Management of Programs for Children and Youth. His federally
supported professional learning projects focus on improving the achievement of all students who are
deaf and hard of hearing.
terri@gahandsandvoices.org
Terri and her husband have two children, a 13-year-old daughter, Molly, and a 10 year old son, Riley,
who was diagnosed with bilateral profound hearing loss at 2 months. They live in Acworth, GA. Terri
worked as a Parent Educator for Babies Can’t Wait for four and a half years and has coordinated
several family events and workshops for her district’s early intervention program. She is also involved
in both local and state Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) task forces and is often asked
to provide the parent’s perspective as a speaker for regional and national conferences. She is a
member of the AAHBEI (American Association for Home-Based Early Interventionists) Governing
Board, as a parent representative. She is also a parent representative on the GA/FL (SOTAC) PEPNet
Board.
“I have come to a point where being involved with families as they navigate their way through the
childhood of their special child, and with professionals who support and guide us, is where I want to
be. Not because I was thrust into it, but because I have found my passion.”
Julia Janka: Vice Chair
jjanka_2000@yahoo.com
Julia is a PMP, parent of dual diagnosed 7 year old, hard of hearing daughter, Carrie-Min, in
Cumming, GA. She is active in educating herself and others on the dual diagnosis of Apraxia/HoH.
Professionally, she is a full-time Program Administrator and an Adjunct Professor. She is also a
parent representative on the GA/FL (SOTAC) PEPNet Board.
“Life is gravy, ours is very tasty, but high maintenance.”
Yolanda Head: Membership Chair
YLynch@headfirstinc.com
Yolanda lives in Stone Mountain, GA. She is the mother of 2-year old Phillip and 4-year old Garrett, and
wife to Gregory Head. Garrett was an extreme preemie at 1lb.7oz who was diagnosed with severe to
profound hearing loss at 6 months. He was later diagnosed with Auditory Neuropathy at 1½ years of
age. Currently, Garrett attends the Atlanta Speech School where he is successfully mainstreaming
(part-time) with his peers. Yolanda also serves on the Parent Teacher Council at the Speech School
and volunteer at the school 3 days a week. She is a parent representative on the GA/FL (SOTAC)
PEPNet Board.
“I enjoy talking to and helping parents through their journey with hearing loss and encouraging them
to use whatever communication method that works for their child and family.”
Deborah Fields-Harris: Sponsorship Chair
Fields-harrisd@comcast.net
Deborah is a married, mother of 16-year-old son with congenital hydrocephalus manifested by cortical
visual impairment, mild hearing loss, seizure disorder, mild displegic cerebral palsy and other
neurological involvements. She is also the Family Support Coordinator for the Georgia Sensory
Assistance Project (formerly the Georgia Deaf blind Project). She currently sits as a member on the
State Advisory Panel for Special Education, she is the Chairperson for the Georgia Deafblind
Stakeholders & Advisory Council and has been a member of Parent to Parent of Georgia’s Board of
Directors.
Jennifer Taylor Jezyk: PR/Marketing Chair
jtjezyk@bellsouth.net
Jennifer and her husband Neal are parents to five-year-old Jamie and two-year-old Abby. Abby was
diagnosed at birth with unilateral hearing loss through Newborn Hearing Screening. Her hearing loss
was later determined to be caused by Enlarged Vestibular Aqueduct Syndrome, a condition that often
results in further hearing loss. Since then, Jennifer has been dedicated to helping Abby learn to
communicate and develop language, navigating the networks of early interventionists, audiologists,
ENTs, SLPs and beyond. A public relations professional, Jennifer is aware of the importance of, and
committed to bringing awareness of Hands & Voices to parents, professionals and legislators in
order to strengthen support for children with hearing loss throughout the state.
Debbie Hofmeister
Debbie@gahandsandvoices.org
Debbie lives in Augusta with her husband and their son, Matthew, who is 11 years old. He is deaf and
wears a cochlear implant. Debbie is a Vision Education Consultant/Orientation and Mobility Specialist,
a Parent Advisor for the Georgia PINES Program and she is also a Regional Advisor for the Sensory
Assistance Project.
“I am proud to be part of Georgia Hands and Voices. It is exciting to be part of such a wonderful
organization. I am looking forward to great things happening for our children who are deaf or hard of
hearing in Georgia.”
RaDora J. Dinnan, Au.D., CCC-A: Secretary
Radora@gahandsandvoices.org
RaDora is currently an Audiologist with Pediatric ENT of Atlanta. She was diagnosed with bilateral
hearing loss at age two, and has worn hearing aids since that time. Because of her experiences, she
chose to work with the pediatric population in order to work with both the patients and their families.
Cindy Dunn-Kearly MA/Deaf Education: Treasurer
CDunnKearly@aol.com
Cindy lives in Augusta with her husband, Don and her stepson, William. She is a Teacher of the Deaf
and Hard of Hearing for Columbia County Public Schools. Cindy also serves as a Parent Advisor for
Georgia PINES. Cindy has worked in the field of Special Education for 20 years, and has been a
Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing since obtaining her Master’s degree from Gallaudet
University in 2003.
“I feel it is important to inform, empower and support families so each and every child who is deaf or
hard of hearing has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential.”
Clare Sullivan, MEd.
csulliva@doe.k12.ga.us
Clare is currently the Education Program Manager of Georgia Parent Infant Network for Educational
Services (Georgia PINES) via the Department of Education. She has many years of experience
working with deaf and hard-of-hearing children and families including state residential programs,
state day school programs, local education programs and Georgia's Universal Newborn Hearing
Screening and Intervention Program. Helping families realize their child's potential is her passion. Her
favorite past-time is hiking in the mountains or any National Park.
Dr. Frank Nesbit, Ed: K-12
FNesbit@doe.k12.ga.us
Frank Nesbit is the Georgia Department of Education’s consultant for programs for students who are
Deaf and Hard of Hearing. He has worked with deaf students in schools since 1987, with experience
that includes employment at Gallaudet University, Atlanta Area School for the Deaf, and as a teacher
and administrator within local school systems. He holds professional certification as a Teacher of the
Deaf, as an Educational Interpreter, and as a Director of Special Education with a Master’s degree in
Deaf Education and a Doctorate in Management of Programs for Children and Youth. His federally
supported professional learning projects focus on improving the achievement of all students who are
deaf and hard of hearing.
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