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Home & Community-Based Early Intervention Program

Staff

Sharon Scott, Director

Sharon Scott, Director 

I am so excited and grateful to be part of the MTSU Home and Community Based Early Intervention Program as Director.  I am a Texas native and have lived in Dallas, Texas for the past 20 years. My passion of working with children with special needs began with Head Start of Greater Dallas and then with Dallas Independent School District, where I received my Early Intervention certification. As an early interventionist, I provided Developmental Therapy, Service Coordination, and Evaluation services to children 0-3 years old for more than 14 years.  

I received my Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A& M University-Commerce, Master of Arts degree in Counseling from Prairie View A&M University. I obtained my Master of Occupational Therapy degree from Tennessee State University, which has allowed me to enhance and develop my knowledge base and clinical experiences to best serve families of diverse backgrounds.  

I love the nature of Tennessee and is excited to experience it! I enjoy exercising (xtreme hip-hop step), reading, and sharing time with my 13yr old lab, Barrett Jackson. He brings me joy!  You can reach me at [email protected]


Tammy Simmons

Tammy Simmons

​​I completed my undergraduate degree at Western Kentucky University with a bachelors degree in Early Childhood Development.  I completed my masters degree at Trevecca Nazarene University in Instructional Effectiveness.  I taught kindergarten for six years at a public school in TN.  I have taught in many different child care centers and preschools.​ I have worked for TIPS and TEIS.  I have worked for the MTSU Home and Community Based Program since it began in 2010.  I absolutely love my position as a developmental therapist and cherish the many relationships I have built with families over the years. You can reach me at [email protected].

​​I completed my undergraduate degree at Western Kentucky University with a bachelors degree in Early Childhood Development.  I completed my masters degree at Trevecca Nazarene University in Instructional Effectiveness.  I taught kindergarten for six years at a public school in TN.  I have taught in many different child care centers and preschools.​ I have worked for TIPS and TEIS.  I have worked for the MTSU Home and Community Based Program since it began in 2010.  I absolutely love my position as a developmental therapist and cherish the many relationships I have built with families over the years. You can reach me at [email protected].


Diane Kincade

Diane Kincade

I’m a graduate from MTSU with a B.S. degree in Early Childhood Education. I taught 3rd grade at Edmondson Elementary in Williamson County, before having four children of my own. I have taught in preschools, child care centers, the YMCA and worked for the Brentwood Library. I have worked as an Early Interventionist in Developmental Therapy for the past three years with the MTSU HCBEI program.  I enjoy meeting families at home, working in child care centers or working with children in a variety of settings in the community. It is a privilege working alongside families to guide, coach and help implement meaningful strategies to meet the individualized needs of their children. You can reach me at [email protected]


Tracey DeLong

Tracey DeLong

I am married with 2 teenage girls.  I am originally from Ohio but have lived in the Nashville area for over 20 years.  I have a Master’s degree in Child Development & Family Studies, from MTSU.  Prior to joining MTSU HCBEI, I was a pre-school teacher for 3 and 4-year old children.  I also spent time as a substitute teacher and volunteered at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, at my church in the Children’s Ministry Department, and with tutoring children at our local elementary school.   I also retired from the Air National Guard as a Chaplain Assistant.  I have a heart for serving children with developmental delays or disabilities and I have a deep respect for their caregivers.  Both of my daughters required several surgeries and hospitalizations at a very young age.  You can reach me at [email protected].


Cailin Bolden


Lauren Groth

Lauren Groth

My name is Lauren Groth. I am originally from northern Ohio and my husband, son and I moved to Murfreesboro in 2013. I worked in the childcare field as a teacher and then assistant director for about 10 years. I recently graduated with my Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development. I have always enjoyed working with children and their families, and I am so excited to be a part of MTSU’s HCBEI program. You can reach me at [email protected].


Shawn Newport

Shawn Newport

I am originally from Michigan and have lived in Rutherford County for the last 20 years. I am an MTSU Alumni and have my degree in Social Work. I have served children and families for many years through the school system, adoption and homeless agencies, and early intervention. I volunteer at my church’s special needs ministry and have loved doing so for over 15 years. I participated in building a respite program for children with special needs, Respite Night, at my church, which has grown to now serve over 60 children and their families. I served at TEIS as a Service Coordinator for 12 years before transitioning to Developmental Therapy. I have 2 girls, ages 20 and 22, a son-in-law, and 3 kitties. I love working with families and their children and am so excited to be walking alongside them. You can reach me at [email protected]


Regan Arcoman

Regan Arcoman

Hello! My name is Regan Arcomano and I am a Murfreesboro native. I graduated earlier this year from MTSU with my bachelor’s degree in Child Development and Family Studies. I have worked with children in both volunteer and professional capacities for several years. In 2021, I married my high school sweetheart, and we have one sweet kitty named Timmy. I have a passion for working hands-on with children and their families to support them and facilitate their growth and development. You can reach me at [email protected].


Carrie Neill

Carrie Neill

My name is Carrie Neill, and I was born and raised in Shelbyville, TN. I have always had a passion for working with children. I graduated from Motlow State Community College with my Associates in Early Childhood Education, and I then went on to graduate from MTSU with my Bachelor’s in Interdisciplinary Studies (K-5). After graduating, I started my career teaching elementary school in various grade levels as well as one-on-one tutoring. During that time, I learned just how impactful early intervention and parent support could be for children in achieving their goals. I am thrilled to work as an Early Interventionist with MTSU’s HCBEI Program because I get to build closer relationships with families and guide them in helping their young child achieve their goals through fun, everyday routines and activities. You can reach me at [email protected].


Diana Clarady

Diana Clarady

After growing up in Middle Tennessee, I received my undergraduate and graduate degrees in Kentucky. I received my Masters of Arts in Education from the University of Kentucky as my husband and I trained and worked as foster parents with the Department of Community Based Services. My teaching experience began with training college students and continued by teaching English Language Arts to high school students and then creative arts to elementary children. I’ve spent the last 5 years teaching preschool children of all ages in every capacity, including Spanish. Through all of this, intervention work with the children and families has been a focus and passion of mine. I look forward to sharing this passion as an Early Intervention Specialist with HCBEI.

You can reach me at [email protected].


Sara Meador

Sara Meador

I have lived in Rutherford County all of my life and married my high school sweetheart in 2017.

In 2018 I received my degree from MTSU in Child Development and Family Studies. My husband and I have one sweet baby girl, Georgia, and 2 crazy Australian Shepherds. My hobbies include anything related to art, spending time with family, and watching movies! I previously worked in childcare management until discovering Early Intervention! I have loved working with families in our program since 2021.  You can reach me at [email protected].         


Kim Williamson

Kim Williamson

I earned a bachelor’s degree from MTSU back in 2002! I began my journey working with children and families through a behavior intervention program called Regional Intervention Program (RIP). I trained parents on positive behavior techniques to help with their children’s behavior. It was there that my passion grew for working with not only children but the entire family. I left RIP to stay at home with my son and it was when he was about 2 yrs. old that I learned about TEIS and began getting speech services through them.  We later became a part of the pre-k program through the school system when he turned 3. I have personally experienced how life changing early intervention services can be, so of course when I got an opportunity to be a part of that community I was thrilled. You can reach me at [email protected].


Debbie Estes

Debbie Estes

My name is Debbie Estes. I am married with a 12-year-old granddaughter who has lived most of her life with me. I play an active role in her growth and development which can be quite challenging at times. I have 2 adult children and 10 grandchildren. I enjoy spending time with them which gives me “hands on “experience in relating to families and children with various needs. EstesI was born and raised in Murfreesboro leaving for several years to later return. I received my B.S. in Social Work at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, and my Master of Social Work at University of Arkansas at Little Rock. I also have my American Montessori International (AMI) certification I received in Phoenix, Arizona.

I have many years of experience in working with children and their families. I have done family counseling, taught pre-school Montessori, been a family services coordinator at a low-income daycare, and been a Social Worker in developmental pre-school centers including the Ann Campbell Early Learning Center, formerly Project HELP.

Most recently, I retired form Tennessee’s Early Intervention System (TEIS) as a Service Coordinator after 22 years. After a brief break to travel and do some things I hadn’t had the time for, I returned to what I love doing and joined MTSU/HCBEI as a Developmental Therapist. I missed the families and children I served as well as being involved in something meaningful that would have its impact on others. It is an honor now to be invited into family’s homes and be engaged in their lives. I have a deep appreciation for the challenges families face and it’s a joy to work alongside them supporting them and watching their children progress.

In my spare time, I love to read. I also enjoy all types of outdoor activities-hiking and boating and just being out in nature. I have traveled and spent time at many of the Tennessee State Parks, some of the National Parks and the beaches of Florida. I recently have taken up pickleball. I also am involved in several programs and activities at my church.

I’m excited to be a part of the MTSU/HCBEI team and look forward to building relationships with children and their families. You can reach me at [email protected].


Stacy Ballentine

Stacy Ballentine

Hi my name is Stacy Ballentine. I am originally from San Francisco, CA. I lived in New Jersey for 6 years before moving to Tennessee with my family in late 2018. My husband and four young children live in Manchester, TN. I graduated with my BA from San Francisco State University. After graduating I worked in the preschool setting working directly with young children and families. Over the last five years I have worked closely with the family unit in a variety of setting including the education field, providing domestic violence services and mental health services. I am thrilled to be a part of the MTSU HCBEI team. I look forward to providing quality care to families to reach each individual goal and meet the unique needs for each family. I can be reached at [email protected] 


Chanan Catlin

Chanan Catlin

I am a graduate of Tennessee State University. Since recieving my degree, I have lived by the University’s motto “Think. Work. Serve.” For over a decade I have served the children of Middle Tennessee in several different capacities, including mentoring, tutoring, and teaching. While working hard to make sure every child has had the opportunity to achieve their dreams, I was able to receive my TECTA certification and complete the coursework to become a Behavior Technician.

When I am not serving children of the community, I am spending time with my husband and our two children. Activities we enjoy together are family trips to the zoo and aquarium, gardening, and cooking.

I am thankful to be a part of the MTSU Home and Community Based Early Intervention Program. It is always a privilege to work together with families to assist them in implementing meaningful strategies to meet the needs of their children. Having experienced how life changing early intervention services can be to a child, their immediate family and extended family, I am honored to be a Developmental Therapist. You can reach me at [email protected].


Jessica Futrell

Jessica Futrell

Hey y’all! My name is Jessica Futrell and I am so excited and grateful to be able to do what I love and to be a part of the M.T.S.U. HCBEI Community at the same time. I was born in Detroit, Michigan and moved to Smyrna, Tennessee in 1996 with my mom, brother, and grandmother. I graduated with Honors from Smyrna High School in 2001. My journey with M.T.S.U. started in January of 2003 and ended in May 2011. In that time, I obtained my Bachelor of Science degree (Cum Laude) in Early Childhood Education in May of 2008 and started my master’s degree in education, at M.T.S.U. until May 2011. I continued my pursuit towards my M.Ed. at Lipscomb University until May 2013; I have earned 27 Graduate Credit Hours in Education between both M.T.S.U. and Lipscomb University. I have since then put a pause on finishing my M.Ed. to spend more time with my 3 amazing children; Jax, 16, Ray, 9, and Olivia 8. When I am not working, I enjoy doing just about anything and my favorite thing is spending time with family and friends. 

I have had the opportunity to work with children with and without disabilities, parents/guardians in many roles, fellow educators and therapists in a variety of settings; this versatility has helped me in my career in many ways. I was blessed to have had the opportunity to work with the R.I.P. Program, taught Pre-K through the Metro Action Commission with Head Start, taught at a private preschool working with students with special needs in Williamson County, and I have taught both Pre-K and Kindergarten in Rutherford County. The opportunity to work with the HCBEI Program at the University where my Early Childhood Education journey began is a blessing. My passion to teach and help children started with a 6th Grade Teacher who made learning fun and meaningful. I intend to be a part of the HCBEI Program for many years to come! You can reach me at [email protected].


Sarah Dee

Sarah Dee

Hi! My name is Sarah Dee and I am a graduate of MTSU’s Child Development and Family Studies program. Growing up, I always knew I wanted to work with children, especially those between birth to 5 years old. I am fascinated with child development and interning with the MTSU Home and Community-Based Early Intervention allowed me to utilize the information I have learned over the past 4 years! I am grateful for this experience and look forward to serving families and children as a newly hired early interventionist! You can reach me at [email protected].