The new board members of Jocotepec’s School for Special Needs Children (formerly School for the Deaf) are ready to launch a new mission, programs and fundraising plans for the upcoming 2014-2015 school year and season.
President Mary-Dale Wilson and Vice President Maritza Freyslinger are pleased with the talent, education and experience board members are bringing to the table. The members of the board include Mary Ellen McCann, Sonia Ulloa, Karen Richardson, Robin Lawrason, and Jim Lloyd.
Wilson earned a doctorate in education and worked in mainstream, prison and special education, as well as child welfare. Freyslinger’s doctorate is in clinical psychology. Prior to retirement in 2010, she worked 17 years in hospitals and her own clinic in Ontario. A previous career gave her 20 years’ experience in the information systems field with positions from technical programming to managing business partner in one of Canada’s largest consulting firms.
McCann, the group’s recording secretary, holds degrees in special education for the hearing impaired and emotionally disturbed, and in special education administration. She taught the hearing impaired, the hearing and sight impaired and was the administrator of the hearing impaired program in Marin County, California and director of the Blind Children’s Center in Los Angeles. McCann has been involved in numerous charities since moving to lakeside in 2005.
Treasurer Sonia Ulloa has over 20 years experience in accounting, administration and human resources, both in Mexico and the United States. In Houston, Ulloa was a liaison for the Hispanic Community and personal translator for one of the Archdiocese’s bishops, and a member of the choir. She moved to Lake Chapala in 2010 and immediately became active in the community, while assisting her husband with his physical therapy practice.
Richardson, one of the public relations personnel, has a degree in finance from Georgia State and a degree in interior design from Ryerson University in Toronto. She owned two design companies, Just Faux Fun, a mural business for which she received Entrepreneur of the Year, and High Heeled Interiors. Richardson moved to Ajijic with her husband, David, in 2009 and worked with an art program for Love in Action.
Robin Lawrason, who is also working in public relations, has a doctorate in educational technology and spent 34 years as a teacher and administrator. He taught high school English and worked in university media communications in Toronto, Florida, Arizona, Vancouver and Philadelphia. Lawrason developed and ran a multi-media and computer lab for faculty and students at Temple University. After moving to Ajijic in 1998, he was a three-time president and on the board of directors for Niños Incapacitados, and has worked with Love in Action, Lakeside Little Theater, the Ajijic Film Festival and the Ajijic AIDS Committee.
Member-at-large Lloyd has a master’s degree in theology and worked 33 years within the Episcopal Church. He served as president of the AIDS Committee for the Diocese of New Jersey, and served on the board of the Friends of Moore College of Art. Lloyd was president of the Coffee Cup, a program serving the elderly in Philadelphia which earned him the city’s 1979 Human Rights Award for his service. He has lived in Ajijic for 16 years during which time he has served on boards for the Lakeside Little Theater, the Ajijic Film Festival, Love in Action, and committees for the Naked Stage and Ajijic Cares, for AIDS support committee.
Making improvements in the school facility is the first priority of the board. Upcoming projects include cleaning and repairing the aljibe, installation of hot water in the kitchen and bathrooms, adding night lighting to the administrative area and building an entry ramp for wheelchair-bound students.
Of primary concern is finding a driver and allocating funds for the use of the new van given to the school for busing students by DIF. A generous donation by long-time supporter Norine Rose helped fund many of the school’s needed repairs.
The board has launched a competition for a new graphic logo to better reflect the school’s broadened mission to serve a wider variety of special needs students. Local artists are encouraged submit designs to Karen Richardson via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. before August 30. The winner will be announced by Efren Gonzalez in a September 26 event at the Ajijic Cultural Center.
The year’s schedule of fundraisers will begin with the September logo competition followed by an October Movie Night for local children in conjunction with a benefit concert by folk singer Paco Padillo. The event will be organized by Principal Imelda Camacho. The school’s popular House Tours resume on November 13 and the 35th anniversary of the school will be celebrated in an event organized by Richardson on November 18.
A favorite school fundraiser, the Auction Fashion Show under the guidance of Leslie Martin and Christine Olszewski, is set for December 4. Supporters will be treated to a student Christmas concert and open house. The popular annual Christmas Home Tour to four fabulous homes is scheduled for December 11.
The new year will be marked by the school’s rib fest at the February 2015 Chili Cookoff, The annual gala dinner/dance on February 19 is being planned by Lloyd and Martin. The board promises many improvements at the school and fun events to fund them, including more events and surprises in March.