President 
Tracie Chauvin

Tracie Chauvin, LSCSW is the Director of Student Support Programs for Kansas City Kansas Public Schools. 

Vice President  
Teresa Palmer

Past President
Cheri Koochel

Cheri was a SSW in the Manhattan/Odgen school district for 26 years at the elementary school level. Before that she worked with DCF for 8 years, She retired 5 years ago and currently lives in Salina. In her spare time she enjoys reading, gardening, traveling with her husband, and spending time with friends and family, especially her grandchildren. 

Secretary: 
Nicole Gilmore

Nicole Gilmore, LMSW, is an Assistant Principal at Winfield Scott Elementary in Fort Scott, Kansas. Previously, she was a Special Education School Social Worker with the SEK Interlocal #637 at The Learning Center (an alternative day school program) in Girard, KS servicing students K-12 across 13 districts for 6 years. 
She received her MSW from the University of Washington-Seattle, and her BSW from the University of Kansas. Additionally, she obtained her principal certification through Pittsburg State University.
She was the Social Work Speciality Team Member for KU Medical Center's Project ECHO for School-Based Mental Health Professionals for the 2023-24 school year, and is currently an Adjunct Instructor through the University of Kansas.
She serves as Secretary of KSSWA, and has been on the KSSWA Board since 2021.

Treasurer:  

Gerri Blaisdell

Gerri Blaisdell, LMSW, has been the School Social Worker at Chase County Elementary School, USD 284 for the last 5 years.  Prior to that she was an outpatient/in-home therapist, worked in child welfare, and as a Hospital Social Worker.  Outside of work Gerri enjoys spending time with her husband, 2 kids, and dogs, reading, spending time with friends, and taking naps.

Membership Chair: 
 Jessica O'Flannagan

Member-at-Large:  Julie Gomez

Julie (Julia) Gomez, LSCSW has been a School Social Worker since August, 2005.  Eighteen of those years at USD 321 Kaw Valley Schools,  and now starting her first year at USD 437 in Washburn Rural High School.  During this time she has also worked PRN for Hospice and the Crisis Stabilization Unit, both in Manhattan, KS.   Julie is serving on the Board as Member at Large and is excited to advocate for School Social Work.  

Communications Chair: Kasey Bossard

Legislative Chair: 
Sara Nowak  

Professional Development Chair: Shelby Burnett

 
 Shelby Burnett, LCSW, LSCSW, RPT, has been a passionate school social worker since August 2018. Shelby completed her Bachelor's and Master's in Social Work at the University of Kansas. She is working towards her Doctorate of Social Work degree, focusing on school social work leadership, expanding opportunities for social workers in the school system, and expanding youth mental health services in schools. Shelby has been on the KSSWA board since 2022, first serving as the Legislative Chair. In addition to her time on the board, Shelby was awarded the KSSWA Kansas School Social Worker of the Year in 2024 and serves as a member of the Deans Student Advisory Board at KU. When she is not doing social work things, she enjoys spending time with her husband, 3 kids, and her two dogs.

Northwest Representative: Karen Sullivan

Karen Sullivan, LMSW, is the NW Regional Representative. She works for Colby Public Schools USD 315 as a School Social Worker. Karen moved back to NW Kansas after completing her Masters in Social Work at Washburn University in 2008. She has worked in education as a School Social Worker since 2009.

Northeast Co-Representative:  

 If interested in being a student representative please e-mail KSSWA

Northeast Co-Representative: Annie Lindgren

Southwest Co-Representative: Lindsey Sill 

Southwest Co-Representative: 

 If interested in being a student representative please e-mail KSSWA

Southeast Co-Representative: Brenna Forbes

Brenna Forbes, LMSW, is a second year Special Education School Social Worker with the SEK Interlocal #637, working at TLC (The Learning Center) in Girard, KS. She primarily works with students with autism and elementary. 
Brenna received her MSW from the University of Kansas and her BSW from Pittsburg State University. 

Southeast Co-Representative: Caitlyn Dailey

KSDE Liaison:  
Trish Backman

Fort Hays Faculty Liaison:  Rekala Tuxhorn

Wichita State University Faculty Liaison:  

Washburn Faculty Liaison:  Kim Harrison

Kansas University Faculty Liaison:  Kelly Jones

Newman University Faculty Liaison: Vanessa Rials

Washburn Student Representative: Mandy Hermann

KU Student Representative: 

 If interested in being a student representative please e-mail KSSWA

Newman University Student Representative:

 If interested in being a student representative please e-mail KSSWA  

WSU Student Representative: 

 If interested in being a student representative please e-mail KSSWA

FHSU Student Representative: Bailey Zerger