We have a talented Project INSPIRE 2 team.
Dr. Tina Herzberg: Dr. Herzberg, the Principal Investigator for Project INSPIRE 2, is a Professor at USC Upstate where she has coordinated the Visual Impairment Education Program since 2007. She has broad expertise in developing distance education materials and teaching braille in higher education. Dr. Herzberg is a certified teacher of students with visual impairments as well as a secondary mathematics and English teacher. She is a member of the Braille Formats Technical Committee for the Braille Authority of North America.
From 2009-2014, Dr. Herzberg was the principal investigator for the project The Possibilities are Endless: Providing Braille Throughout South Carolina (BrailleSC). Materials developed through BrailleSC are available on Paths to Literacy. In addition, from 2019-2024 she was the principal investigator for Project INSPIRE: Increasing the STEM Potential of Individuals who Read Braille. Materials developed through Project INSPIRE are also on Paths to Literacy. She is a co-author for the book Learning and Teaching the Nemeth Code within UEB Contexts: A Step-by-Step Guide.
Dr. L. Penny Rosenblum: Dr. Rosenblum is the Project Director for Project INSPIRE 2 and was a consultant for Project INSPIRE. She is the owner of Vision for Independence, LLC. From 2016-2019, she was the Project Director for the AnimalWatch Vi: Building Graphics Literacy project. She has been a teacher of students with visual impairments since 1986. From 1997-2019 she prepared teachers and conducted research at Florida State University and then The University of Arizona. Dr. Rosenblum has authored numerous publications and presented at conferences both in the United States and internationally. She is a co-author for the book Learning and Teaching the Nemeth Code within UEB Contexts: A Step-by-Step Guide.
Mrs. Alyssa Dickerson Moody: Mrs. Dickerson Moody is an alumni of USC Upstate and has worked as an Administrative Coordinator for the College of Education, Human Performance, and Health since 2015.
Dr. Chris Bischke: Dr. Bischke is a UEB Math/Science Consultant for Project INSPIRE 2. She is a Professor and Program Coordinator for the Visual Impairments program at the University of Utah. She teaches university level courses focused on UEB Math/Science. She has been a licensed TVI (birth – 5 and 5 – 21) for over 20 years and taught in the schools/early intervention program for over 10 years.
Dr. Olaya Landa-Vialard: Dr. Landa-Vialard is the Culturally Responsive Consultant for Project INSPIRE 2. She has an extensive career in bilingual education and education of students with visual impairments. She is currently the Director of the ConnectCenter at the American Printing House for the Blind.
Ms. Sara Larkin: Mrs. Larkin is the Student Programs Consultant for Project INSPIRE 2. She is the statewide math consultant for the Iowa Educational Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired. In this role since 2007, she works with teachers of students with visual impairments, classroom teachers, paraeducators, and students. Mrs. Larkin provides trainings and supports on Nemeth Code, math technology, tactile graphics, abacus, and instructional strategies for teaching students who are blind or have low vision. She currently serves on the Ad Hoc Committee on Standardized Tests for the Braille Authority of North America. Previously she served 18 years as a high school math and computer programming teacher in the general education classroom. During those years, she also worked with students who were preparing for and participating in math competitions. She is a co-author for the book Learning and Teaching the Nemeth Code within UEB Contexts: A Step-by-Step Guide. Mrs. Larkin was a consultant for Project INSPIRE.
Ms. Susan Osterhaus: Ms. Osterhaus is a PD Course Consultant for Project INSPIRE 2. She has over 45 years of experience in teaching mathematics to students with visual impairments at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired and is currently the Statewide Mathematics Consultant in the Outreach Program. She is nationally and internationally recognized for her work to support the math skills of students with visual impairments and their teachers. Ms. Osterhaus serves on the Nemeth and Tactile Graphics committees for the Braille Authority of North America and collaborates on many math-related projects throughout the U.S. and internationally. She is a co-author of Nemeth at a Glance: A Math Resource, Grade-Level Chart, and Evaluation Tool, the Nemeth Braille Code Curriculum, and Learning and Teaching the Nemeth Code within UEB Contexts: A Step-by-Step Guide.. Ms. Osterhaus was a consultant for Project INSPIRE.
Alexis Redford, M.Ed.: Mrs. Redford is a UEB Math/Science Consultant for Project INSPIRE 2. She is a licensed TSVI and a doctoral candidate at the University of Utah. Her work aims to influence practice, research, and policy within the field of visual impairments, with a focus on improving student access, promoting equity, and enhancing teacher preparation.
Mr. Michael Cantino: Mr. Cantino is an educator, braille transcriber, and AT specialist living in Portland, Oregon. He is currently serving as the BVIS Technology Professional Development Specialist for Oregon’s public schools. He specializes in creating accessible materials for complex subject matter, including art, STEM, and wayfinding. He has participated in extensive research into the use of 3D printed models for blind learners, and his 3D printed tactile art is on display at the Portland Art Museum. He also works with Raised Mathematics, a project focused on creating an automated braille-conversion process for college-level math textbooks (with tactile graphics!) and improving math accessibility on the web.
Mr. Nathan Widener: Mr. Widener is the Media Production Specialist for Project INSPIRE 2. He has extensive experience editing and producing videos. He attended the University of Oklahoma where he graduated in 2001 with a degree in Broadcast and Electronic Media. Since 2014, he has been working to create video, audio, and other media at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Working predominantly in the Outreach Department at TSBVI, he helps the Visual Impairment and Deafblind consultants to create continuing education and online learning products that are used by educators statewide and across the nation.