Intro from K Lavergne

Greetings from the Blue Ridge Mountains!

Being an itinerant teacher who travels down back country roads and up and down mountains has given me a chance to enjoy some of the most beautiful countryside in Southwest Virginia while fulfilling my passion! Since I began working for Allied Instructional Services (AIS) in 2012, I have worked in many school districts throughout the New River Valley and other areas of Southwest Virginia. My career journey has been full of twists and turns, but there’s no place I would rather be than doing what I love!

It is always interesting to me how people get into the field of blindness and many never intend to, but come through unique experiences or circumstances. For me, I wanted to be an optometrist and majored in Chemistry (yes, that’s right, I LOVE science and math!) in undergrad. While in optometry school, I decide to shift gears (slightly) and got a Master’s degree from Salus University in Orientation and Mobility. After moving to Colorado, I then received my M.S. from University of Northern Colorado in Severe Needs: Vision.

I have been a teacher for students with blindness/visual impairment and a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist for over 17 years, working in Colorado Springs for 8 years before moving to Virginia.

After a few years in a public school setting in southwest VA, I began working as a Vision/O&M Services Coordinator for Allied Instructional Services, where I have the opportunity to mentor other vision teachers and O&M instructors. I still maintain a caseload in several school districts as well, which allows me to continue working with students who are blind or visually impaired.

I am looking forward to sharing stories, thoughts, and resources with everyone and learning from you as we journey together through each school year. Here’s to a wonderful school year! 

Kristen