PIER Board Members
Laura Binder
President
I am a wife and mother of four children. Two of our children have
several learning and mental health concerns. The two children with concerns are
homeschooled by me. Our oldest daughter is in Kindergarten.
Before having a family, I attended the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point where I earned my degree in regular education, environmental education and special education cross categorical certification. I taught for many years in the Marshfield School District as a substitute teacher, and I also counseled for the summer programs at the Marshfield School District School Forest. I have tutored several students and worked at various camps including the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station
Currently, I am a "stay at home mom". My husband Bob and I, operate a dairy farm and produce store.
In 2013 I established the Anger Me Not Foundation with the help of PIER WI. Our goal at the foundation is to help educate parents through speakers sharing "hands on" modeling of techniques that can aid both parents and professionals find the right learning/teaching path to meet their needs.
Before having a family, I attended the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point where I earned my degree in regular education, environmental education and special education cross categorical certification. I taught for many years in the Marshfield School District as a substitute teacher, and I also counseled for the summer programs at the Marshfield School District School Forest. I have tutored several students and worked at various camps including the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station
Currently, I am a "stay at home mom". My husband Bob and I, operate a dairy farm and produce store.
In 2013 I established the Anger Me Not Foundation with the help of PIER WI. Our goal at the foundation is to help educate parents through speakers sharing "hands on" modeling of techniques that can aid both parents and professionals find the right learning/teaching path to meet their needs.
"May we live life not by our fears, but by our hopes."
Pam Ironside
Founder / Past President/Current Treasurer
I am a wife and mom of two adult children.
Our son is married and living in Marshall, WI.
Our daughter - who has significant intellectual and developmental delays, lives with Bob and I in Wisconsin
Rapids. Our daughter will be moving into her own home, hopefully my the end of 2016!
I am currently employed by New Horizons North out of Ashland as Wood, Portage and Marathon County's, Lifespan Respite Coordinator.
I continue to work closely with Wisconsin FACETS - VPL, Family Voices, and other business and agencies to share resources and information. I am an active committee member on: Healthy People Wood County- Mental Health , Project Lifesaver - Wood County, United Way of Inner Wisconsin - Early Years and Supportive Community Health Services, Caring Hands, Wood County CST and Wood County Children's Advisory and last but not least, CIP Coordination Committee.
I have been trained through Early Learning Network, Wisconsin FACETS, CESA/ WSPEI, Parents in Partnership and Wisconsin's Family Voices and New Horizons in resources and information supporting individuals, children and youth with special health care needs.
Through the inspiration and support of the many great parent leaders I have been honored to know and learn from, are what has lead me on a path to developing PIER and working to support children and families here in Central Wisconsin.
I coordinate PIER activities, resources, newsletter and parent connectors.
Our son is married and living in Marshall, WI.
Our daughter - who has significant intellectual and developmental delays, lives with Bob and I in Wisconsin
Rapids. Our daughter will be moving into her own home, hopefully my the end of 2016!
I am currently employed by New Horizons North out of Ashland as Wood, Portage and Marathon County's, Lifespan Respite Coordinator.
I continue to work closely with Wisconsin FACETS - VPL, Family Voices, and other business and agencies to share resources and information. I am an active committee member on: Healthy People Wood County- Mental Health , Project Lifesaver - Wood County, United Way of Inner Wisconsin - Early Years and Supportive Community Health Services, Caring Hands, Wood County CST and Wood County Children's Advisory and last but not least, CIP Coordination Committee.
I have been trained through Early Learning Network, Wisconsin FACETS, CESA/ WSPEI, Parents in Partnership and Wisconsin's Family Voices and New Horizons in resources and information supporting individuals, children and youth with special health care needs.
Through the inspiration and support of the many great parent leaders I have been honored to know and learn from, are what has lead me on a path to developing PIER and working to support children and families here in Central Wisconsin.
I coordinate PIER activities, resources, newsletter and parent connectors.
Mary Jo Warner
Vice President / Chief Financial
I have served in many capacities with PIER over the last 10 years. For the past 11 plus years, I have served as the treasurer of Autism Society of Central Wisconsin.
My interest in pursuing advocacy for the people we serve comes from my personal struggles with my own special needs children and the lack of knowledge of resources in the community.
I have served as a coordinator of the local Vita program, preparing income taxes for low income elderly, and special needs families.
I have a BA degree in accounting, an Associate's Degree in Computer Science.
I have been a WI FACETS - Parent Volunteer, and am planning to renewing my voluntary leadership role with FACETS.
Todate my role in PIER includes advocacy for special needs families in the school setting, attaining services for children and adults in their pursuit of community service and providing education material to the school districts, care providers, and families in the community.
My interest in pursuing advocacy for the people we serve comes from my personal struggles with my own special needs children and the lack of knowledge of resources in the community.
I have served as a coordinator of the local Vita program, preparing income taxes for low income elderly, and special needs families.
I have a BA degree in accounting, an Associate's Degree in Computer Science.
I have been a WI FACETS - Parent Volunteer, and am planning to renewing my voluntary leadership role with FACETS.
Todate my role in PIER includes advocacy for special needs families in the school setting, attaining services for children and adults in their pursuit of community service and providing education material to the school districts, care providers, and families in the community.
Karen Rahm Secretary I am one of the founding members that helped in the development of PIER. I have served in a number of roles within PIER over the 10 plus years.
I have 2 sons on the Autism spectrum. My passion is helping other families like mine who have children with special needs, understand and access information needed to help their families. My background was a legal secretary/office manager. My life’s work has become understanding the many causes, therapies and interventions that help us understand and help our individuals who are on the Autism Spectrum My husband and I live in Stevens Point with our 3 sons. Our oldest son is in transition from school to adult, our middle is going to college, and our youngest attends SPASH. 
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