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Tracking Rare Incidence SyndromesStaff |
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Dr. Bruns has published in professional journals on the topics of family-centered practices, parent-professional relationships, and early childhood transitions. She has presented at regional and national conferences on these topics as well as cultural diversity in early childhood programs. She is active in state and national level organizations focusing on young children with disabilities and their families. Dr. Bruns has had an interest in rare trisomy conditions for over 10 years. She began as a classroom teacher in New York City working with young children with multiple disabilities including preschoolers diagnosed with trisomy 18 and, now, as the principal investigator for the Tracking Rare Incidence Syndromes (TRIS) project.
Her nursing background includes working as a medication/treatment nurse in geriatric and convalescent settings, temporary staff relief registry work for acute care facilities, private duty nursing, running her own special needs daycare home for over 20 yrs, and currently working as her own daughter's In Home Support Services' worker. Ms Lockwood is a long time member of several on-line rare trisomy support list servs. And as such she has actively participated in numerous letter and/or e-mail writing campaigns advocating better treatment for rare trisomy children. She has also peer counseled newer parents, worked with Dr. Bruns on developing the "Riding The Trisomy Rollercoaster: Caring For Children With Low Incidence Syndrome" poster presentation for the Oct ' 03 Washington, DC Division of Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children Conference, and is currently the Research Coordinator for the Tracking Rare Incidence Syndromes (TRIS) Project.
“I am very excited to be involved with the TRIS project. I want to learn as much as I can from the families and other professionals involved. I know that this will be a very valuable experience for me.”
For the past six years Katie has worked at an organization in the northwest suburbs of Chicago called (North West Special Recreation Association, NWSRA). She works there assisting children of all ages with disabilities in inclusive recreational activities. “It’s been a great learning experience, and I have been able to meet so many families and children.” Ms. Foerster annually volunteers at the spring track and field Special Olympics, and the Polar Plunge. “I feel that this will be an experience of a life time. I am so excited to learn more about the TRIS project and different ways we can make a difference. The family interaction is my favorite part though, because I love to meet new people and be able to interact and learn on a one on one basis.”
Over the past seven years, Jessica has worked in the childcare field with children of various ages and through numerous programs such as summer programs, after school care, tutoring assistance, and as an assistant teacher at the Child Development Laboratory on SIUC’s campus. “Being with young children has been a part of who I am ever since I can remember. Through my coursework and experience, I have been able to find my passion for learning about all aspects of early childhood special education”, explains Jessica. “I believe that working with the TRIS project will be a wonderful experience for me. I look forward to bringing what I know as well as learning as much as I can about TRIS and the people and professionals that it affects. I am excited to meet new people, learn their story and use that as a means to help others!
Before that, he cotaught “An Adventure of the American Mind,” which teaches K-12 teachers how use the Library of Congress’s American Memory database to create a multimedia curriculum for their students. Since 1995, he has been a technical editor, working on more than 125 books relating to the Internet, Web Servers, HTML, Operating Systems and Office Applications. Originally planning to work in television production, his interest turned to computers while working on an undergraduate internship at Square One TV, a children’s mathematics show produced by the Children’s Television Workshop in New York City. Bill holds bachelors degrees in Telecommunications and English Literature from Indiana University and a Masters of Public Administration from New York University.
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Deborah A. Bruns is an Associate Professor in the 
Shirley Truesdale Lockwood ("Fawna") is the parent of an adult with partial trisomy 6p, and a Licensed Vocational Nurse by education. She also received an AA degree from Cuesta Community College, San Luis Obispo, CA. in 1973.
Marissa Cooley-Code is a doctoral student at 
Katie Foerster is an undergraduate student at Southern Illinois University. She is currently working toward her bachelor’s degree in Special Education along with a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, she plans to teach at the elementary level in the Chicagoland area. She is interested in pursuing a master’s degree in Deaf Education.
Jessica Clayton is an undergraduate student at Southern Illinois University - Carbondale. She is currently a senior and is working toward her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education with an approval for Early Childhood Special Education. Upon graduation, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education. She has a career goal of working in the field of early intervention with young children with disabilities and their families.
Bill Bruns is the TRIS Webmaster. He is the Deputy Director for the 
Fred Hees is a Local Area Network Administrator for the