BARBARA A. DRAYTON currently serves as deputy general counsel for the South Carolina Department of Education, providing legal assistance in the areas of special education, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, Medicaid, and general school law. Ms. Drayton oversees the state's federally-mandated special education dispute resolution processes, which include the investigation of written complaints, mediation, and due process hearings. She provides training, consultation and assistance to the department, the State Board of Education and school districts/agencies regarding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and other matters related to the education of students with disabilities. Ms. Drayton also works with parent training, advocacy and other interested groups across the state. She is a frequent lecturer in her areas of expertise. Ms. Drayton earned her B.A. degree in political science from the University of South Carolina and her J.D. degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law. She is a member of the South Carolina Bar, the Education Law Association, and the South Carolina Women's Law Association.

DR. LAURA B. HOLLAND is the executive director of special services with York School District #2 (Clover) where she is responsible for programing and compliance for the IDEA and 504 plans in the school district. She is a member of the Council for Exceptional Children (C.E.C.), and she is part of C.E.C's Division of Council for Administrators of Special Education (C.A.S.E.). Dr. Holland earned her B.S. degree from Winthrop University, her Ed.S. degree from Winthrop University, and her Ph.D. degree from the University of South Carolina.

DR. NANCY TURNER currently serves as director of exceptional student education for Rock Hill Schools/York 3, South Carolina. She has also served as director of exceptional children for Spartanburg School District 2, Cabarrus County Schools (North Carolina) and Union County Public Schools (North Carolina). Dr. Turner was a special education teacher and site administrator in Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District for 20 years. As a director of special education, she is responsible for oversight of all operations of the Districts’ Special Education Department. Dr. Turner is leading the district in specialized initiatives such as sudent-led IEP's, writing effective and compliant standards-based IEP's, as well as positive behavior intervention supports (PBIS) with a focus on restorative practices for reducing suspensions. She has most recently provided a variety of strategic and effective mental health interventions for students in crisis, such as ACE's training, district-wide book studies, as well as on-line modules for all teaching staff focused on trauma-informed classrooms. Dr. Turner is currently collaborating with MUSC (Medical University of South Carolina), as well as Thompson Child and Family Behavioral Health Center to submit grants for intensive mental health services for students struggling with mental health challenges in Rock Hill Schools. She has had the opportunity to adjunct at both Winthrop University and the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. Dr. Turner received her B.S. and M.A. from Eastern Michigan University, principal certification/administration from University of North Carolina-Charlotte, and earned her Ed.D. in special education administration from the University of South Carolina in Columbia.