Our Leadership

Dr. Scott Turner has worked in the field of special education for over 15 years. He has held positions as an Early Childhood Education Specialist, Program Specialist (K-12), Special Education Site Principal, SELPA Director, and currently as an Executive Director of a Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA).  Dr. Turner holds an Education Specialist credential and an Administrative Services Credential.  He has a Master of Science in Special Education, an Administrative Services Credential, and Doctorate in PreK-12 Educational Leadership.  Dr. Turner's undergraduate degree was in Criminal Justice and Sociology, and his childhood dream was to obtain a career in law enforcement.  In his junior year of undergrad he worked as an instructional assistant, altering his career path and commitment towards students with disabilities.

Melanie Hertig received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Azusa Pacific University and started her career working with young children with disabilities as an early intervention ABA home program provider in the San Gabriel Valley.  This experience led her to a career as a School Psychologist where she supported the district with assessing for Autism as well as preschool special education assessments. Melanie has held positons as a Preschool School Psychologist, Preschool Special Education Administrator and Special Education Director in Riverside County.  She is currently the Executive Director of Special Education/SELPA for Irvine USD in Orange County and continues to hold the special education preschoolers close to her heart.

Marion Springett served as a school psychologist for 14 years before stepping into an administrative leadership position for 6 years at the La Tierra Early Childhood Center in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District.  In her work, Marion has passionately and proactively served children and families from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.  Marion holds a Master's Degree in Education, a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology, a Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Psychology, and an Administrative Services Credential.  She is currently also an adjunct instructor at Orange Coast College, in the Coast College Community District, where she has successfully taught a variety of courses pertaining to early childhood, human development, assessment, and educational law.