STEPS
Skills, Training and Education for Personal Success
Vocational Training and Educational Options for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities​
Christine Price
Program Coordinator
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Christine Price has spent more than 20 years working in education and administration. Her passion for helping individuals learn and grow has not only enriched her own life, but the lives of her hundreds of students. She has a Bachelor of Science of Education, a Masters in Special Needs (Mild to Moderate Intervention Specialist), and has been with the Austin Community College STEPS program since 2010, where she is now the coordinator. In 2020, she was invited and accepted as a council member of the Advisory Council on Postsecondary Education for Persons with IDD through the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). In her free time, Chris is a gifted artist who works in a variety of mediums to create unique forms and visuals designed to stir the spirit. She also is excited to bring her vast knowledge of education and her passion to William’s School in order to better the lives of every student in attendance.
Sally Armenious
Instructor
Sally Armenious is a graduate of California State University-Long Beach where she received her Bachelor's degree in Sociology with a minor in Family Studies and Child Development. After graduating, Sally went on to become a Special Education Teacher Assistant in an elementary school. Sally has been volunteering in grade schools since 2011. Outside of elementary schools, Sally has also volunteered at her church as a middle school teacher for more than 15 years. Sally's passion for education and helping others success is what brought her to the STEPS program. Sally, her husband and two beautiful daughters moved to Austin, Texas from Los Angeles, California in 2016. They love Austin!
Chasma Hurst
Instructor
I was born and raised in the state of New Mexico. I attended Eastern New Mexico University and earned a Master’s degree in Education. Cannon Air Force Base, which is in New Mexico, is where I met my wonderful husband. The Air Force took us and our four adorable children on a journey across several states for many years. During that time, I had the opportunity to teach in various schools and school districts. My teaching experience ranges from 1st to 8th grade in all subject areas within diverse populations, and I’ve loved every moment of it! Not only did our relocation from base to base provide the opportunity to work in various schools, but I was also given the opportunity to volunteer time to our local churches as Youth Director and Youth Pastor Assistant. Everywhere the military took us, my love for working with young people, desire to help them achieve their goals and acquire skills necessary for success became some of my main focal points. I am now extremely excited to be transitioning to the college level and working with the STEPS Program to bring my love for teaching to the students who are ready to challenge themselves and watch their dreams become reality.
Tinita Coleman
Instructor
Tinita is a graduate of Alabama State University where is earned a Bachelor of Sciences in Rehabilitation Services with a concentration in Addiction Counseling and earned her Master of Healthcare Administration Purdue Global. She is a native of Selma, Alabama, she moved to Austin, Texas in August of 2022 from Fremont, California. While in California Tinita became a Registered Behavioral Technician, where she gained experience assisting behavior analysts in helping individuals on the autism spectrum develop social skills, as well as helping others with behavioral challenges. She has vast experience being a para-educator for elementary and middle school students, as well as experience as an ABA Therapist. Tinita was also an Independent Living Skill instructor where she specializes in helping individuals with learning or physical disabilities develop skills for independent living. Which included instruction in daily tasks, social interactions, personal care, and basic job skills. Overall, Tinita is truly excited to be a part of the ACC Steps Team!
Avaree Mayfield
Teaching Assistant
Avaree Mayfield is a graduate of Bastrop High School in 2017. She was introduced to the STEPS program and was a student for about 2 years. Avaree loved being in the STEPS program! She says, “it really taught me a lot, and it has really grown me. I have learned so much.” Then Avaree took classes on the CE side of ACC which was great as well because she was still able to learn more and more new things. Avaree was also introduced to the paraeducator program which she enjoyed. She passed the test then accepted her position at ACC during the Spring semester of 2022. She says she is beyond grateful for and now is so excited to say that she is the newest TA at ACC STEPS. In her free time, she loves to dance, listen to music, and hangout with her friends.
Vivian Baker
Teaching Assistant
Bio coming soon....
Tammy Hanna
Assistant Coordinator
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Tammy is a graduate of Prairie View A&M University where she earned a Bachelor of Social Work. A native of the Austin area and currently lives in Round Rock with her family. She has close to 30 years of experience working or volunteering in different aspects involved in social services. Education became an area of greatest interest and has experience in the public and charter settings. Her experience has been in several capacities ranging from elementary to high school as a Special Education Coordinator, Special Education, General Education Teacher, Tutor & Mental Health Advocate. Her greatest passion is working with individuals who for one reason or another have not had the opportunity to tap into their true abilities and assisting them to feel empowered to reach goals for their lives. Truly excited to be a part of a program that emphasizes the importance of education in preparing students for the workforce.
Beti Argun
Instructor
Beti Argun joined the STEPS program in February 2020. She is a doctoral graduate from The University of Texas at Austin in Government and has taught both at UT and at ACC as an instructor. When her son was diagnosed with autism, Beti took time off from teaching to turn her attention to her son’s educational needs. The years that followed enabled Beti to gain substantial experience in the theory, philosophy, and practice of special education; specifically, in teaching individuals with autism. When she returned to work as a STEPS instructor, Beti combined her previous classroom experience with teaching in one-on-one settings. Every student’s success, however big or little, is a great source of pride and pleasure for her.
Erica Chhem
Instructor
Hi, my name is Erica Chhem! I am excited to be an Instructor with the Austin Community College STEPS Program. Prior to working for Austin Community College, I have previously worked with, taught, & tutored various ages from daycare through adult aged. I am a former Elementary School Teacher, Special Education Aide, & Physical Education Aide. In addition to being a former educator I also owned and operated my own learning center in the Austin Area but decided to sale it during the pandemic. After working in the education field for so long I realized a need in the community to help those with disabilities that were not school age, those that were not old enough to be in school & those that have already aged out of high school. We made sure to hire those with intellectual or developmental disabilities and when we were not over capacity, we always welcomed new learners to join our learning center! It was great to contribute to the community that I live in, and it is great to be able to do so again. I have an Associates and Bachelors Degree with emphasis on Sociology and Education. I currently live here in the Austin Area with my husband, and our two children. I am a proud wife of an Army Veteran. I am also a child of military parents, a “Military Brat” so I grew up traveling to many places. In my free time I enjoy shopping, traveling, watching YouTube Food Reviewers, discovering new things, eating at new places, and spending time with friends and family. My favorite color is pink & teal, favorite authors are Judy Blume & Terry McMillian; and food is Asian Food, pizza & french fries!
Sally McMahon
Administrative Assistant
Sally McMahon was born and raised in Oregon, and graduated from Portland State University with her Bachelor Of Arts in Psychology in 2004. She went to work in residential psychiatric care for children and adolescents, and then realized that she wanted to try to reach kids who were at risk before they got into residential placement. She started working as a classroom assistant in alternative placements, and eventually went back and earned her Master of Science in Secondary Special Education in 2013. She has taught in a variety of classrooms ranging from middle school level to transition classroom from 18-21. She married her husband in 2014, and then we moved to Texas! She has taught both in Oregon and Texas, and was an instructor for STEPS for a short time in San Marcos before moving to a rural area outside of San Antonio. She has three children, and a variety of animals. She enjoys chatting with her turkeys and chickens, baking, painting, and being outdoors. She is so excited to be a part of the STEPS team again!
Renan Borge
Teaching Assistant
Renan is a native Austinite and move to Round Rock, Texas in 2001. Renan is a graduate of the VoCAT program. He went on to Austin Community College to receive a certificate in business administration. In late 2011, he started volunteering for VoCAT, helping the students and assisting the instructors. In 2012, he became a Teaching Assistant. Renan is very dedicated to STEPS, formerly VoCAT. He is a great role model for students and a great asset to everyone at STEPS.
We also have interns from Austin Community College and volunteers every semester. If you would like more information about an internship or volunteering, please click the link above.