Early Learning & School Readiness Coordinator

Merrie Darrah

At SST Region 4, the Early Learning and School Readiness Coordinator is Merrie Darrah. Merrie has been in the field of early childhood education for over 20 years in school districts and state resource agencies. She has a M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Cleveland State University and is a licensed School Psychologist.  She has also taken extensive coursework in Educational Administration and is currently a doctoral student at Kent State University.

Merrie serves as a resource for parents, teachers, agency staff, and administrators by providing support, referral services, training, and technical assistance regarding state and federal mandates, compliance, professional development, and program administration. She works with leadership and staff from early learning and childcare programs, including Head Start, Preschool Special Education, Early Childhood Education (formerly Public School Preschool), and community-based child-care programs.

Merrie has expertise in the area of early childhood education and special education.  She has broad experience in working with individuals with disabilities from birth through age 21 and she has consulted at the regional, state and federal level.  She has done extensive research in the areas of early childhood assessment, supporting students with autism, response to intervention (RTI) and quality early childhood systems development.