Rebekkah Dellaccio-Bazley
RN, BSN, MBA
Northwest ISD

Unlicensed Staff Roles and Responsibilities

Rebekkah Dellaccio-Bazley has been a registered nurse for over 30 years with more than half of those in the school setting. Her prior experience includes med/surg and telemetry, case management, home health, and hospice. In the school setting, she worked with middle school students before joining Northwest ISD as the district's Health Services Coordinator. Rebekkah's interest in business models has influenced her desire to help streamline clinic processes and ensure compliance with state guidelines. She takes pride in fostering the talents of her teammates to bring about meaningful and measurable results. She and her husband enjoy boating, gardening, and spending time with their kids and grandkids.

Laura Vayda
MHA, BSN, RN, NCSN
Garland ISD

Documentation- Using the Nursing Process
School Nurse Connections (How to be Seen and Heard)

Laura Vayda brings over 13 years of dedicated experience as a school nurse and a deep passion for advancing student health and well-being. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Baylor University and a Master of Health Administration from LSU Shreveport. As a Nationally Certified School Nurse, Laura has served as the lead nurse for the Garland Independent School District for the past six years, where she oversees health services and supports nursing staff across the district. Her leadership and commitment were recognized in 2023 when she was named the Texas School Nurses Organization (TSNO) School Nurse Administrator of the Year. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Laura treasures spending time with her husband and their two young sons.

Dana Wood
BSN, RN, NCSN
Garland ISD

Mentorship: Growing Great School Nurses

Dana Wood is a dedicated and passionate school nurse with over 21 years of experience, including the past 18 years proudly serving the students and families of Garland ISD. A Nationally Certified School Nurse, Dana was named the 2023 Texas School Nurse of the Year and was recently honored with a Lily Award at the 2024 National Association of School Nurses Conference in Chicago.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Dana’s connection to Garland ISD runs deep—she is the proud parent of five GISD graduates. Today, she serves as the Nurse Mentor for the district, where she supports and guides fellow nurses with the same heart and dedication she brings to every student interaction. Dana’s greatest joy is inspiring others and helping elevate the impact of school nursing across her community.

Christy Giddens
BSN, RN, NCSN
McKinney ISD

The Red Square: A Healthcare Sterile Cockpit to Reduce Medication Errors

Christy Giddens brings over 30 years of nursing experience, including more than 16 years devoted to school health, where she has become a recognized leader in the field. As Coordinator of Health Services for McKinney ISD, she has led district-wide efforts in clinic standardization, new nurse orientation, emergency preparedness, and professional development.

Christy is a Nationally Certified School Nurse and was recognized as both School Nurse of the Year and Texas School Nurse of the Year in 2015, Christy is known for her commitment to excellence, mentorship, and improving outcomes through consistent, data-drive practices. She is an active member of NASN, TSNAA, and MSNAA and is widely respected as a role model and advocate for advancing school nursing practice.

As a published author, Christy now shares her experience and research to elevate school nursing practices and empower nurse leaders across Texas and beyond.

Rachael Freeman
Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD

Hidden in Plain Site

Rachael Freeman spent over twenty years with the Coppell Police Department. During her tenure with the department, she served the patrol, community services, criminal investigation, and school resource officer divisions. Rachael found her passion in education, specifically tied to drug prevention. Rachael wrote and implemented Coppell Police Department's Teen Diversion program, which was a program for juvenile first offenders. Rachael retired from law enforcement in 2019, and took a role overseeing safety and security for Coppell ISD. In 2022, she returned "home" to Carrollton - Farmers Branch ISD as the Executive Director of Safety and Security.

Rita Berkley
MSN-PH, RN
Carrollton-Farmer Branch ISD

Hidden in Plain Site

Rita Berkley is the Coordinator of Health Services for Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, bringing over five years of school nursing experience in both Texas and Arizona. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing with a focus in Public Health and a BSN from Grand Canyon University.

Rita’s diverse nursing background includes roles in telemetry, ICU, ER, EMS liaison, and leadership during the COVID-19 response. She began her healthcare career as a CNA and has served in roles ranging from EMT-B to Director of Community Health and Safety with the American Red Cross. Rita is also an active community volunteer, supporting EMS preparedness and emergency response through her work with Grayson County CERT.

Rita is known for her passion for public health, her ability to lead with purpose and compassion, and her unwavering commitment to advancing student and community wellness through excellence in school health services.

Lisa-Marie Rainwater
BSN, RN
Mesquite ISD

Diabetes: A Primer for School Nurses

Lisa-Marie Rainwater has been a dedicated nurse for over 22 years, beginning her career in medical-surgical nursing before cross-training across various areas of women’s services. She continues to support families today through her work in hospital-based lactation care.

In 2013, Lisa-Marie transitioned into school nursing in search of a schedule that would better align with her family’s needs—but what began as a practical choice quickly became a professional passion. She discovered a deep calling to advocate for and support students in the school setting, where she found her skills and heart made a powerful impact, including a specific passion for students living with Type 1 Diabetes and their families.

Since 2018, Lisa-Marie has served as a Lead Nurse for Mesquite ISD, with a focus on nurse training and emergency preparedness. In 2023, she spearheaded district-wide emergency response drills across all campuses and facility buildings, playing a pivotal role in guiding every campus toward earning the prestigious Heart Safe School designation.

In recognition of her commitment to nursing excellence and leadership in school health, Lisa-Marie was honored with the 2024 D Magazine Excellence in Nursing award.

Judi Sparks
BSN, RN
Wylie ISD

Substitute Nurses...The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Judi Sparks is a dedicated nursing professional with 44 years of experience, including 24 years in the field of school nursing. She spent 14 years supporting students in special education settings and has worked in school-based clinics for the past decade. In 2022, Judi completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and now serves as the Lead Nurse for Wylie Independent School District, where she continues to advocate for the health and well-being of students and staff.

Outside of her professional role, Judi and her husband have been married for 44 years. They have three grown children and four grandchildren. Judi enjoys spending her free time reading, quilting, scuba diving, and camping.

Wendy Hein
BSN, RN, NCSN
Midlothian ISD

The Case of the Curious Complaints: A Pediatric Assessment Training for School Nurses

Wendy Hein is a dedicated and accomplished Registered Nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas at Arlington. She currently serves as the Director of Health Services and District Lead Nurse for Midlothian ISD, where she oversees the health and safety operations across the district, manages staff training, and leads multiple health initiatives.

With over 20 years of diverse nursing experience—including roles in hospital care, women’s services, and community health—Wendy brings a broad and valuable perspective to her work in school health services.

She is also actively pursuing her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree at UTHealth Houston, further advancing her leadership and clinical expertise in community and population health.

Her leadership has been recognized through numerous awards, such as MISD Employee of the Year 2023 and speaking engagements, including presenting for the American Lung Association, the Skyward Healthcare Conference, and as a panelist for the UTA BSN Nursing Program.

Wendy is a Nationally Certified School Nurse and a current BLS instructor for the American Heart Association.

Delayney Wayland
BSN, RN
Midlothian ISD

The Case of the Curious Complaints: A Pediatric Assessment Training for School Nurses

Delaney Wayland, BSN, RN, is a dedicated school nurse with six years of nursing experience, including a strong clinical background in pediatric oncology. Now beginning her 4th year serving the students of Midlothian ISD—the district where she grew up—Delaney blends medical expertise with a deep commitment to community-based care. A past recipient of the Professional Employee of the Year award, she is passionate about student wellness, advocacy, and building strong school-health partnerships. Delaney is currently preparing to further her education by pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice, with plans to specialize as either a Family Nurse Practitioner or a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in acute and primary care.

Amy Hillin
MSN, RN, NCSN
Wylie ISD

Understanding Section 504 and IDEA in the School Setting: The Critical Role of the School Nurse

Amy Hillin has been a school nurse since 2001. She has worked in Dallas ISD, Allen ISD, and Wylie ISD. Amy currently is the Health Services Director in Wylie ISD, where she has worked since 2010. She received her BSN from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing and her MSN with a focus on Administration from the University of Texas at Tyler. Currently, she serves on the Texas Skyward User Group Committee and the Texas Nurse Administrators Association.

Nichol Smithers
MSN, MEd, RN
Rockwall ISD

Understanding Section 504 and IDEA in the School Setting: The Critical Role of the School Nurse

Nichól Smithers, MSN, MEd, RN, is Director of Health Services for Rockwall ISD since 2010. Her 33 year nursing career began in 1992 after earning her BSN from the University of Iowa. She was an officer in the US Air Force providing nursing care at assignments in northern California, Nebraska, Mississippi, Panama, and England. Her clinical background includes inpatient medical/surgical, pediatrics, maternal-child primarily labory & delivery, post-anesthesia care, and school nursing. She has 17 years of experience as a school nurse administrator. Nichól earned her Masters in Education focusing on Adult Education from Penn State University, a Nurse Educator Graduate Certificate from UT El Paso, and her MSN-Nursing Education from UT Tyler. She currently serves on various professional committees, including the Texas Skyward User Group, Rockwall County Child Fatality Review Committee, and the Texas School Nurse Administrators Association.