Victoria Haggarty, Ed. S

Director

Victoria Haggarty began her career as an Art Educator at the Tennessee Schools for the Deaf in Knoxville, Tennessee. She then transitioned to Tennessee Schools for the Deaf in Nashville, Tennessee to work as a Birth-5 Educator, Elementary Educator, and Art Educator. She joined REAL Project South in 2022 as a trainer and became Director in 2024. She has an Education Specialist Degree in ASL/English Bilingual Deaf Education for Ages Birth-5 and a Graduate Certificate in Deaf and Hard of Hearing Infants, Toddlers and their Families: Collaboration and Leadership from Gallaudet University. In her free time, she enjoys working in her studio, gardening and spending time with her fur babies.

Kristen Hammontree

Family Services Coordinator

Kristen Hammontree has dedicated the past four years to the education field, serving as a Deaf Mentor in public schools and for REAL South, itinerant Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing within a school system, and taught ASL for AIDB and volunteered teaching ASL outside of work. In January 2025, Kristen joined REAL Project South as a Family Services Coordinator. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Education for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and is a certified teacher. Kristen is currently pursuing certifications from the American Sign Language Teachers Association (ASLTA) and in Visual Communication and Sign Language (VSCL). Outside of her professional life, she enjoys solving puzzles, crafting wax stamps, and cherishing time with her two beloved cats.

Laurel Maradik

Connector

Laurel Maradik is a passionate advocate for young children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, as well as their families and caretakers. With over 25 years of experience in deaf education, she has served in a variety of roles including preschool teacher, Deaf mentor, elementary teacher, and ASL specialist/teacher. Laurel holds a Bachelor's Degree in Special Education and a Master's Degree in Family-Centered Early Childhood Education. In April 2025, she joined REAL South as a Connector. Outside of work, Laurel enjoys cooking, painting, sewing, pottery, and taking sunset walks with her elderly dog.

Dakota DuBose

Connector

 Dakota DuBose joined the REAL South team in August 2025, bringing valuable experience in Deaf education. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Deaf and Hard of Hearing PK-12 Education from the University of Montevallo. She previously taught both elementary students and a Toddler Learning Class at a residential school for the deaf. This experience fuels her primary passion: advocating for and ensuring robust language access for children from birth to age 3. Outside of her professional commitment, Dakota enjoys traveling, baking, reading, building Lego sets, spending time with family and friends.

Robin Sweeney

Interpreter Coordinator

Robin’s passion for American Sign Language was sparked at a young age, as she learned from her Deaf family members and community. This passion led her to a career in interpreting, which began over 25 years ago—serving as a freelance interpreter, educational interpreter, and currently as the REAL South interpreter coordinator at AIDB-SP. 

Robin holds her NIC, National Interpreter Certification, EIPA, Educational Interpreters Performance Assessment, and Master of Science degree in ASL/English Interpreting. Outside of work, Robin enjoys time with her husband, three daughters, and five grandchildren.