Rachel Benson

Rachel is a certified and licensed speech pathologist with over 15 years experience. She earned her Bachelor and Masters degrees from the College of St. Rose in Albany, NY. Rachel has worked in the San Francisco Bay area with children and adults with a wide range of disorders. She has worked in a variety of settings including schools, hospitals, and private practices. Rachel has also worked in collaboration with occupational therapists, physical therapists, psychologists, teachers, and parents.

 

Laurel Carey

Laurel is a Developmental Psychologist who was the Director of Behavioral Science at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons Family Practice Residency at Stamford Hospital for fourteen years.  She completed graduate work at New York University and was also on the faculty of Albert Einstein Medical College where she followed the development of premature and high risk babies for the first six years of life.  She was the Chief of Psychologist at the Pre-Schoolers Workshop, a school for special needs children in Long Island, and, in addition to evaluating children, she led support groups for parents and siblings.  Laurel teaches medical students and Family Practice residents with particular emphasis in the recognition and management of behavioral problems in children and adolescence.  She is a published author and has led parenting groups and support groups for twenty years.  

 

Kerri J. Cybulski

Kerri is a certified and licensed Occupational Therapist. She received her degree in Occupational Therapy from Quinnipiac College in 1998. She has been practicing and specializing in pediatric occupational therapy for over 14 years. Kerri has extensive experience in working with children with various medical and educational diagnosis; including but not limited to Autism Spectrum D/O, Sensory Processing D/O, ADHD, Cerebral Palsy, Downs Syndrome, developmental delays, learning disabilities, TBI/ABI, and other neurological impairments. She has worked in various settings including medical outpatient clinics, early intervention through the Connecticut Birth to Three Program, as well as, working over a decade within the public school systems (Easton Public Schools, Fairfield Public Schools, and Schools throughout New Haven County). In 2007, Kerri became S.I. Certified. She completed a Comprehensive Program In Sensory Integration and earned her sensory integration certification through the University of Southern California/Western Psychological Services.

 

Heather Edwards

Heather is a certified occupational therapist who has over a decade of experience. She received her Bachelor of Science, Health Sciences from the University of New England in 2001, and her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of New England in 2002. Heather spent two years, providing services through Brockton Early Intervention and then joined Rehabilitation Associates, Inc. in 2004. At Rehabilitation Associates, she provided Birth to Three and early intervention services, elementary and middle school occupational therapy, and out-patient pediatric services. In addition, she currently provides therapy services through Angelfish Aquatics.

 

Peter Hinckley

Peter is special education teacher who specializes in teaching students who have autism spectrum disorders (ASD’s) or have challenges similar to those students with an ASD. Peter received his Bachelors of Arts in English with a concentration in Journalism from the University of Delaware in 2007. Peter received his Special Education Certification from Southern Connecticut State University in 2011 and is currently working on his Master’s Degree in Autism Spectrum Disorders from Southern Connecticut State University (anticipated graduation 2012). Prior to becoming a Special Education Teacher Peter worked at Fidelity Investments in Merrimack, NH as a 401 (k) and pension specialist. Peter relocated to Connecticut in 2009 and began working in a self-contained ASD classroom as a long term substitute teacher for one-and-a-half school years at the Caesar Batalla School in Bridgeport. Following his service as a long term substitute teacher, Peter began teaching in his own flexible resource classroom at the Geraldine Johnson School beginning in 2010. Peter has also worked at The Pilot House since 2009 and worked in a variety of capacities. Some of his responsibilities included helping to facilitate the homework club, basketball and other social skills groups. Peter has also been a camp counselor in the summer at The Pilot House along with assisting with teen night.

 

Mary Imperioli

Mary is a Special Education Teacher with over thirty years of experience. She received her Bachelor and Masters Degree from Southern Connecticut State University in the field of Special Education, with a concentration in Autism Spectrum Disorder. She has taught all levels and disabilities over the span of her career, with the last 15 years specializing in the field of Autism. Currently she is working on her Board Certification in Behavior Analysis. Mary has worked with various Birth to Three Agencies, Coordinator of Home Behavioral Programs, Behavioral Consultant for CREC- River Street Program and Special Education Teacher for the district of Westport.

 

Jim King

Jim King is the Master Instructor of the family owned and managed King Academy of Martial Arts & Self-Defense located in Monroe, CT (www.kamaskarate.com). Master King has been training in the martial arts for more than 18 years and currently holds a 4th Dan in Tang Soo Do, a 1st Dan in Tae Kwon Do, and is actively pursuing a rank in Hapkido.  His passion for teaching martial arts is fueled by the connection it provides to his wife and two children, both of which hold advanced ranks in Tang Soo Do, and the joy watching the 100+ students currently enrolled in his school grow as individuals and martial artists.  He volunteers his time to teach martial arts at The Pilot House in addition to maintaining a full-time career as a corporate executive in the healthcare communications industry.

 

Emily Landin

Emily brings diverse, progressive experience as a teacher and a speech therapist within hospital, outpatient clinic, and school settings. She received her Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders from the University of New Hampshire in 1998, and her Master’s of Science in Speech/Language Pathology from Southern Connecticut State University in 2002. Most recently, Emily served as a speech-language pathologist at Jennings Elementary School in Fairfield, CT. Here she was responsible for comprehensive instruction and delivery of coordinated communication services to students with a variety of disabilities including Autism and Angelman’s Syndrome. Emily’s services included diagnostic testing, IEP development, collaboration with occupational therapist, physical therapist, psychologist, teachers, and parents. Her prior clinical experience included positions at Phelps Memorial Hospital in Sleepy Hollow, NY, The Stamford Hospital, and Stamford Public Schools.

 

Seth Lyall

Seth is a special education teacher who specializes in instructing children with autism spectrum disorders. He received his Bachelor of Arts in History from La Salle University in 2000, his Special Education Certification from Southern Connecticut State University in 2006, and his Master’s Degree in Autism Spectrum Disorders from Southern Connecticut State University in 2007. Prior to becoming a special education teacher, he worked as a paraprofessional at Island Avenue Elementary School (Madison, CT), Guilford High School, and Melissa Jones Elementary School (Guilford, CT). He worked as a special education teacher at Clarence Rogers Elementary School (New Haven, CT), where he was a case manager for a self-contained classroom of nine students with autism spectrum disorders. Since 2008, Seth has been teaching at Bear Path Elementary School (Hamden, CT) where he has an ABA room that also functions as a learning center. He is PMT trained, PECS certified, and trained in ABA and discrete trial methodology.

 

Kate McLaughlin

 Kate is a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist specializing in the communication needs of children and adults with significant disabilities, as well as augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).  She graduated with her Masters of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Southern Connecticut State University with an additional emphasis in AAC and adaptive technology.  Kate has worked with children and adults with a wide range of diagnoses.  She is passionate about developing the communication skills of individuals with significant and/or multiple disabilities, as well as that of their communication partners.  Kate is familiar with a wide variety of AAC devices and vendors.  She conducts AAC evaluations, assists with device selection and funding requests, and provides guidance for implementation of AAC strategies throughout a child’s daily life. 

 

Samuel Rotini

 Sam is a seasoned special education teacher whose career spans over 25 years. He received his Bachelor of Science in Special Education from Southern Connecticut State University in 1997 and his Master’s Degree in special education with a concentration in Autism from Southern Connecticut State University in 2007. Sam is completing his 6th year in School Administration from Southern Connecticut State University (anticipated graduation May 2009) as well as his extensive training to become a Board Certified Behavioral Analyst from the University of Massachusetts (anticipated graduation December 2009). He has served as a teacher, diagnostician, and case manager with Birth to Three/Child and Family Network (Derby, CT) and Aces Cooperative School (North Haven, CT). For the past five years, Sam has worked for Bridgeport Public Schools both as the case manager for a self-contained classroom for SED students and, most recently, as the case manager for a self-contained elementary school classroom for children with autism. His work has included designing and implementing discrete trial and behavioral programs, creating differentiated curriculum, and training and supervision of paraprofessionals.

 

Stacy Ruttenberg

Stacy is the Founder and Artistic Director of Slant of Light Theater Company.  She has worked behind the scenes, directing, stage managing, and producing shows for many theaters.  Stacy spent five years in an educational environment, working individually with students exhibiting learning difficulties, teaching reading and comprehension.  Stacy holds a BA in theater and psychology from Smith College.

 

Elizabeth L. Upton, MSPT

Liz is a certified Connecticut Physical Therapist and Children’s Yoga Facilitator. She received her Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from Boston University in 2000, and her Master’s of Science in Physical Therapy from Boston University in 2002. She has extensive training in sensory integration and manual therapy techniques. Liz worked as a staff physical therapist both at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Bridgeport, CT and Rehabilitation Associates, Inc. in Fairfield, CT, where she treated patients with diagnoses including, but not limited to, Multiple Sclerosis, Traumatic Brain Injury, Williams Syndrome, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Rett Syndrome. At Rehabilitation Associates, Liz also served as Pediatric Physical Therapy Supervisor where she was responsible for school-based physical therapy staff in Fairfield Public Schools, program development and continuing program facilitation. In 2004, she opened her own practice which enables her to work privately with children and families in homes, daycares, schools, and other natural environments. Liz contracts with Angelfish Therapy to perform aquatic therapy with children and directs and runs Children’s Yoga Classes.

Kristen Viesselman

Kristen has a M.A. in Special Education and Certified Special Education teacher.  She has extensive training in research-based reading programs and over 8 years of experience in the field of education and a strong passion for literacy, motivation and inspiration that creates a fun and challenging learning environment as well as extensive training in multi-sensory research-based reading programs.

 

Leslie Waddell

Leslie is the founder and owner of Kindermusik at Music for Little Hands in Monroe, Connecticut and has been a Maestro Educator for ten years. She began her love of music as a flute student at the age of ten and went on to earn her Bachelor of Music Degree in flute performance at the New England Conservatory. Through her experience as a chamber music coach, director of music festivals and camps, and a performer, Leslie was led to realize that her true passion is using music to connect with children and families at the most basic level and to meet the needs of every child by supporting healthy development, helping to nurture the bond within a family and a community, and fostering a love of music to reach through the generations.