- Learn more about our Staff / JOIN OUR STAFF
- Learn more about our Group Leaders, see below
Alley |
Allison Mayernick, Group Leader at Autism on the Seas Alley is a full time Group Leader for Autism on the Seas. Prior to that, Alley was an ABA Therapist with Autism Home Support Services in Chicago, Illinois. She was an Elementary Teacher for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder for 6 years. Alley also volunteers for Nathaniel’s Hope working with Special Needs children, and she was also a Respite Worker in homes and schools for individuals with Special Needs for the past 10 years. Alley holds a B.A. In Education as a Learning Behavior Specialist 1 from Illinois State University and an Autism Endorsement from the University of Central Florida. Other CPR Certified, CPI Certified, Basic ASL |
| Alyssa
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Alyssa Soohoo, Special Education Teacher Alyssa worked the last two years teaching ELA at Cooke Center Academy, a private school for high school students with special needs. She previously taught second and third graders with autism in Piscataway, NJ. She currently lives in NYC and in her second year of a PhD Program for Autism and Intellectual Disabilities at Columbia University. Her most recent research highlights the importance of vacation respite for caregivers of children with special needs (http://www.mhnews-autism.org/back_issues/ASN-Summer2016.pdf) and video modeling intervention for teenagers with autism (http://thenadd.org/nadd-bulletin/archive/volume-xii/). Alyssa holds a Masters of Art in Teaching Special Education. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and elementary education, along with a double minor in communication disorders and deaf studies. Other CPI certified, Basic ASL, Handle with Care trained, CPR/ AED certified, First Aid certified |
| Brittany
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Brittany Klemmer, Special Needs Staff Trainer Brittany works as a Staff Training Associate at a private school for children with moderate to severe Autism. She works as a Habilitation Aide for adolescents with severe Autism. Brittany also volunteers for the Special Olympics. Brittany Holds a B.A. in Psychology from Millersville University, and she also holds a M.A. in Special Education. Brittany is pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Behavior Analysis and she is pursuing BCBA certification. Other Crisis Prevention Intervention Certified |
| Donna
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Donna Edberg, Behavioral Therapist Donna previously worked as a Behavioral Therapist and Lead Behavioral Therapist for Behavioral Development and Educational Services in New Bedford Massachusetts. She worked in a public school setting with students aged pre-K through 5th grade. She also worked as a home therapist for pre-K students with Children Making Strides. Donna holds a BA in Psychology and Sociology from UMASS Amherst and an M.Ed. from the University of Delaware. Other First Aid Certified |
Janet |
Janet Josephson, Professor of Exceptional Education Volunteer from Pennsylvania Janet Josephson holds a B.S. in Music Education from New York University, a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education and in Special Education from Hunter College. She completed her a Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of Delaware in 2014. Janet is currently a professor of exceptional education at Millersville University of Pennsylvania. She worked as a special education teacher for nine years in New York City and Philadelphia with students in grades K-8 with various developmental disabilities and challenging behaviors. She is thrilled to be playing a part in the Autism on the Seas magic!. Other Conversational Spanish |
Katina |
Katina Gibb, Special Education Teacher Other Safety Care Certified, NJ State Elementary School Teacher Standard Certificate |
| Lindsey
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Lindsey Tedesco, Special Education Teacher Lindsey is a Pre-k self-contained Special Education Teacher in Bayonne, NJ. She has also taught Kindergarten and first grade Inclusion as a Special Education Teacher in Bayonne, NJ, and was a Preschool Disabled Teacher in South Jersey. Lindsey worked at Twin Oaks Community Services as a Residential Counselor assisting children and adolescents with Autism. She has worked as an Educational Assistant at HollyDELL School for students with Cerebral Palsy and other Brain disorders. Lindsey has a B.A. in Early Childhood Education from Rowan University, a B.A. in American Studies from Rowan University and she has a certification of Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TOSD) from Rowan University. Other First Aid, CPR AED, CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention), Boggs Training: Overview & Positive Behavior Supports, Mental Health Supports for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities |
| Sandy
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Sandy Grizzard, Elementary School Assistant Principal Other CPR and AED certification |
| Sarah (H.)
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Sarah Hoffman, Life Skills Teacher Sarah is an Elementary LIFE Skills Teacher in Houston, Texas. She is also employed by the Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District working with children with various disabilities. She has a younger brother with Autism and has grown up working in various classrooms and camps. Sarah has a bachelor’s degree in Special Education (EC-12) and a bachelor’s degree in general education (EC-6) from Texas Tech University. Other CPI Certified |
| Sarah (W.)
|
Sarah Wright, Therapeutic Staff Support Sarah began as a volunteer with AotS in Aug 2014 and since then has completed over 10 cruises. She is working towards her BCBA at George Mason University and works as a Registered Behavior Technician at Verbal Beginnings in Columbia, Maryland. Sarah has her bachelors of science in clinical psychology from Marywood University and masters of arts in clinical psychology with a certificate in autism spectrum disorders from West Chester University. She has worked as a babysitter for individuals of all ages, a job coach for young adults and as a 1:1 in school, daycare, and home settings. Sarah has a brother with autism. Other CPR/First-Aide/AED Adult, Child & Infant Certified American Red Cross /American Heart Association, American Sign Language |
