Allison Mayernick, Group Leader at Autism on the Seas
Volunteer from Florida

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 Soohoo, Special Education Teacher
Volunteer from New York

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 Klemmer, Special Needs Staff Trainer
Volunteer from Maryland

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 Edberg, Behavioral Therapist
Volunteer from Massachusetts  

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

Katina Gibb, Special Education Teacher
Volunteer from New Jersey

Katina has been a volunteer with Autism on the Seas since July 2014. When she is not volunteering, Katina works as a Special Education teacher for an ABA-based autism classroom at the Y.A.L.E. School in Marlton, New Jersey. Katina has a variety of teaching experience ranging from grades five through eight in a private school setting and Kindergarten through second grade in a public school autism program. Katina received a dual degree in Elementary Education and Psychology from Rider University in 2009. She is currently pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis at Temple University. 

Other   Safety Care Certified, NJ State Elementary School Teacher Standard Certificate

Lindsey Tedesco, Special Education Teacher
Volunteer from New Jersey

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

Michael Marcal, Special Education Advocate
Volunteer from Florida

Michael has been a volunteer with Autism on the Seas since June 2019. When he is not volunteering on cruises, Michael is an advocate for parents of children with disabilities in Orlando, Florida. Previously, he has worked in various special education settings including a PreK Autism class, a K-5 Autism class, and as a special education teacher in a middle school. Michael has experience working with children with Autism, Cognitive Disabilities, Learning Disabilities, Visual and Hearing Impairments, and various other disabilities. Michael also volunteers as a Crisis Counselor to help people during crisis situations. He holds a B.A. in Education from the SUNY College at Brockport and a Master's Degree in Education from the University at Buffalo.  

Sandy Grizzard, Elementary School Assistant Principal
Volunteer from Georgia

Sandy works as a part time Assistant Principal in Snellville, GA. She has experience and passion for special needs students in many areas (Interrelated, Developmental Disabilities, Preschool, SDD, MI, Autism, EBD, HI, TBI, and medical needs.) Sandy enjoys teaching special needs adults each Sunday and volunteers in a monthly Respite program for adolescents and adults. She also volunteers at the Aurora Theatre that features Autism friendly programs for children and adults. Sandy holds a B.A. and Master’s Degree from Georgia State University and Leadership Degree from West Georgia University.

Other  CPR and AED certification

Sarah Hoffman, Life Skills Teacher
Volunteer from Texas

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 Wright, Therapeutic Staff Support
Volunteer from Pennsylvania

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