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Amanda

Amanda Store
Physical Therapist Assistant and Professor
Volunteer from Texas

Amanda has been a licensed physical therapist assistant since 2007, having worked primarily in outpatient and home health pediatrics.  She earned her Associate of Applied Science for physical therapist assistant from Kilgore College, her Bachelor of Applied Science for physical therapy from Centenary College of Louisiana, and her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from The University of Texas at Tyler.  Amanda joined the Tyler Junior College Physical Therapist Assistant program faculty in 2015.  She serves as a mentor through the Mentoring Alliance, president and adapted tricycle liaison for Tyler Area American Business Clubs (AMBUCS), and member of the Disability Review Board for the City of Tyler and the Disability Rights of Texas Board.

Bailey

Bailey Hersh
Special Education Teacher
Volunteer from Tennessee

Bailey has been a volunteer with Autism on the Seas since 2015. She is a Special Education Teacher for students at the elementary level. She has also volunteered at summer camps for kids with developmental disabilities as well as chronic and life-threatening illnesses. Bailey has a Bachelor's Degree in Special Education from the University of North Florida as well as a minor in American Sign Language. She also has a Master's Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Mary Baldwin University. 

Ember

Ember Freitas
Special Education Teacher
Volunteer from Texas

Ember is a Special Education teacher at a charter school for children with autism in Texas and an Advanced Certified Autism Specialist (A.C.A.S.). She holds a B.S. in Professional and Liberal Studies with a concentration in Autism, an M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education, and an M.A. in Autism Spectrum Disorders. She has been volunteering with Autism on the Seas since 2019.

Hannah

Hannah Violet
Special Education Case Manager
Volunteer from Maryland

Hannah holds a Bachelor's in Early Childhood and Special Education from Shippensburg University. She also holds a Master's in Special Education with an Autism emphasis from Pennsylvania State University. Hannah has worked in various classrooms supporting students with various developmental disabilities in grades K-2 and 6-8. She is currently living in Maryland where she is the special education case manager for her elementary school. She has volunteered with Autism on the Seas since 2016. 

Hannah

Hannah Newlon
Occupational Therapist
Volunteer from Virginia

Hannah is an occupational therapist from Richmond Virginia. She currently works in the school system and has previously worked in home health and skilled nursing. She received her master's degree in Occupational Therapy and her doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Shenandoah University. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, photography, and hanging out with her niece and nephew! 

Janet

Janet Bertoni
Professor of Exceptional Education
Volunteer from Pennsylvania

Janet 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!

Jennifer

Jennifer Heitzke
Volunteer from Connecticut

Jennifer is a retired Kindergarten teacher of 32 years from Monroe, Connecticut. She has much experience with ASD and other special needs. Jennifer was responsible for helping write the Wingman for Elementary Schools program in conjunction with Dylan’s Wings of Change. The program, a series of peer led activities, helps develop empathy, inclusion, team work, and perseverance. Jennifer is also an avid volunteer with many local charities. Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Marymount College, Tarrytown.

Kathi

Katherine Vaughn
Occupational Therapist
Volunteer from Georgia

Kathi works full time as a school based Occupational Therapist in Woodstock Georgia. She has a passion for working with special needs children and adults, and has been volunteering with Autism on the Seas since February 2022. Kathi has worked in a variety of settings, including Babies Can't Wait, Home Health, School System, Hospitals, and Outpatient clinics. Currently, she holds a BHS in Occupational Therapy from the Medical College of Georgia, and is pursuing her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy through Spalding University. 

Kathy

Kathy Jeffries-Smith - COTA (Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant)
Volunteer from Georgia

Kathy has been a licensed Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant since 2009. She currently works in a pediatric outpatient clinic with a focus on sensory integration and floor time philosophies. She also is a Compliance Director for a therapy company. In addition to her AAS in Occupational Therapy, she holds a BA in Sociology from Pacific Lutheran University. She has been volunteering with Autism on the Seas since 2022..

Kim

Kimberly Michela
Behavior Consultative Teacher
Volunteer from Virginia

Kim has been a volunteer with Autism on the Seas since 2017. She currently works as a Behavior Consultative Teacher assisting teachers and classrooms with various developmental disabilities and challenging behaviors near Richmond, Virginia. Kim has previously provided instruction and services to students ages 4-22 in public schools, private day placement schools, and at a clinic-based/in-home based program. She holds a BA in Psychology from St. Andrews University, a M. Ed in Special Education from West Chester University, and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

Lacey

Lacey Godfrey
Occupational Therapist 
Volunteer from Missouri

Lacey currently works as an occupational therapist with individuals of all ages. She enjoys the variety of working in multiple settings helping those with physical, medically complex, intellectual, and developmental conditions. Lacey has a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from MidAmerica Nazarene University as well as a master’s degree in occupational therapy from Missouri State University.

Lorie

Lorie Taylor
Chair, Department of Special Education and Disability Studies
Volunteer from Pennsylvania

Lorie works as a Special Education Professor at Clarion University of PA. She also works part time as a Behavioral Technician. Lorie is on the board of PACEC and is President of the local board of the ARC.  Lorie holds a BS in Speech Pathology from James Madison University and a Masters in Audiology, a Masters in Special Education, and a Doctorate in Special Education from The University of Southern Mississippi.

Lucy

Lucy Rizzetto
School Principal
Volunteer from Ontario

Lucy is a retired elementary school Principal currently working as a substitute administrator in schools supporting students and staff in Kindergarten through Grade 12 in Chatham-Kent, Ontario. She has 20 years of experience include working as a classroom teacher in Grades K-8 and in specialized programs focused on Social Skills and Behavioural support. As a Principal she worked to support students and families as they navigated the education system and as an advocate for successful school transitions and experiences for all. Lucy has a B.A. and B.Ed. as well as Specialist qualifications in Special Education and Reading, and Special Education for Administrators. She is passionate about travel, family time and the opportunity AotS creates to support other families in creating these positive experiences. 

Megan

Megan Brown 
Special Education Teacher
Volunteer from Florida

Megan is currently a teacher of students with disabilities at the elementary level. She has been an educator for 14 years and loves working in a self-contained classroom. She holds an M.Ed in Elementary Education with a focus on Exceptional Student Education and a certification in Autism Spectrum Disorders from the University of Central Florida. She has been a volunteer with Autism on the Seas since 2021 and loves getting to help families make lifelong memories.

Michael

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. 

Morgan

Morgan Rappaport
Applied Behavioral Analysis, Registered Behavior Technician
Volunteer from Illinois

Morgan is a Group Leader at Autism on the Seas with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, specializing in Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA). She has been a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) for 7 years in Illinois where she resides, working with individuals of all ages to provide tailored support. Morgan’s experience expands past ABA therapy and she has worked in special recreation for individuals with disabilities, such as leading Zumba classes for adults, coaching basketball for youth, and assisting children with disabilities during summer camps.

Growing up with a mother who was a travel agent, Morgan developed a love for travel, which she now combines with her professional expertise to create inclusive, enjoyable experiences for families traveling with individuals with disabilities. With a compassionate approach and a focus on individual needs, Morgan is committed to making every cruise with Autism on the Seas a positive, fun, and enriching experience for all guests.

Sandy

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. 

Teraycia

Teraycia Lovett
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
Volunteer from Georgia

Teraycia is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Clinical Director with Total Care ABA. She has been working in the field of applied behavior analysis since 2019, providing clinical leadership, supervision, and support for both clients and developing clinicians.

She earned her master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from the Florida Institute of Technology, a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Columbus State University, and an associate degree in electronics with a specialization in biomedical technology from Albany Technical College. She is passionate about mentoring upcoming BCBAs and supporting professional growth in the field.

Outside of work, she enjoys reading, traveling, and hiking.