Therapy Team
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CIERRA SIMMONS, MOT OTR/L
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KARI MCCORMICK, COTA/L
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HANIEH JAVAHERI, PT, DPT
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ALEXA CARLSON, M.A., CF-SLP
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RACHEL HOISINGTON, M.A. CF-SLP
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Lauren Ferre, PT, DPT |
Kaylie Smith, MOT, OTR/L |
Nichole Neff, MOT, OTR/L |
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Cierra Simmons MOT, OTR/L is one of our Occupational Therapists that provides services at Wings of Change Therapy, Inc's therapeutic day center and OHVA. She received her Master's of Occupational Therapy from Walsh University in 2021 and her Bachelor of Science Education in Exercise Science: Pre-Physical Therapy with a double minor in Child Development and Psychology from the University of Akron in 2019. While at Akron, she also received certification in Parent and Family Education and Manual Communication, or American Sign Language. Her favorite part of being an occupational therapist is loving people from all walks of life and helping them feel valued and important. She enjoys watching her kiddos grow one step at a time and loves laughing and playing with them each day. She currently lives in Cuyahoga Falls with her family and lazy and lovable cat, Rhubarb, and she loves reading, hiking, camping, and finding new coffee places to enjoy with her mom and friends.
Kari McCormick, COTA/L Hello! My name is Kari McCormick. I am a graduate of Stark State College. I received my Associate of Applied Science degree in 2020. I am a licensed and certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. I started working at Wings in August of 2021. My favorite parts of OT are working with children of all ages, having fun, and watching the kids grow! I believe that every child should be as independent as possible. I enjoy spending time with family, friends, and most of all my dog Ollie! Hanieh Javaheri, PT, DPT, received her B.S. in Behavioral and Community Health at the University of Maryland. During her undergraduate studies, she served as a research associate at the Special Olympics International headquarters in Washington, D.C. At Special Olympics, Hanieh conducted research on topics such as community inclusion, impact of physical activity on health, and long-term health outcomes on individuals with intellectual disability. In 2018, she moved to New York to obtain her Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. Hanieh has treated patients of all ages in a variety of clinical areas, including neurologic rehabilitation, post-operative, orthopedics, and balance/vestibular disorders. She plans to continue adding to her skill set throughout her career and practices an evidence-based, patient-centered approach to treatment, with strong emphasis on a holistic approach to care. Alexa Carlson, M.A., CF-SLP is a neurodiversity-affirming Speech-Language Pathologist on our trusted therapy team. She received her Bachelor's in Speech and Hearing Science from The Ohio State University, where she volunteered her time working with differently-abled adults and teens. It was here that she experienced the power of Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) for non-verbal/minimally verbal individuals. She then received her Master's degree from The University of Toledo. She now has a special interest in working with those who use AAC to effectively communicate, as well as Gestalt Language Processors, or those who present with echolalia/scripting. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors, exercising, and reading. Rachel Hoisington, M.A. CF-SLP, is one of our Speech Language Pathologist's who provides speech and language services to students here at the center. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology at The University of Akron in 2018. She went on to further her education and receive her Master of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology from The University of Akron Graduate School in 2021 who offered a joint program between The University of Akron and The University of Cincinnati in which she completed her course work. Rachel enjoys spending time with her family and traveling. What Rachel loves most about being a Speech-Language Pathologist is being able to get to know all her students and having the rewarding feeling of watching her students learn and grow. Lauren Ferre, PT, DPT, is our physical therapist who received her bachelor's degree in Exercise Science: Pre-Physical Therapy at the University of Akron in 2012 and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Walsh University in 2015. Lauren started working with Wings of Change Therapy, Inc in April 2019 after she moved back to Ohio following three years of moving/travel to Georgia, Saipan, and Oklahoma. She gained valuable experience in physical therapy throughout this time but is happy to be back in Ohio, close to family. Lauren loves working with children of all ages and their families and enjoys watching them grow and develop in their home, school, and life settings. Lauren loves everything outdoors, staying active, and trying new things and enjoys a good challenge. Kaylie Smith, MOT, OTR/L is one of our Occupational Therapists that currently provides services at Woodridge Local Schools District, students of ECOT and OHVA, and private clients. The thing that she loves most about OT is playing games with her students, making them laugh, and watching them grow! She lives in Cleveland with her boyfriend and cats, Dorito and Lucy Liu, and loves doing yoga in her spare time! She received her Master’s of Occupational Therapy from Cleveland State University, and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Disability Studies Minor from The Ohio State University. Kaylie has experience working with children of all ages and families of many skill levels, primarily autism, learning disabilities, and sensory processing disorders. Nichole Neff, MOT, OTR/L is one of our friendly, happy go lucky Occupational Therapists. She has been with Wings of Change Therapy, Inc since 2016. She graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor's degree in human ecology and a major in human development and family science. She then attended Cleveland State University and received Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy. She enjoys being active, getting outside, summer time, coaching cheerleading and being a volunteer coach for a special needs cheer team! |
Intervention specialists
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Amanda Schwind
Upper MD I.S. |
Christine Gray
Middle/High School I.S. |
Ryan Logan
Middle/High School I.S. |
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Dawn Shaheen
Elementary Cross-Categorical I.S. |
Kelsi Schossler
Preschool/Elementary I.S. |
Amanda Schwind is our Upper MD Intervention Specialist. Amanda received her Master’s degree in Special Education from Ursuline College in 2010, making this her 11th year teaching, with over 15 years in the field. (Though she started working and spending time with individuals with disabilities when she was just an elementary school student herself.) She has worked with students of all ages (3-22) and all ability levels, most recently working in a similar separate setting school on the west side of Cleveland, and she will put all of that knowledge and experience into creating a great learning and growing experience for your child. Amanda also has 3 rescue dogs (Bella, Spencer, and Franklin), and enjoys spending time with them, her parents, and her niece and nephew.
Christy Gray is our Middle/High School Intervention Specialist. She Graduated in 2015 from Mount Vernon Nazarene University with a degree in Elementary Education as well as a degree as an Intervention Specialist. This is her 7th year teaching as an Intervention Specialist. One of her favorite parts of teaching is watching the kids grow and watching their hard work turn into the “aha” moments. When she is not at school she is spending time with her two rescue dogs (Sampson and Titus) and working at GiGi’s playhouse as a board member and volunteer. Christy also enjoys traveling, hiking with her dogs, camping, volunteering at her church, good coffee, yoga, and spending time with those she loves. She is always looking for a new adventure or dog park to visit with her boys.
Ryan Logan came to Wings of Change after teaching 19 years in Brecksville Broadview Heights high school. Ryan earned his undergraduate degree from Mount Union University in Elementary Education and Health education. He then went on to earn his first masters degree from Ashland University in Intervention Specialist mild/moderate. Two years later Ryan earned a second masters degree in administration 4-12. Ryan has coached wrestling the past 25 years and continues to coach wrestling at Copley high school. He resides in North Canton and has two daughters Rylie (10) and Hattie (7). Ryan is entering his third year with Wings of Change where he teaches the middle school/high school room. He also serves as the schools testing coordinator.
Dawn Shaheen Hello! My name is Dawn Shaheen. I am the Intervention Specialist for the elementary cross-categorical classroom at Wings of Change Therapy. I am a graduate of Western Governors University with a Bachelors of Arts in Special Education, mild to moderate. I began my career working with children with special needs as a Paraprofessional for 8 years prior to Wings of Change. As a paraprofessional, I worked in a general education classroom for two years, self-contained for two years, and the cross-categorical unit for four years. I enjoyed working with these awesome kids so much, I decided to go back to college for my teaching license in special education. I truly appreciate working with my students each day, and look forward to seeing their faces every morning. My favorite part of teaching is when my students tell me they are "proud" of themselves when they have achieved their goals. I have been married to my wonderful husband Tom for 25 years, and I have three amazing kids, Alec (24), Sydney (22), and Seth (19), and a Bichon named Meringue. I love hiking with my daughter Sydney, listening to music, drawing, crafts, reading, and spending time with my family as much as possible.
Kelsi Schossler is an Intervention Specialist for our preschool and elementary students. She received her Bachelor's degree from Kent State University in Special Education for moderate/intensive needs in 2017. She went on to teach elementary aged students with emotional behavior disorders and Autism Spectrum Disorders in Clarksville, Tennessee for 4 years in an inclusion setting. Recently, she graduated from Ball State University with her Master's in Applied Behavior Analysis with a certificate in Autism. Kelsi believes lasting behavioral change is made through positive relationship building and modeling functional communication. When not working, Kelsi enjoys kayaking, reading, and playing with her two rescue dogs, Lilo and Remy.
Christy Gray is our Middle/High School Intervention Specialist. She Graduated in 2015 from Mount Vernon Nazarene University with a degree in Elementary Education as well as a degree as an Intervention Specialist. This is her 7th year teaching as an Intervention Specialist. One of her favorite parts of teaching is watching the kids grow and watching their hard work turn into the “aha” moments. When she is not at school she is spending time with her two rescue dogs (Sampson and Titus) and working at GiGi’s playhouse as a board member and volunteer. Christy also enjoys traveling, hiking with her dogs, camping, volunteering at her church, good coffee, yoga, and spending time with those she loves. She is always looking for a new adventure or dog park to visit with her boys.
Ryan Logan came to Wings of Change after teaching 19 years in Brecksville Broadview Heights high school. Ryan earned his undergraduate degree from Mount Union University in Elementary Education and Health education. He then went on to earn his first masters degree from Ashland University in Intervention Specialist mild/moderate. Two years later Ryan earned a second masters degree in administration 4-12. Ryan has coached wrestling the past 25 years and continues to coach wrestling at Copley high school. He resides in North Canton and has two daughters Rylie (10) and Hattie (7). Ryan is entering his third year with Wings of Change where he teaches the middle school/high school room. He also serves as the schools testing coordinator.
Dawn Shaheen Hello! My name is Dawn Shaheen. I am the Intervention Specialist for the elementary cross-categorical classroom at Wings of Change Therapy. I am a graduate of Western Governors University with a Bachelors of Arts in Special Education, mild to moderate. I began my career working with children with special needs as a Paraprofessional for 8 years prior to Wings of Change. As a paraprofessional, I worked in a general education classroom for two years, self-contained for two years, and the cross-categorical unit for four years. I enjoyed working with these awesome kids so much, I decided to go back to college for my teaching license in special education. I truly appreciate working with my students each day, and look forward to seeing their faces every morning. My favorite part of teaching is when my students tell me they are "proud" of themselves when they have achieved their goals. I have been married to my wonderful husband Tom for 25 years, and I have three amazing kids, Alec (24), Sydney (22), and Seth (19), and a Bichon named Meringue. I love hiking with my daughter Sydney, listening to music, drawing, crafts, reading, and spending time with my family as much as possible.
Kelsi Schossler is an Intervention Specialist for our preschool and elementary students. She received her Bachelor's degree from Kent State University in Special Education for moderate/intensive needs in 2017. She went on to teach elementary aged students with emotional behavior disorders and Autism Spectrum Disorders in Clarksville, Tennessee for 4 years in an inclusion setting. Recently, she graduated from Ball State University with her Master's in Applied Behavior Analysis with a certificate in Autism. Kelsi believes lasting behavioral change is made through positive relationship building and modeling functional communication. When not working, Kelsi enjoys kayaking, reading, and playing with her two rescue dogs, Lilo and Remy.