Meet the Team

Chad is a co-founder of Therapy Abroad and serves as president and managing director. He has more than 20 years of experience working domestically and internationally in community-based program design and implementation, program management, and volunteer management. He served as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Philippines where he developed his love for working with people, organizations, and communities and a passion for international travel. Since then, he has lived and worked in Thailand, South Africa, and Australia as a project leader and country director for a student volunteer and travel organization. He continues to travel and explore the world whenever he can. Chad attended Florida State University where he received his undergraduate and master’s degrees in geography.

Jessy is a co-founder and research advisor for Therapy Abroad. Jessy completed her undergraduate degree in music therapy with classical guitar as her primary instrument and began her career as a music therapist working for hospice for 5 years. After taking a career break to travel in Southeast Asia and South America, she decided to return to school and pursue a master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders. Jessy worked as a speech-language pathologist for several years before moving to Thailand where she lived and worked for nearly six years. Since returning to the USA, she has worked in a variety of settings including home health, schools, outpatient clinic, state residential hospital, and acute care. With nearly 20 years of clinical experience, she returned to school to focus on research. Jessy earned a PhD with a dual major in Neuroscience and Gerontology from Iowa State University. Her current research lies at the intersection of music and speech therapy in persons with Parkinson’s disease. She has a particular interest in dysphagia in those with neurodegenerative diseases as it relates to decisions at the end of life.

Katie is the Director of International Programs & Operations for Therapy Abroad. She has over 10 years of experience working in study abroad, global education, project management, program development, and international risk management. Katie has also traveled to over 30 countries and six continents. She's hoping to make it to Antarctica one day! Katie earned her Bachelor's degree at the University of South Carolina and her M.Ed. in Global Studies at the University of Illinois. In 2021, Katie decided to return to school for speech-language pathology and combines her two passions working at Therapy Abroad. She graduated with her Master's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at East Carolina University in May 2024. In addition to traveling, Katie loves outdoor adventures, sports, meeting new people and experiencing different cultures, and spending time with her fur baby, Wagz.

Kris is an Assistant Professor at Idaho State University health Sciences Center who specializes in neurogenic communication disorders and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). His primary research interests concern the development of AAC interface designs that are more compatible with the cognitive-linguistic capabilities of persons with aphasia and children with autism. Additionally, he is interested in translational research that investigates the communicative competence (e.g., turn-taking and longer communicative interactions) of individuals using currently available AAC technologies. Kris is also the Co-advisor of the CSUF National Student Speech-Language and Hearing Association chapter. While traditional didactic lectures are an important component of learning, Kris understands that repeated practice, structured mentorship, and active learning in the field are better teaching techniques that develop clinical scientists capable of engaging in lifelong learning. For more information about AAC programs email aac@therapyabroad.org

Jayme Vance is the current Director of Programming and Training for Therapy Abroad and is a licensed Occupational Therapist, experienced outdoor and adventure guide, certified yoga instructor and former professor. Jayme received her undergraduate degree in Exercise Science with a minor in Disability Studies from the University of Delaware. She went on to complete her Masters in Occupational Therapy from Colorado State University. Jayme has worked in a variety of traditional healthcare settings as well as community-based non-profits. While pursuing her career in Occupational Therapy, Jayme simultaneously pursued her passion as an outdoor adventure guide. She began in the field of wilderness therapy and has since continued to train and guide in a variety setting both domestically and abroad. As a former professor at the University of Virginia, Jayme enjoys supporting students to explore and develop their passions both in, and out of, the classroom. She is also the co-founder for The Nature of Mind Body, an integrative health platform focused on holistic interventions and wellness outcomes. In her free time, Jayme can be found rolling around on her mountain bike, climbing up rock walls, paddling reasonable rapids on her kayak, trail running alongside her pup Tofu, or simply sitting still and finding solace in nature. She resides in central Virginia where she enjoys mild winters, long growing seasons, and time with her lifelong adventure buddy and husband.

Patricia Angela Dixon Sebastian, born in Belize City, is a passionate educator. She worked in the Ministry of Education for 37 years as both a teacher and then a Special Education Officer. She has also served as an adjunct lecturer at the University of Belize and a tutor in her neighborhood. Dixon's passion for education led her to enroll in the Belize Teachers Training College and receive her Bachelor's Degree in Primary Education and Master's in Special Education from the University of North Florida. Her focus is on Special Education, where she ensures students with varied abilities are well-cared for. She networks with universities and organizations to provide resources for her clients. She is married to Errol Ellis Sebastian and has four children. Dixon lives a life of faith and is a testament to the Proverbs 19:17.

Hello! I am a second career, bilingual SLP in the U.S. Virgin Islands. I graduated from SUNY Buffalo State College in 2018. I completed my CF in a skilled nursing facility in Rochester, NY before taking a position in the public schools of St. Croix in 2019. I have done everything from bilingual evaluations for preschoolers to dysphagia treatment and aphasia therapy with elderly stroke and/or dementia patients. Currently I am focused on speech and language therapy at the Jr. and Sr. High School level, but I am soon to begin a new adventure at the local hospital in St. Thomas. Prior to grad school I worked as a youth rehab counselor, a cabinet maker, a study abroad administrator, a licensed youth minister, and an outdoor educator. I grew up in a Costa Rican/American family. I attended high school in Madrid, Spain and taught English in GuangZhou, China. I am deeply interested in matters of cultural awareness, cultural sensitivity and cultural competence. In 2018 I had the privilege of presenting on the topic at the IALP conference in Taiwan. I have absolutely fallen in love with the historical, cultural and linguistic heritage of the Virgin Islands. In my free time, you can find me paddleboarding, kayaking, kiteboarding, sailing, running, camping on the beach, playing the ukulele and fostering all the stray puppies!

Stoycho was born in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria and is currently living in Sofia, the capital city of Bulgaria, with his fiancée. He graduated with master's in psychology with a pedagogics diploma from St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo. Stoycho has experience in hospitality and public relations areas. He lived in Vermont & Florida for more than 10 years. Stoycho met his fiancee in the States and they decided to come back to their homeland and form a family. His interests include fishing, reading books and traveling and meeting people from all over the world.

Evan is a native Oregonian and serves as the physical therapy/occupational therapy program supervisor for Therapy Abroad Thailand. He is a local physical therapist out of Portland, OR, Assistant Professor for Pacific University's physical therapy program, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists. He finished his orthopedic residency at the University of Illinois at Chicago and fellowship in orthopedic manual therapy from Regis University. Although he primarily specializes in orthopedics and sports, he has a huge passion for pediatrics as well. He has had multiple abroad experiences (South Africa, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, and Thailand), where he has served as a treating therapist and supervising prospective therapy students. He continues to take advantage of traveling whenever he can and learning about new cultures.

Kate Barlow, OTD is an occupational therapist (OT) from Massachusetts. She graduated with her OT degree from Boston University and then went back for her post-professional master's and doctorate at Virginia Commonwealth University. She has over 20 years of experience working in pediatrics. Kate has been teaching pediatrics at American International College in the OT program since 2015. Kate has previous experience leading students on service-learning trips to Ghana, Peru, and Ecuador. She has also traveled to Morocco to work in a neurorehabilitation clinic training physiotherapists in pediatrics. Kate is the founder of the International Interprofessional Mentorship program that provides monthly mentorship to therapists in over 20 countries. Check out the website: https://libguides.aic.edu/OT_Resources

Chastity values human interaction and connection, she believes it is the main pillar to all aspects of our existence. Her goal as a Speech Language Pathologist is to provide her clients, of all ages and walks of life, with a communication tool kit that enriches their quality of life and encourages independency to navigate their everyday world. Chastity follows a client-led approach with evidence based practice to best ensure therapy is tailored to one’s individual needs. She is well-versed in Social Thinking Methodology, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Alternative and Augmentative Communication, SOS Approach to Feeding, Natural Language Acquisition Framework, and Aphasia Therapy to name a few. In her free time, Chastity enjoys taking Spanish and Italian language classes, immersing herself in various cultures while traveling, being in nature, and spending time with loved ones.

Jess has 10 years of experience as a speech-language pathologist working in a variety of settings including a pediatric clinic, in-home, and schools. She has supervised graduate students from Chapman University (her alma-mater). Jess specializes in Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) and has worked with multiple funding sources to help children and adults gain access to these systems. Jess firmly believes in presuming competence and feels that everyone deserves a voice. When she is not working, Jess enjoys traveling and has visited over 30 countries. Some of Jess’ favorite places she’s explored are Portugal, Spain, Lebanon, and Denmark.

Jenna completed her Bachelors in Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. She then escaped the cold north to earn her Masters in Occupational Therapy at the University of St. Augustine School of Health Science in Florida. From there, she specialized in upper extremity rehabilitation and honed her adaptive splinting skills. Recently, Jenna was drawn to the creativity and diversity of pediatric therapy. Since beginning her adventure in pediatrics, she has been drawn to the effects of trauma on the neurodevelopment of people and interventions to help reorganize the nervous system. She loves to build activities around the client’s strengths and interests. In her free time, she can be found reading, outside with her dog, and running around with her three nephews.

Milca is a Florida native who enjoys music, sewing, trying different foods, church activities and connecting with people. Following her Bachelor’s in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the Florida State University, she moved to North Carolina for a teaching opportunity. She later obtained her Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro and has since called N.C. her second home. Milca’s interest in traveling began with her own experiences going to and from her family’s native country Haiti and navigating two cultures/languages. She developed an affinity for international traveling in college through studying abroad in England and participating in cultural exchange programs in Jamaica and Germany. In addition to working with culturally and linguistically diverse populations in the U.S., Milca has had the opportunity to provide sustainable clinical services in Haiti. She enjoys collaborating with individuals, families and other professionals to help break communication barriers. Her clinical experiences include working in schools, homes and private practice clinics. She currently runs a small private practice focusing on teletherapy school contracts, AAC and stuttering.

“Ms. A” has been working as an Occupational Therapist for over 16 years. She has focused on School- Based OT and Early Intervention but also enjoys treating Adults and helping them regain a meaningful and fulfilling life. She has treated people with a variety of abilities, syndromes, and spectrum disorders from Autism to Down and other Syndromes, and Traumatic Brain Injuries. Adrienne is a Certified Handwriting Specialist through Handwriting Without Tears and she is an author of handwriting books, workbooks, and functional journals. She publishes YouTube Videos, courses and multimedia materials as her desire is to help more children and families on a broader basis. Adrienne has operated Write Track Therapy and Education Specialists since 2009 and approaches therapy from a holistic manner including sensory integration, nature, animals, nutritional aspects, brain re-training and individual interests. She also conducts engaging seminars and professional development courses.

Leslie is a licensed Speech Pathologist, Hatha & Yin yoga instructor, and Holistic Health Practitioner. After earning her Master’s degree from Florida State University, she began working to give children and adults the gift of voice, and the gift of wellness. As a speech pathologist, and owner of The Kids Yoga and Speech Center, she has worked with all ages, treating a variety of speech and language disorders. A holistic approach to speech and wellness is what piqued her interest in using alternative tools for therapy. She might use nature, music, aromatherapy, mindfulness practices, relaxation techniques, animals, or yoga during a session. She looks at the “whole person” when deciding her treatment, which includes her clients’ spiritual, emotional, physical, and social well-being. She is also soon to be board certified with the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. Leslie spends much of her free time exploring the world, relaxing or meditating on the beach, hiking along a scenic trail, or writing in her journal.

Lisa Lachance, originally from Maine (has lived in 8 different states and Germany), is a medical Speech-Language Pathologist, with 30+ years of experience working with the adult neurogenic population in the acute hospital setting. She continues to work clinically and is currently a Clinical Assistant Professor, at Chapman University, with areas of expertise in swallowing, voice, and motor speech disorders. She is a clinic director of the university funded Adult Learning Lab that provides pro bono evaluation and treatment services to adults with language and cognitive-communication disorders. Lisa has 20 years of experience as a graduate student clinical supervisor. She also works to promote interprofessional education in healthcare. Volunteer work includes a community-based BE HEARD group for people with Parkinson’s Disease. She is the proud mother of two amazing daughters, a dog and a cat. In her free time, she stays active by going to the gym, hiking/backpacking, gardening, and exploring new places. To relax, she likes to read, do jigsaw puzzles and crafts, listen to music and binge watch a great show. She is super excited to be a part of the Therapy Abroad program.

Carly received her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science degrees from Baylor University, both in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She most recently finished her third year as a Travel Speech-Language Pathologist, moving back to her hometown of Denver, Colorado. During travel therapy, she enjoyed working in a variety of locations and SLP settings from coast to coast, including inpatient and outpatient rehab, as well as acute care. She is passionate about helping people find their voice, from early intervention patients to geriatric patients, during an Autism diagnosis or after a stroke, or the moments proceeding a TBI or a prolonged extubation. She believes it’s a similar experience when someone gets the chance to immerse themselves in a new country for the first time, striving to encourage them to also find their voice and perspective. She has been to several countries throughout Africa, Europe, Central America, and South America. She now works with medically fragile pediatrics and infants in home health, and PRN’s at a level one trauma hospital as well as an inpatient rehab hospital. In her free time, Carly loves rock climbing, hiking, exploring, running, surfing, traveling, visiting old friends, and meeting new friends.

Noel Marie Spina received her BS in physical therapy, with a physiology minor from California State University (CSU), Long Beach and her DPT from Western University of Health Sciences.  She is a senior clinician at Children’s Hospital Orange County specializing in caring for medically complex infants as well as young children diagnosed with cancer.  With over 20 years of experience in pediatrics, she specializes in collaborative treatment incorporating family-centered care and community integration for the infant, early intervention and school aged populations.  Noel teaches the pediatric curriculum for the Department of Physical Therapy at California State University Long Beach and is faculty in training for the renowned Dr. Mary Massery.  She remains passionately involved in innovative, evidenced-based program development and community outreach, collaborating with and consulting for a variety of adaptive recreational programs and community agencies.   Noel is an APTA pediatric certified specialist, a certified clinical instructor, and an APTA Pediatric Program Committee member.  She holds certifications and advanced training in Prechtl’s General Movement Assessment of Infants, Neonatal Touch and Massage, Sensory Integration and Praxis and Neurodevelopmental Therapy (NDT). Noel’s love is her family and her joy is sharing small moments of life with others.  She and her partner Jim are avid cyclists and watermen with a passion for the outdoors.

Callie received her Bachelors of Arts in Linguistics from UNC-Chapel Hill in May of 2019, and her Masters of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from East Carolina University in May of 2021. She completed her CF in a skilled nursing facility, then shifted her focus primarily to pediatrics in both outpatient and public school settings. Callie most enjoys working with pediatric feeding disorders and has experience with lactation counseling through her CLC certification. In addition, she also works closely with dysphagia, aphasia, and dysarthria in acute care settings as a PRN employee. Outside of speech-language pathology, her interests include history, exploring other cultures through traveling, painting, hiking, and creative writing.

Marisa Dana, MOT, OTR/L received her Master’s in Occupational Therapy in 2015 from Nova Southeastern University after receiving her Bachelor of Science Degree in Communication and minor in Recreation. She has advanced training in the SOS Feeding Approach, Sensory Integrative Intensive, Handwriting without Tears, and Clinical Management of the Spinal Cord Injury. While Marisa has honed her expertise in the pediatric realm, her versatility extends to skilled nursing, acute care, home health, and schools. Specialty services include sensory driven feeding needs, aquatic therapy, full comprehensive pediatric and adult occupational therapy evaluations. Marisa’s professional journey spans across diverse age groups and conditions, including orthopedic injuries, chronic illnesses, developmental disabilities, pre/post-operative care, and more. Her commitment to patient well-being is evident in her genuine care and attentiveness to their priorities, aiming for the best functional outcomes.

Stacy is a native New Yorker currently residing in Cleveland, Ohio. She completed her Masters in Occupational Therapy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her Assistive Technology Practitioner certificate from Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA). Currently, as the Program Director of the AT&AEM Center at OCALI, Stacy leads initiatives that enhance access to assistive technologies and accessible educational materials across Ohio and beyond. Her career includes leadership in multiple school districts, state-level roles, university instruction, and consultation across five states.  Stacy started traveling abroad over 15 years ago with the CITTI project, building capacity in communities in Ecuador to create low-cost sustainable adaptations and tools to improve the function and participation of individuals with disabilities at home, school, and their community. As a team coordinator traveling during summers over 5 years, Stacy assisted in developing two publications that provide examples and strategies for creating resources from locally available materials for increasing participation at home and school. In her free time, Stacy enjoys traveling with her family, hiking, yoga, live music, and exploring new places. She is excited to be joining the Therapy Abroad team and combining her love of traveling and her love for Occupational Therapy.

Cheri Dodge Chin is an assistive technology consultant, speech pathologist, adjunct professor, and published researcher. Dr. Dodge is a pioneer in the world of SLP blogs and social media. She was one of the first SLP bloggers and her blog, Super Power Speech, contains over 700 posts. Dr. Dodge is the proud mama of two young adults and two adorable (but naughty) dogs. She and her husband live in beautiful Portland, Oregon. In her free time, you can find her hiking, Pelotoning, or reading.

Natalie is a state licensed and certified speech and language pathologist in the state of California. She began her college experience at California State University, San Bernardino earning a degree in Psychology. Next, she earned a multiple subject Cross Cultural, Language, and Academic Development Teaching Credential. This led to a path as a Deaf/Hard of Hearing teacher in the San Bernardino Unified School District.  She enjoyed this work for three years and developed a love of speech and language skills.  This led to returning to school to complete a Graduate degree at California State University, Fullerton in Communicate Disorders.  Natalie has currently worked for the Corona Norco Unified School District for more than 20 years.  During this time, she has worked with students from three years old to 22 years.  Natalie enjoys traveling, rock climbing, yoga and spending time with family.

Marissa is a Speech-Language Pathologist with a passion for working with cleft palate and craniofacial disorders. She obtained her B.A. in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Indiana University and her M.S. in Speech Language Pathology from Purdue University. From there, she completed her clinical fellowship at The Center for Cleft and Craniofacial Disorders in Atlanta, GA. She then worked with a range of pediatric populations in a private practice setting. Marissa moved to Corpus Christi, TX in 2018 and served the children of South Texas for 3 years. As part of her role on the rehabilitation team at Driscoll Children’s Hospital, she flew to McAllen, TX monthly for craniofacial clinics. In 2021, Marissa returned to the Midwest and accepted a position as an SLP for The Craniofacial Anomalies Program through the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI. Marissa has also had the privilege of working with many different nonprofit organizations (Operation Smile, Smile Train, etc) to serve the cleft palate population overseas through direct treatment and training local therapists. Countries visited include China, Philippines, Cambodia, India, and Mexico. She is excited to be continuing her work with disadvantaged populations by joining the Therapy Abroad team. When Marissa is not working, she is hiking with her dog or trying different artistic projects.

Rennie T. Saltzman, PT, DPT, earned her Bachelor of Science in the Physical Therapy Department of New York University’s School of Education in 1997 and her Doctor of Physical Therapy with an elective in Pediatric Science from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in 2011.    She is an APTA Board Certified Pediatric Clinical specialist, an APTA certified clinical instructor and an APTA PT Moves Me Ambassador.  Rennie is the Vice President of Pediatrics at Easter Seals Superior of Sacramento, California.  She is a lecturer and teaching assistant for the Department of Physical Therapy at California State University Sacramento.  With over 20 years of experience in pediatrics she is involved in direct patient care for clients aged 0-21 as well as administrative and academia-related responsibilities.  She is a passionate advocate for integration of diversity, equality and inclusion within the health care profession and has provided guest lectures on the topic to physical therapy programs throughout California. She holds certifications in Prechtl’s General Movement Assessment, Yoga Instruction, Green Belt/project ImPACT (Improving Parents and Communication Teachers) and Kinesiotaping.  Rennie provides continuing education courses integrating yoga and pediatric physical therapy.  Her joy is her family including her husband and son, all of whom are avid rock climbers, snow skiers and adventurers.

Tara claims Oklahoma City and the DFW metroplex as home. She is currently living in Atlanta, Georgia running a small private practice with emphasis on early childhood intervention. Tara also contracts with the Atlanta Public School District as a school physical therapist. Tara received her Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy from Alabama State University in 2005. She has practiced as a physical therapist since August 2003. Tara has worked in several settings in her career, with her initial start in an outpatient orthopedic setting. Tara continued her PT journey practicing in the following settings; school districts (Texas and Georgia), army base in Fort Steward as lead PT in the Warrior in Transition Battalion, aquatic therapy supervisor, private practice Lead Therapist and in acute medicine. Tara’s main passion in the therapy field continues to be with the pediatric population with the emphasis of early childhood intervention. She is currently working closely with family and services in the Clarkston area of Atlanta, which includes a refugee resettlement program. She finds joy with supporting families and providing resources for optimal health. Tara is interested in all things that include movement and wellness including aquatics aerobics, strength training and yoga. She is excited to join the Therapy Abroad team to provide service abroad and learn different cultures.

Jennifer has been a school-based SLP for 14 years. She received her undergraduate degree at Northern Arizona University in Electronic Media and after working in the broadcast/news field for several years, she decided to go back to school to earn her MS in Communication Sciences and Disorders from East Carolina University in partnership with the University of Alaska Anchorage while living in Alaska. In addition to helping children communicate and be able to work collaboratively with amazing people in the educational setting, she loves the work-life balance that being an SLP has afforded her.  She has the opportunity to work with preschool - 8th-grade students and is passionate about supporting future SLPs. Jennifer has supervised several graduate-level students for their school-based rotations and also supervises SLPAs in the home health setting. In her free time, Jennifer loves traveling and is always planning her next adventure. She also loves going to concerts, attempting to garden, and spending time with her husband, daughter, and kitties in beautiful Arizona.

Leah is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Chapman University. She specializes in social communication, specifically in the middle and high school populations. Her current projects include training middle/high school students about code switching, social interactions with authority figures and language use in high stress situations. Additionally, she trains parole officers and police officers about what language disorders are and how to interact with someone who has one. She also conducts private, in-home therapy for a range of children from 18 months to 10 years old. She has experience in early intervention, AAC and with a wide range of disorders. Leah is also the faculty advisor for the CU National Student Speech-Language Hearing Association chapter. In her spare time Leah enjoys hiking, kayaking and traveling anywhere in the world.

Lisa is a bilingual speech-language pathologist currently working in the public schools near Santa Cruz, CA. She received her B.S. from the University of Illinois and her M.S. from San Francisco State University. She was an instructor and clinical supervisor at Southern Illinois University for five years. She specializes in bilingual language development and uses music in therapy. She has held a variety of positions including private practices, hospitals, nursing homes and public and private schools. She has traveled in Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia and the Caribbean Islands. Lisa is a certified craniosacral therapist and enjoys singing and playing the guitar and hybrid banjo-guitar.

Karen earned her BA and MA in Communication Sciences and Disorders at California State University, Chico. She couldn’t get enough of school, so she’s back and currently pursuing her Doctorate of Speech-Language Pathology at Loma Linda University. When not reading about Autism and echolalia, she’s the AAC specialist at a school district, runs her own private practice, and mentors budding Clinical Fellows.  Blending a client’s family and culture into speech therapy is a passion of her’s. She has a healthy addiction to traveling, playing board games, hiking, and collecting national park stamps.

Cynthia lives and works in Santa Cruz, CA. She received her B.S. at San Francisco State and her M.S. at University of Washington. Upon graduation she took a medical SLP position at a hospital in Santa Cruz, CA from 1992-1999, specializing in Traumatic Brain Injury rehabilitation. Her love of travel brought her to England in 2000-2001 to work at a locked head injury unit in Unsted Park, Surrey. Upon returning to California, she began work as an SLP in the Live Oak School District and has happily stayed working there since 2002. During the last 15 years, she has worked with a variety of ages and communication challenges. Currently, Cynthia works with students 12-18 years of age and most enjoys implementing the latest research in Social Thinking to delve into social communication. In 2016, she spent 5 weeks in Cusco, Peru with her 15 year old daughter going to Spanish School and volunteering at a Teen shelter. She is excited to be returning to Belize working with Therapy Abroad. When not working or volunteering, Cynthia enjoys traveling the world, listening to LPs with her family and eating her husband's cooking.

Diane is a native of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She had also spent 10 years in Phoenix, AZ, but decided to return to her roots and the four seasons. Diane earned her Master’s degree from Michigan State University and remains a fan of Spartan basketball. Throughout her career, she has worked in multiple hospitals, skilled-nursing facilities, schools, outpatient programs, and home health. In September of this year, she accepted a position at Northern Michigan University as the Director of Clinical Education. Diane’s passion has always been therapy. Taking the position at NMU made sense as a way to share her diverse clinical background with the students studying Speech Pathology/Audiology. Diane also enjoys interacting with students. She loves their creativity and energy. NMU is also planning to open its graduate program back up in June of 2021. Diane enjoys doing anything outdoors with friends/family and her dogs. She also enjoys traveling with her husband.

Phoebe obtained her Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology from Cal State San Marcos. For the past five years, she has worked with students across the education spectrum in the public schools of Orange County, California. Her passion is working with young adults with moderate to severe needs in acquiring functional communication, self-advocacy, and social skills. She also provides teletherapy services to students in Guam. In her time off, she enjoys making last minute travel plans and learning about other cultures through food. Some of the favorite cities she has travelled to include: Paris, Delhi, and Cape Town. When she is not traveling or working, she enjoys doing yoga, listening to podcasts, being by the beach, and exploring Southern California.

I am a seasoned Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) currently employed in a small school district nestled in Southwest Virginia, and I have proudly dedicated the last nine years to this fulfilling profession. I thrive in the dynamic school setting, relishing the diverse challenges that each day presents. My focus lies in providing support to students in kindergarten through third grade, specializing in addressing articulation and language disorders. Additionally, I collaborate with classrooms focusing on everyday living skills of autistic students and those with multiple disabilities. Having previously worked in an urban setting within a larger district characterized by a diverse student population, my experiences have enriched my ability to adapt to varying educational landscapes. The heart of my passion lies in connecting with students, observing their developmental milestones and navigating the rewarding, albeit occasionally challenging, journey of facilitating their progress. Therapy Abroad has expanded my horizons as well! Outside of work, I cherish time with my family and friends, relishing in outdoor activities and exploring my culinary skills. Traveling and immersing myself in different cultures are among my favorite pastimes, reflecting my enduring curiosity about the world.

Ellen serves as program advisor for Therapy Abroad’s Belize program. She has over 14 years of experience working in domestic and international special education, including applied behavior analysis, public awareness and child advocacy. Ellen served in the United States Peace Corps as a special education teacher trainer in Belize for 27 months. She knows the ins and outs of the country and has a strong language and cultural understanding of Belize. Ellen’s love for adventure and helping those in need has taken her all over the world from studying chimpanzee behavior in South Africa to backpacking through southeast Asia and working with local schools in India to increase their knowledge in working with children with autism. She most recently graduated with her master’s degree in sustainable living and is thrilled to be returning to Belize on a regular basis to work with Therapy Abroad and their mission to give students from the United States a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience and cultural awareness.