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Kevin Russo, M.A.- Kevin is owner and President of the Corporation, and one of the original founders of the company. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sports/Fitness Administration and a minor specialization in Sports Psychology from UMASS Boston in 1988. Coursework included : Sports Medicine, Exercise Physiology, Fitness Appraisal and Design, Measurement and Evaluation of PE/Athletics, Sports Psychology and Nutrition. Kevin also received a Master's Degree in Critical and Creative Thinking ( a component of the Education/Counseling and Philosophy Department) from UMB in 1996. His Master's thesis (published and copyrights 1996) was on Applying Critical and Creative Thinking to Sports Psychology and Motivation. Kevin's relative coursework included: Advanced Cognitive Psychology, Foundations of Philosophical Thought, Multiple Perspectives in the Classroom, Education Curriculum and Design, Moral and Social Issues, Critical Thinking, Creative Thinking, Educational Intervention, Issues in Educational Evaluation. Kevin's professional career includes health club management for 10 years, Director of Residential Supports for the Department of Mental Retardation (where he worked for 16 years), Director of Day Programs for South Norfolk County Association for Retarded Citizens (SNCARC), and High School Wrestling Coach for over 20 years. Kevin has coached 3 different teams to their best years ever, and he recently achieved his 250th career coaching victory. He has been selected as Coach of the Year on several occasions, and he has coached over 20 of the state's best wrestlers. He serves on the Massachusetts Coaching Executive Board for High School wrestling and he is also a veteran official for the sport as well. Kevin was a competitive natural bodybuilder from 1987-1990, competing only in drug-tested contests. He competed in the Atlantic Coast Supernatural Bodybuilding Championship in Union, N.J. in 1998 and later qualified for a National Competition. While working at DMR, Kevin served as a Labor Relations Hearings Officer, and he has also served on several Human Rights Committees over the years. He worked at Franciscan Children's Hospital as a Mental Health Specialist for almost 2 years, and he also worked at the Weaver Center as a Fitness and Behavioral Consultant prior to embarking on the ARISE journey. He received much of his behavioral training and experience at Franciscan's, such as Crisis Prevention training, Crisis Management, Behavior Plan implementation, and the facilitation of Anger Management, Coping Skills, and Behavior Modification groups. He is also a Life Coach through the American Counseling Association. Kevin is the most experienced educational advocate in the office. Elissa Noonan- Elissa graduated from the College of the Holy Cross with a BA in Psychology. She received her Masters in Education in School Counseling from Bridgewater State College with a concentration in PreK-8th grades in May of 2005.She worked in the Physical Education Department at the Sharon Middle School as a full time substitute from February 2003 to June of 2004. She currently works as a school guidance counselor for the Dudley Public Schools. Prior to that, she was a guidance counselor at the Concord Middle School. Elissa works for ARISE as a Behavioral/Life Coach.She is a Life Coach through the American Counseling Association. Roxanne Babigian-Roxanne Babigian attended Sargent College at Boston University where she received her B.S. degree and certification as a physical therapist. She works at Newton-Wellesley Hospital and is currently in the outpatient clinic there. She also consults with the Norwood Public Schools through ARISE. Roxanne consulted for three years at the Charles River Association for Retarded Citizens where she worked with clients with a variety of physical and mental disabilities. Her areas of interest include orthopaedics,pediatrics, sports injury, personal training and women's health issues. She has been with ARISE since 2003. Dr. John Passarini-Dr. John Passarini brings an insurmountable amount of experience to the company. He has a B.S. in Physical Education from University of Connecticut, M.Ed. in Health and P.E. Administration from Cambridge College, a C. A. G. S. (Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies) in Therapeutic Recreation from Boston University, and a Doctorate (Ed. D.) in Special Education, also from Boston University. He has been a teacher for 34 years, and he was one of the most successful wrestling coaches in the history of Massachusetts. He was the founder of the Massachusetts Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame, and he was certified as a strength and conditioning specialist from the National Strength and Conditioning Association. "Coach Pass," who coached Kevin Russo in High School, was nominated and won the National Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the year (2000) as well as the Disney Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award (2003). He threw out the first pitch at the Red Sox game on September 1, 2004. Dr. Barbara Miller-Dr. Barbara Miller received her Bachelor of Arts degree from McGill University, Montreal, Canada, in 1968, after finding her passion in the field of psychology. She then earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from McGill in 1973. Her interest in learning disorders was kindled during her studies. Upon graduating, she was selected as the school psychologist for Concord Public Schools. In addition, she became the school psychologist for the Concord-Carlisle Regional School District, covering both areas for six years. In 1987 she made her final transition to Concord Middle School. In 1998 she also was appointed as the Chairperson of the Concord Middle School Special Education Department. In 2003, her home state decided to honor her achievements by naming her as the Massachusetts School Psychologist of the Year. In 2007, Tufts University presented her with an Outstanding Supervisor and Mentor Award for her many years of commitment to training graduate students in school psychology. In her capacity as school psychologist, Dr. Miller performed evaluations of students and helped design individual education programs or 504 Plans; provided consultation to parents and teachers to help them better understand different learning styles; and worked with students in individual or group counseling situations, particularly around social skills difficulties. As the department chairperson, she oversaw the development and operations of special education programs; supervised and evaluated special education teachers and guidance counselors; and stayed up to date with changes in special education law. Dr. Miller has been very active in the Massachusetts School Psychologists Association, of which she is currently the president. She is also a member of the American Psychological Association and the National Association of School Psychologists. She is a licensed educational psychologist, a licensed school psychologist, and a nationally certified school psychologist. She is married and has two daughters. Dr. Miller retired from Concord and public school service in June, 2007, but her passion for her work lives on. She is available to perform extensive psychological evaluations in order to provide a neuropsychological profile of the client and identify the processes that underlie such disabilities/disorders as Specific Learning Disability, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and other attentional disorders, Non-Verbal Learning Disorder, Asperger's Disorder, Cognitive Disorders, Executive Function Disorder, and Emotional Disorders. Her years of experience with a wide array of young people allow her to distinguish normal developmental issues from true disorders and to identify strengths as well as weaknesses. In addition, Dr. Miller is available to participate at Team meetings at the school, collaborate and consult with other professionals, and provide support services (consultation and counseling) to parent and child. Jennifer Monaghan-Jennifer Monaghan is both an experienced certified adjustment counselor and special needs teacher. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology, Special Education and Elementary Education from Marist College. She attended UMass Boston, majoring in Mental Health Counseling, and received her Master's Degree in Education in 2002. Jennifer has worked as a mental health counselor at Help, Inc, and as a teacher at Westwood Lodge Hospital and the Lighthouse School.Jennifer worked at the READS Academy as a school adjustment couselor for several years before joining ARISE. Jennifer joined the ARISE staff in 2006. Christopher R. Linskey-Christopher Linskey graduated in 1996 from Plymouth State University in New Hamsphire with a BS in Physical Education, minoring in Health, Nutrition and Coaching. He has been working at the Lighthouse School, Inc. in Chelmsford MA since 1996 as a behavioral specialist, community therapist and APE/PE instructor. He is also the varsity coach at the school. Christopher began consulting at ARISE in 2006. He is a Life Coach through the American Counseling Association. Christine Woodland-Christine Woodland graduated from Providence College in May 2007 where she majored in Psychology and minored in Sociology. She has worked as a teacher's aide at an Integrated Preschool Summer Program working one on one with children with disabilities. She also volunteered for three years at the Perkins School for the Blind where she worked with visually impaired children. She currently works at the New England Center for Children while pursuing a Master's Degree in Severe Special Needs at Simmons College. She also works as as substitute teacher for the Westwood Public Schools servicing students with Autism through the Partnership Program with NECC. Christine provides life skill support to individuals serviced through ARISE. John Kelley-John Kelley joins ARISE with a backround in Social Work. He received a BA from Westfield State College in both Sociology and Social Work. He works for the Department of Social Services in Cambridge, MA. John has worked with children in a variety of capacities including,camp counselor, middle school wrestling coach, and as a group leader at Youthcare; a summer therapeutic program. John is working as a Behavioral/Life Coach for ARISE. He is a Life Coach through the American Counseling Association. Jennifer Alosso- Jennifer Alosso attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst where she received her B.A. in Psychology and Sociology with a certificate in Criminal Justice. She has been working as a Residential Counselor at the Obsessive Compulsive Disorders Institute at McLean Hospital for four years. Jennifer started with ARISE as a Life Coach in 2006. She is a Life Coach throught the American Counseling Association. |