Mission Statement –
To provide a structured learning environment, by using the best, developmentally appropriate teaching strategies. This is accomplished through small class sizes with a small student teacher/instructional assistant ratio. Our staff is specially trained and chosen for their exceptional skills at dealing with children with special needs.
Philosophy –
If every child is given the tools and opportunity they can achieve success. Pieceful Solutions respects the individuality of every child and uses each child’s strengths to build self-confidence and create success with an individual program.
Vision -
Pieceful Solutions will provide:
Support for every student and their family
Opportunities for all students to enhance their lives
Language enriched curriculums
Unique programs based on specific needs
Therapeutic strategies including sensory, fine motor, music, language, and play
Independent learning to promote independent living
Open communication among school, therapists, parents and others involved in the lives of the student
Nurturing environment with skilled, trained and loving staff
Social skills training using innovative techniques
History -
Pieceful Solutions was created by Kami Cothrun, M. Ed. in 2008. As a former public school elementary special education teacher, habilitation provider/consultant and business owner, Kami still had dreams of creating a school that would be created with children with autism in mind. With a masters in special education and 10 years experience with children with autism (5 years owning a state funded habilitation and respite agency) Kami felt she had much more to offer children with autism and their families. Kami noticed that the children needed to be able to generalize their skills through different modalities and environments.
Photos -
Staff
Pieceful Solutions currently has a director, a clerk, four certified special educators and sixteen instructional assistants. We offer weekly yoga, karate and music specifically geared toward our children. To learn more about how our staff will be best used for your child's learning, see Programs.
All staff are trained prior to working with Pieceful Solutions students. In addition they are required to continue to attend autism trainings and seminars. Staff are observed by administration once a month and rewarded for outstanding performance. Pieceful Solutions strives to hire quality and dedicated staff. Staff must have their fingerprint clearance card, CPR and First Aid.
Kami Cothrun, M.Ed - Director/Owner/Administrator:
Kami is a former public school elementary special education teacher, habilitation provider/consultant and business owner. She has her bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Science and a master’s degree in Special Education. With 5 years teaching experience including lesson planning, IEPs and data collection and 10 years experience with children with autism (5 years owning a state funded habilitation and respite agency) it has always been her goal to create a school designed specifically for children with autism. By using her degrees and experience, all curriculum will be created for, and focused on the special individualized learning needs of each child as well as a language component in each lesson. Kami can’t wait for the exciting journey ahead as she owns and operates Pieceful Solutions. Helping children affected by autism and their families is her passion. Kami lives in east Mesa with her husband, two girls and 2 dogs.
Kym Wilbur - Administrative Assistant and Parent Liaison:
Kym is a devoted mother of a twelve year old boy with autism. Kym has experience with special education in the schools (IEPs etc.), DDD services, medical doctors and insurances. She is the “been there, done that” mother of a child on the spectrum and is always willing to share her research, resources and insight to other families and especially those who are new to the autism community. In addition to being an advocate for her son, Kym has participated in and observed MANY therapists and is amazing at applying all that she has observed to other children she is working with.
Janet Seidl OTR/L - Occupational therapist:
Janet has been working as an occupational therapist for the past fifteen years both privately and within the educational system. She has experience working with children and adults with a variety of diagnoses, most specifically those within the autism spectrum. Janet has piloted and worked within various programs and private schools specializing in autism spectrum disorders. In addition, she is frequently requested to complete forensic evaluations for legal cases. She has serviced specialized programs as well as mainstream classrooms in both district and charter schools throughout the state and provides training and seminars throughout the country. Janet is married and lives in Gilbert with her husband and three girls. They are an active family enjoying competitive swim, gymnastics, and soccer.
Jeanette Runnings, OTR/L, KKY, RCYP1-2: Yoga teacher:
Jeanette Runnings has been a Pediatric Occupational therapist for over 20 years. She has worked in schools, clinics and home health. Her therapeutic approach has been considered “eclectic” taking from many theories and approaches to get the greatest benefit for her kids. After taking yoga classes for several years, she began adding yoga to her therapy practice and teaching children’s yoga in 2005 after attending children’s yoga trainings. She created the Yoga-Yingo game series to help kids and families learn yoga in a fun game format. The benefits of yoga for children are many, and include things like reduced stress, self calming skills, greater coordination, balance, self confidence and focus. You can learn more about Jeanette, her classes and games by visiting her website: www.yoga-yingo.com
Ryan Olmstead, MT-BC, NMT, SLPA - Music therapist and karate instructor:
Ryan has been working with children with various diagnoses over the last 8 years. He graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Music Therapy and began working as a Board Certified Music Therapist. He obtained his certification as a Neurologic Music Therapist from Colorado State in 2009. Ryan has just completed his certification as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant through Northern Arizona University. In addition to these roles, Ryan has been in Chinese Kenpo Karate for over a decade through the city of Tempe. In 2007 Ryan became an assistant instructor and in 2009 began teaching several classes geared toward children with varying abilities. The classes have been a huge success, and have been very advantageous for creating a social environment that includes exercise, structure, following directions and having fun! He is the choir director at his church, and also gives private trumpet and guitar lessons. Ryan is a dedicated, loyal and energetic personality. He lives in Mesa with his wife and two young children.
Staci received her Master of Science in Speech Pathology from Arizona State University and her
Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorder from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Staci has worked with children that have various disabilities including Autism,
Cerebral Palsy, and Down Syndrome since 1998. Staci's
specialized skills including working with Alternative Augmentative Communication (AAC) such as
high tech devices, PECs, and communication boards. She is a co-creator of
Alexicom Tech, the world's first internet-based AAC system. Staci has lived in
the valley since 2001 where she met her husband. She has a energetic 1 year old
boy and caring 12 year old step son. Staci enjoys hiking, camping, visiting
family, and helping children.
Kimberly Evans - Special Education Teacher:
Ms. Evans has been working with exceptional people since she 14 years old! She holds a B.A. in Psychology with a focus on children, and a M.A.Ed in Special Education. She has spent two years working in classrooms with students on the autism spectrum and finds joy in supporting these unique children in discovering their strengths and gifts.Prior to her classroom experience she worked with Arizona's Early Intervention Program. She has experience with ABA, TEACCH, Floortime, Social Thinking and many other strategies to best support students. As a parent herself, she understands the need for open communication and welcomes all questions and inquiries into your student's day. During her free time she enjoys traveling with her daughter (Seattle this summer!), camping, swimming reading and yoga. She is an experiential learner,and enjoys getting her hands dirty to learn!
Caitlin Brides-Special Education Teacher:
Caitlin has been working with Children with Special Needs since high school when she volunteered in her high schools life skills classroom. Originally from Massachusetts, She attended Bridgewater State College now known as Bridgewater State University receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education as well as a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. After College she moved and worked in Southern California for 3 years working both in the home as well as the classroom in the Special Education field before moving to Arizona. Caitlin has worked with various disabilities but largely with the Autism community. Some of her vast background includes applied behavioral analysis (ABA), PECS, American Sign Language and TEACCH. She has also worked many events for the Special Olympics such as their aquatics meet. In her free time she loves soccer, zumba and music! She loves to include music in her teaching when she can!
Kathy Gerencser - Special Education Teacher:
Kathy has lived in Arizona for most of her life. She has a daughter, Nina, who is a student at the University of Michigan. She is currently in pursuit of her master’s degree in BABCA. She has two Chihuahuas, Teeka and Chloe to help fill her empty nest. Her idea of relaxing is enjoying the great outdoors. She likes to camp and hike in the high country. She feels there is nothing better than a good book to read while sitting under the pines or waiting for the fish to bite.
For the past thirteen years, she has been working with children with Autism. Although she has worked with children at a variety of different levels, her experience also includes working with private families on a one to one basis. It is her desire to keep an open communication system with her students and their families. She is committed to give children with autism the best tools and strategies to become successful and independent in their daily lives.
Jaleesa Atkins-Instructional Assistant:
Jaleesa has been working with special needs children for almost 5 years now, and she loves every minute of it. She recently moved to Gilbert from Southern California in June 2010, and so far loves everything but the heat. She obtained her EMT-B certification in October 2010 and is working on completing Paramedic school. Jaleesa loves first-aid, and anything that has to do with health care. She especially loves playing with the kids on a daily basis, and making them use their imaginations constantly. She has a ton of patience and loves to work one on one with the children as often as possible. Jaleesa also believes that every child is capable of completing any struggle life brings them and she will be there to help them along the way.
Karen Goetsch--Instructional Assistant:
Karen is a dedicated care-giver who has been working with special needs children for many years---and one, in particular, for nearly four years now. Karen has experience working with children, in a classroom setting but especially enjoys a one one one approach for more individualized attention. She understands that each child has his/her own characteristics, learning styles and temperaments and adjusts her instruction accordingly. Karen has two grown children, one grandson and has lived in Mesa for ten years.
Stacey Garst - Instructional Assistant:
Stacey has a lot of experience and passion when it comes to working with our special kiddos. She is the mother of a 14 yr old special needs son so fully understands how important it is to have compassionate and experienced habilitator working with your children. In addition to the 14 yrs of working with her own son with pt, ot, music, speech and socialization therapies, she has practical experience. She has worked with children with autism in the Gilbert School District ages 6 to 14 as a Paraprofessional, in-center as a Specialized Habilitator working with 2 to 6 yr olds in a preschool setting and as an independant contractor with children in their families homes. She has an art degree which she has utilized in a classroom setting intoducing opportunities for socialization, fine motor, cognitive and sensory projects. Her compassion is only equalled by her passion for helping all the children she works with to reach their potential.
Boyd Runnings-Instructional Assistant:
This is Boyd's second year with Pieceful Solutions. He started out as a volunteer during one summer. His experiences include volunteering and assisting with special needs horseriding, swimming and yoga programs. He likes to play golf and ride his bike. He did a fundraising bike ride from Omaha to Denver in 2004 to raise awareness for Huntington's Disease.
Justin Cothrun- Instructional Assistant:
Justin has been working with special needs children since October of 2011. After working in retail as a manager for five years Justin looked for a change in career and now has a strong passion for working with children who have special needs. Justin is currently attending school at Grand Canyon University to recieve his Bachelor's Degree in Regular/Special Education. Justin is excited to become a teacher in the near future. Justin feels working with students with autism is very enjoable and rewarding. Justin strives to see students progress to that next level of learning.
Natalie Tucker - Instructional Assistant:
This is Natalie’s first year at Pieceful Solutions and she is very excited for the coming school year. Natalie has a bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Science from Arizona State University and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Special Education with an emphasis in autism. She is also pursuing certification to become a licensed Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Natalie has experience working with children on the spectrum as a habilitation therapist and as a one-on-one aid in a school setting. She has experience conducting behavior assessments and creating IEPS. Natalie is excited to further her knowledge and experience with autism and is looking forward to working with the wonderful students at Pieceful Solutions.
Gloria Sharp-Instructional Assistant
Gloria has been a dedicated caregiver to children for the past 20 years. Six years ago, Gloria moved from Chicago to Phoenix to work with her nephew who has autism. Through this experience, she realized her passion to help children with special needs reach their full potential. She has been effective in working in schools as an instructional aide and in clients’ homes as a habilitation and respite provider.
Also, she takes college courses and attends seminars continually to help her learn new strategies and best practices in finding solutions to the challenges that arise when working with these special children. She is excited to join Pieceful Solutions to help these children reach their full potential academically and socially!
