Mitra has 12 years of experience with non-verbal and verbal kids on the autism spectrum both in private practice and in public/non-public education. She follows a developmental model that emphasizes social and functional communication. Her passion derives from her niece, who has autism. She personally experienced the challenges families face when a child is diagnosed on the autism spectrum. Her work is dedicated to meeting the needs of the families as well as the children. Mitra is currently working on her PhD in Infant Mental Health and Developmental Disorders through the Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental and Learning Disorders.

Keri completed her Masters in Occupational Therapy and has been working with children and adults with special needs for about 18 years within a variety of environments (schools, recreational events, community involvement). Occupational Therapy presented as a natural fit in furthering her passion for supporting individuals and their families in working towards greater independence and active participation in everyday life. Using a DIR®/Floortime™ approach assists her belief that in order to successfully support individuals, we need to further explore what is truly meaningful and motivating. Keri has participated in various trainings that incorporate DIR®/Floortime™ and plans to further her level of training to receive certification.

Aurora received her B.A. in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. She has 5 years of experience working with children and teens with Autism in many settings including in home therapy, non public school, and public school settings. Her future professional plans include going back to school for her masters in speech language pathology.

Melissa earned a bachelor’s in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. In addition to working at Creekside, Melissa is a graduate student at Notre Dame de Namur University in their Marriage and Family Therapy/ Art therapy program. Melissa has been working with kids of all ages over the last 7 years in various fields from sports camps, preschools, in-home services, foster and group home youth, and juvenile correctional facilities. She also worked in a program for children who have autism ranging in age from 2-12, that focused on behavior, academic, and school support.

Erik earned his bachelors in Psychology and has been working with those who have special needs for 6 years. He first came into the field of special education during a period of uncertainty after graduating, not knowing where to take his career and ended up loving every moment it! He would like to continue to learn as much as possible about this population, gaining experience in effective teaching strategies, and then applying this knowledge to researching all aspects of autism. Erik is especially interested in the challenges faced by adults with autism. His future career plans include getting a master’s in special education, attaining DIR® certification, and perhaps a PhD in neurology.

Rita has been working with children for the last 9 years. She was drawn to this field initially as a caregiver for young children, including those with special needs. Rita has been with The Creekside School since it’s start in 2007. Her favorite components of working within the DIR® philosophy are getting on the floor and playing with kids, getting to know who they are as individuals and learning what makes them tick. Rita has participated in the Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental and Learning Disorders (ICDL) Institute's DIR® and Floortime Player programs at two different institutes. She notes that it is through relationships that we all grow and learn - it is what makes life meaningful.

Kelly earned a master’s in Educational Administration and holds a Professional Clear Multiple Subject teaching credential with CLAD certification, a Professional Clear Single Subject teaching Credential in Art, and an Administrative Services credential. Kelly has worked with children and young adults since 2001 as a lead classroom teacher, a teaching assistant, a tutor, and a consultant. She has taught art, academics, and special education in a variety of learning environments to students ranging in ability levels from gifted/talented to those with significant educational needs. After working for several years in a special education classroom for young adults at a Non Public School (NPS) serving students with severe cognitive and behavioral challenges, she was given the opportunity to run a satellite campus in San Francisco. It was then that she discovered her interest in school administration, family advocacy, and teacher support/advocacy. Kelly finds her role at Creekside to be most rewarding because she is able to lead and facilitate the successful growth of an entire school community, and see how those results ultimately impact each student she serves.

Darla earned her bachelors degree in Liberal Arts with a concentration in sociology and has been working with children and adults with special needs for over five years. She has worked with those who have a wide variety of special needs in a residential camp setting and a NPS (non-public school) providing center and home-based Floortime™ services. Since falling in love with the DIR® model three years ago, she has not been able to see herself doing anything else. She plans to continue to develop her skills in Floortime™ and continue to build solid connections with children for as long as possible.

McKenzie holds a bachelor's in education with a minor in special education and started working with kids on the autism spectrum 13 years ago. Her first experience was teaching swimming lessons to all children, including those with autism. Through this, she began learning how to make adaptations in her teaching style and found that her students responded well. From there she began working at a school district, coordinating with the Adaptive Physical Education Specialist to provide after school aquatic-based Physical Education. In 2005, McKenzie helped to start an adaptive aquatics program for several sports and wellness centers.

Karen is a Registered Music Therapist with a bachelor's degree in Music Therapy and a master's degree in special education. Karen has been a professional member of the American Music Therapy association since 1982. Karen is a licensed Kindermusik educator and has been working with children with special needs for over 20 years. Her work experience includes teaching in the classroom and working as a Music Therapist for various city, state and county departments, and for several public school districts in the South Bay. Karen also has a Music Therapy private practice in San Jose. Karen has enjoyed working with Creekside School since 2007. She believes that all children, regardless of their abilities, can engage in successful musical experiences and use music as a tool to build and support other skills.

Natalia completed her Master's degree in Speech Language Pathology, and is very passionate about working with children and teens on the autism spectrum as well as families and care-takers to support and enhance functional communication.  She worked with children with autism and other developmental challenges from a variety of cultural and linguistic backgrounds, and has special training in bilingual/multilingual/multicultural speech and language development and disorders.  She follows a developmental and relationship-based approach, and integrates DIR principles into her work.  Natalia plans to pursue a PhD in the area of autism and contribute to clinically relevant research in this important field.

Chris holds a bachelors degree in fine art and a Level I Education Specialist Credential. He has been working in schools both public and private for over ten years. Chris has worked in educational technology and won a number of awards for his project-based learning strategies using technology with elementary students and students with special needs. He believes that the role of the teacher is to join with others, as a catalyst to help students explore their environment, to express themselves and to promote educational excitement, exploration, and discovery. Chris believes that providing children with open avenues to express joy and wonder at the sheer experience of learning is the most fulfilling occupation one can have. His goal with every student is to guide them on a path toward greater peace and purpose.

Jem holds a bachelor’s in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology and a Level I Education Specialist Credential. Jem has been working with children for the past 7 years as the lead teacher of a Special Day Class, a class with students who have significant behavioral challenges, and as a resource pull-out teacher. Her passion for helping others began at a young age when she would tutor peers in elementary school and this passion continues today. Jem’s future plans include getting certified in DIR® and attaining a Level II teaching credential.

Rachel holds a Master's degree in Counseling and Art Therapy, and brings her background in the field of mental health to the team. She has a passion for working with children, especially in the field of Art Therapy. Rachel blends her creativity and background in relationship-based therapy with the principles of DIR® to provide therapeutic art experiences at the school. Prior to joining the Creekside team, Rachel worked in a counseling agency assessing the developmental needs of infants and counseling their families. Her future plans include DIR® certification, and she is currently working toward ATR licensure in Art Therapy and LPCC licensure in counseling.