COLLABORATIVE RESOURCE NETWORK
MEMBERS
Carey Heller, Psy.D.
Licensed Psychologist
The Heller Psychology Group LLC
6320 Democracy Blvd
Bethesda, Maryland 20817
301-385-2610
Dr. Carey Heller is a licensed psychologist. His assessment specialties include evaluations for learning disabilities, ADHD, and mood/behavioral disorders in children and adolescents. Dr. Heller's therapy specialties include work with children, adolescents, and young adults for issues including: ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, depression, anxiety, and life transition issues. He also specializes in treating executive functioning issues (i.e., those related to time management, organizational, study skills) and loves to use technology (i.e., ipod/smartphone apps) to assist individuals in coping more effectively with deficits in this domain. In addition, for children and young adolescents who need active activities to help them engage in treatment, Dr. Heller uses tools such as playing catch, floor hockey, and mini golf. He will also use video games (with prior permission) if needed. Dr. Heller currently provides assessment services as well as individual therapy and ADHD/executive functioning coaching services within the context of individual treatment. He received his doctorate in clinical psychology from The George Washington University.
In addition to his work with the practice, Dr. Heller is an assistant clinical professor of clinical psychology at The George Washington University, providing assessment supervision to graduate students. He also serves as the coordinator for the Montgomery County chapter of Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) and on the board of Washington Independent Services For Educational Resources (WISER). Additionally, Dr. Heller is a national topic expert contributor on ADHD for goodtherapy.org. Furthermore, he publishes a local blog on parenting for Montgomery Community Media.
Diane Lewis, M.A., CCC-SLP
Diane Lewis, MA, CCC-SLP holds the license issued by the State of Maryland issued by the Board os Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers and Speech-Language Pathologists. She, also, hold the Certificate of Clinical Competence issued by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association.
Jill Broder, M.Ed.
Founder
Jill Broder's Tutoring Center
9901 Belward Campus Drive #100
Rockville, MD 208503017627323
jillbroderstutoringcenter@yahoo.com
www.jillbroderstutoringcenter.com
"I have always known that I have a passion for teaching and helping others," says Jill Broder, whose 30 years of experience in education are a testament to just how serious this mission is to her. While passion for her work is the driving force behind her endeavors, Jill has the credentials to show for it as well. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland as a Bachelor of Science in Special Education, and then proceeded to earn a Master of Education Degree with a focus in Remedial Reading and Math, specializing in education for the gifted and talented. As a professional educator today, Jill continues to work with students who have learning disabilities, executive functioning issues, and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD).Jill's commitment to education is deeply rooted in personal history and fueled by the motivation to improve the learning of those around her. She was set firmly on her career path at an early age, when her brother, then a third-grader, was diagnosed with dyslexia and attention deficit hyperactive disorder. "My mother’s main objective," Jill recalls, "was to ensure that his optimism, his zest for life, and his overall positive demeanor were not negatively affected by this diagnosis." Jill's interest was sparked as she watched her brother thrive under proper guidance, but none inspired her more than his wonderful tutor. "I knew that I needed to make this my life's work," Jill explains. "I wanted to expand on her ideas and bring this type of success to as many students as I possibly could."The year 1981 marked the opening of her first tutoring center, dedicated to helping the gifted and talented as well as students with learning differences. Over two decades later, Jill has remained steadfast in her cause, now providing tutoring services for learners of all levels and ages, ranging anywhere from preschool to college. In 2011, she founded the Jill Broder Education Group to support schools in their programming options. Drawing on her expertise and experience, she assembled a highly qualified staff to operate within existing school curriculums, working with administrators to help develop their staff, with students to facilitate preparation for standardized testing, and even with parents, educating them about programs to help their children make the most of their time at school.
Pamela Tedeschi, M.S. Ed.
Certified Educational Planner
Tedeschi Educational Consulting
10220 River Road Suite 111
Potomac, MD 20854
Phone: 301-951-0131
Fax: 301-951-1024
Email: pamela@pmtedcon.comwebsite: www.pmtedcon.com
For 17 years Pamela Tedeschi has been an educational consultant. She is known for her insightful evaluations of children and wise counsel to parents regarding independent and public schools in the metropolitan Washington area and boarding and therapeutic schools nationally. Her goal is to find the educational setting that will maximize each client’s potential. She has also been a teacher in both independent and public schools. Education: B.A. in Elementary Education, Emory University; MS. Ed. in Special Education, (Course Concentration in Learning Disabilities and Behavior Disorders) Binghamton University (SUNY- Binghamton); Post graduate courses in School Administration and Gifted Education, Georgia State University. Experience: In public schools: teacher in New York, Georgia and Maryland; Department Head of Special Education, Candor, NY; Hands on Science teacher and teacher mentor, Director of a preschool, Montgomery County, Maryland. In independent schools: teacher at the McLean School of Maryland and past board member of the Oakland School. Other: Featured speaker on radio talk shows about learning differences, Leader of discussion groups on testing, independent school admissions, special education, gifted education and behavior management for parents and teachers, tutor, Certified Educational Planner, IECA (Independent Educational Consulting Association).
Sue Cook Christakos, J.D.
Sue is a former attorney who, in this capacity, drafted policy pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). With her expertise in the ADA, Sue advocates for students to assist them in obtaining accommodations and services that will enable them to be successful in elementary school, middle school, high school and beyond. Sue has always had a passion to help individuals with disabilities, serving as a reading tutor for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), and contributing time as a parent surrogate for MCPS. In addition, Sue has volunteered her time to assist first generation college applicants in pursuing their dream of a college education. As a college consultant, Sue works with students as early as middle school to help them plan and prepare for college, and ultimately find the right college fit. Sue is active in the dyslexic community, and is a member of the International Dyslexic Association (IDA), as well as the Learning Disability Association of Montgomery County (LDAMC), CHADD, Gifted and Talented Association of Montgomery County (MD), and The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA). She has a BA in Psychology from Bucknell University, and a JD from Georgetown University Law Center.
Marc Sickel, Certified Athletic Trainer
Founder and President of Fitness for Health
11140 Rockville Pike, Suite 303, Rockville, MD 20852
301-231-7138
Lisa Leyden, M.S., CCC-A
Audiologist
Dynamic Development
4400 East West Highway, Suite 32
Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone-301-951-0303
Lisa Leyden has her Bachelors of Science in Hearing and Speech Science and a Masters of Science degree in Audiology. She is co-owner of Dynamic Development Pediatric Services in Bethesda, MD. With over 20 years of experience, Lisa specializes in the assessment, evaluation, and treatment of auditory processing disorders. She has an extensive background in private practice, clinical audiology, as well as school settings. This includes individual and group therapy sessions for children with developmental, multi-sensory, and communication disorders. Lisa has extensive knowledge and certifcations in various auditory training programs and is a certified Integrated Listening Systems (iLs) Advanced Practioner. She is also certified in the Interactive Metronome program.
Michelle Herman,OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Dynamic Development
4400 East West Highway, Suite 32
Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone-301-951-0303
Michelle Herman has a degree in Occupational Therapy and is co-owner of Dynamic Development Pediatric Services in Bethesda, MD. She has over 15 years of experience specializing in pediatrics. She has a certification and extensive knowledge in Sensory Processing Disorders. She performs assessments, evaluations, and individual and group treatment for children with a variety of diagnoses including sensory processing disorders, developmental delays, and communication disorders. Additionally, she is certified in the Interactive Metronome Program. Michelle has extensive knowledge and certifcations in various auditory training programs and is a certified Integrated Listening Systems (iLs) Advanced Practioner.

Olga Marable
Director of Admissions and Outreach
Fusion Academy Rockville
275 N. Washington St. Suite 200 | Rockville, MD 20850
301.275.0342 Mobile
301.251.5130 Campus
Every child deserves to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. At Fusion Academy, students achieve success for their whole self through a completely personalized educational experience, centered in our one-to-one approach: one student and one teacher per classroom. We serve students in middle and high school, and provide options for students looking for a full-time school as well as part-time and/or tutoring options. In the DC metro area, we have locations in Alexandria, VA; Columbia, MD; Leesburg, VA; Rockville, MD; Vienna, VA; and Washington, DC. Check out our Fusion vibe at www.fusionacademy.com and schedule a time to visit a campus near you!
Elizabeth Tsakiris, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist
Hand in Hand Psychology Services LLC
Phone: 301-540-0265
Address: office 1: 26601 Clarksburg Road Damascus, Md. 20872
Website: www.hihpsychology.com
Email: info@hih-psychology.com And liz.psykids@verizon.net
Dr. Elizabeth Tsakiris specializes in psychological assessment, research, therapy and intervention services for families and their children with complex behavior and developmental challenges. For the last 10 years, she has provided expert psychological and consultation services for unique students to school systems across the east coast. Her psychological skills are augmented by a special education degree, and 17 years of teaching in hospital/ residential settings, as well as self-contained and inclusive classrooms settings. After 33 years in Montgomery County Public Schools, she will be opening her private practice in spring 2013. Over her career, Liz has worked to integrate neuropsychological constructs, affect development with learning and behavioral theories for children with complex profiles across clinic, school and home. Traditional learning and developmental trajectories assume relatively intact vocal, hearing, vision, movement, cognition and physiological health. Dr. Tsakiris’ specialized assessment and interventions emphasize discovery, acquisition and demonstration of relationship and learning competencies for children with autism and multiple disabilities that don’t always fit this trajectory. Consultation with schools and families incorporates understanding how such children “show what they know” along a unique, individual format, as opposed to forcing them into a more traditional one where they can’t grow and learn as easily or joyfully. These efforts include modifying psychological assessments to better understand how the most challenged children learn and relate, followed by development of appropriate educational and behavioral interventions accordingly. Using a hands-on approach in the “real time” of school and home, she works with parents and teachers to help develop teaching and behavior strategies unique to the multiple needs of each child. Her interventions incorporate current research in neurology, psychology and education—with an emphasis on compassion and creativity that helps parents, teachers, and children thrive. Publications include a chapter in ICDL Clinical Practice Guidelines (2002) on Evaluating Intervention Effectiveness in Autism- Clinically Significant or Clinically Meaningful? In 2009 she completed the first retrospective outcome study comparing 30 children who completed intensive ABA and DIR programs in Treatment Effectiveness in Preschool Autism – A Look at Affective Variables- earning first place in Behavior and the Mind Graduate Research competition in the state of Maryland. Last year she authored a chapter on working with teachers of severely challenged students in Becoming a School Consultant: Lessons Learned, edited by Dr. Sylvia Rosenfield. Whether in research, assessment, or intervention, Dr. Tsakiris is committed to extending the reach of the medical, psychological, and educational community to the most significantly challenged children and their families.

Michael Sitar, PhD
Psychologist, Biofeedback, and Neurofeedback
301-718-3588

Wendy Taylor, M. Ed.
Executive Director- Learning Essentials
Founder - Power Up by Learning Essentials
(W) LEPowerUP.com
(P) 240-249-8492
Wendy Taylor is a certified special educator and qualified educational diagnostician with 20 years of experience working with students of all ages and abilities, with a focus on learning differences and disabilities. In 2005, she founded Learning Essentials, a full-service special education tutoring firm. As Executive Director of Learning Essentials, Wendy’s mission is to meet the individual needs of each student she serves. In 2017, she co-founded Power UP, which supports children with chronic medical needs by serving as a liaison with families, educators, and medical professionals. Power UP helps students with medical conditions access their education through advocacy. Wendy has also served as a public school teacher and faculty member at Saint Petersburg College. She holds a B.S. in Social Science and Secondary Education from Frostburg State University and a M.Ed. in Special Education from George Mason University.

Joan Green, M.A. CCC-SLP
Joan Green is a speech-language pathologist, assistive technology specialist, online tech coach, and mother of 4 young adults. For almost 40 years, she has helped children and adults with a wide range of developmental and acquired disabilities. Joan has written and published 4 books and regularly speaks on a wide variety of communication, cognitive, literacy, communication and learning topics. She is the founder of Innovative Speech Therapy (www.innovativespeech.com), a private practice based in the Washington, DC area. Her mission is to help individuals overcome barriers to success by leveraging the benefits of technology.
In addition to offering 1:1 tech coaching sessions for families, colleagues and organizations, she creates online courses and offers free webinars. She excels at sharing her knowledge of effective strategies for affordable cutting-edge resources that empower students, employees and elderly adults to improve engagement and achievement. She is passionate about connecting with colleagues and families all over the world to help them leverage the benefits of tech to support reading, writing, thinking, organizing and communicating.
Joan is originally from Buffalo, NY, received her formal graduate education at Northwestern University, and now lives in the Washington, DC area.
301-602-2899 (call/ text) / 1-800-IST-2550