The team at Inside Out Learners share a passion for providing cutting edge programs to offer optimal instruction. They regularly
attend conferences delivered by some of the most highly respected leaders in social skills instruction/emotional regulation strategies including, but not limited to: Michelle Garcia Winner, Jed Baker, Kari Dunn Buron, and Leah Kuypers. Lessons include fun activities using high-quality curricula and materials such as Social Thinking®, Zones of Regulation®, the PEERS® and so much more. Inside Out Learners also has professionals dedicated in specific areas of need such as: Literacy (Wilson Intensive Reading Program) and Sibshops.
attend conferences delivered by some of the most highly respected leaders in social skills instruction/emotional regulation strategies including, but not limited to: Michelle Garcia Winner, Jed Baker, Kari Dunn Buron, and Leah Kuypers. Lessons include fun activities using high-quality curricula and materials such as Social Thinking®, Zones of Regulation®, the PEERS® and so much more. Inside Out Learners also has professionals dedicated in specific areas of need such as: Literacy (Wilson Intensive Reading Program) and Sibshops.
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Terrie Livingston, M.Ed.Owner/Program Director/Teacher
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Terrie Livingston has been a Hampton Roads native for the latter part of her life. Her passion for working with the autistic population has led Terrie's 30-year career path through a variety of settings including: residential, vocational, community, social, and education. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Education at Old Dominion University (ODU) in the 1990s. Terrie is a Certified Autism Specialist and has earned a certificate of completion for coursework in applied behavior analysis. Terrie has been a licensed Special Education Teacher for the past 27 years. After working as a principal for a regional cooperative educational program serving autistic students, Terrie returned to teaching in a public school special education classroom. It was during this time that a plan was developed to address needs of the autistic population in ways that were not readily available in traditional education settings. Terrie recognized that supplemental social skills instruction could strengthen an understanding of the social world and increase the likelihood of employment for neurodiverse thinkers. She also wanted to continue providing specialized instruction in academic areas. Thus, Inside Out Learners was born! Terrie’s most recent area of study is in the Science of Reading and she is currently completing a practicum to become a Level 1 Certified Practitioner for the Wilson Intensive Reading System®. Terrie has recently attended numerous book studies and training sessions to better serve learners with dyslexia and other reading challenges. Terrie has three children of her own and in her spare time, enjoys studying about various topics in education, playing tabletop games, reading, and spending time with her family. She has been an active PTA board member for the schools that her children attend and is a member of the Tidewater Autism Society of America (TASA).
Malerie Killen, M.Ed.
Teacher/Reading Specialist
Malerie Killen graduated from high school in Marlton, New Jersey in 2003. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education at Towson University in Towson, Maryland and received her initial Virginia Teacher License in 2008. She then received her Master’s Degree in Reading Education at Towson University in 2015. Malerie currently holds a Virginia Teacher License with endorsements in the areas of Special Education General Curriculum K-12, Elementary Education PreK-6, and Reading Specialist. Malerie has been working with individuals on the autism spectrum for over 10 years. She served as a Special Education Teacher for Chesapeake Public Schools for several years. During her teaching experience at public school in Maryland, Malerie developed her passion for working with children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). For the past 15 years, Malerie has implemented the Wilson Language Program to children in grades 2-5, to help strengthen reading and passage comprehension skills. As a Virginia Certified Reading Specialist, Malerie's passion is in working with learners to enhance literacy skills in individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other related disabilities.
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Kathie Feduchak-Nielsen, B.A.Social Skills Teacher, Academic Tutor
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Kathie was born and raised in Northeastern Pennsylvania, but has lived in Virginia since 1991. She is the mother of two and became a grandmother in 2020. Kathie earned a bachelor of arts degree in Early Childhood Psychology at Christopher Newport University in 1994 and an associates degree in Early Childhood Education from Tidewater Community College in 1998. She completed all Virginia teacher certification coursework requirements at Norfolk State University in 2000. Kathie has a wealth of leadership experience working in a variety of positions in educational settings including: 5th grade special education teacher for Virginia Beach Public Schools, preschool lead teacher for the YMCA Early Adventures Program, as well as long-term substitute teaching. Kathie is currently working as a teacher assistant for Chesapeake Public Schools in the LEAD Program. Her passion for teaching shows in the progress and growth of her learners.
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Bianca Nonnenmacher, B.A. Paraprofessional, Young Adult Social Facilitator |
Bianca Nonnenmacher graduated from Grassfield High School in Chesapeake, Virginia in 2013. There, she was a member of the Art Club, DECA Club, and German Club. Bianca earned her bachelor of arts degree at Virginia Weslyan University in Art with a minor in Business. As an active student, she was the vice president of the Art Club and is continuing her education to become an Art Therapist. Bianca loves working with children as an art teacher for Norfolk Public Schools. One unique quality that she would like to share is that she was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at the age of 2. Bianca remembers the challenges encountered as a hard-working student with special needs. She feels that working at Inside Out Learners is an opportunity for her to pay-it-forward from those who have helped her develop into the successful young lady she is today.
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Sarah Phillips, COTA/LSocial Skills Teacher
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Sarah grew up in Richmond, Virginia and graduated from Varina High School in 1996. She is a mother of 3 and when not working as a COTA, she enjoys spending time with her kids, going on hikes, and hanging out at to the beach. After years in retail, she decided to go back to school to pursue her dream of working with children with special needs. She began the Occupational Therapy Program at Tidewater Community College when her youngest was only 5 days old. Following graduation, she started working in Chesapeake Public schools. She enjoys working with students of all ages to help them grow and become the best they can be.
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Rachel Rogers, B.S. in Special Ed. Social Skills Teacher
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Rachel Rogers is a special education teacher with Chesapeake Public Schools, in a LEAD classroom. She works mainly with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Other Health Impairment. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in K-12 Special Education from Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina in 2018. Before earning her degree, Rachel worked with children with many disabilities throughout high school and college. She worked with therapeutic horse back riding, tutoring for children with special needs, and as a peer buddy. She especially enjoys working with students to help develop their social skills and emotional regulation abilities.
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Cris Pelausa, M.Ed. Game (Dungeon) Master
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Cris Pelausa graduated from Old Dominion University with a Masters Degree in Music Education and is a music teacher for Virginia Beach City Public Schools. He has been playing Dungeons & Dragons since the early 90s and runs various role-playing games on YouTube and Twitch. When not playing music, Cris combines his teaching methods into his game-mastering to create a custom and inclusive experience!
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Gabriel Robinson, COTA/L Game (Dungeon) Master
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Gabriel Robinson loves to write, play, and facilitate role playing games that bring people together through collaborative and meaningful storytelling. He brings his experience as an Occupational Therapy Assistant to the table and is continuing his education with plans to develop and run more therapeutic role playing games for a variety of populations. He is committed to creating a safe and playful space for everyone to express themselves and connect with others in ways that only brave adventurers can!
