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.
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Terrie Livingston, M.Ed.Owner/Program Director/Teacher
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Terrie Livingston spent the early years of her life in Miami, FL but has been a Hampton Roads native since 1983. She graduated from high school in Virginia Beach, VA and earned a Bachelors Degree in Psychology at Old Dominion University (ODU). Terrie received her Masters Degree in Education with a special education endorsement a short time later and completed credentials to become a Virginia state-certified teacher. Terrie is a Certified Autism Specialist and recently completed a certificate for completing coursework in applied behavior analysis. Her passion for working with the autistic population has lead Terrie's 30-year career path though a variety of settings including: residential, vocational, community, social and education. After years of working as an education administrator for a local cooperative educational program, Terrie returned to teaching in a public school special education classroom. It was during this time that Terrie developed a plan to address areas of need for the autistic population in ways that were not readily available in many traditional education settings. Terrie has three children of her own and enjoys reading, playing tabletop games, 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). Terrie is recognized as a certified Sibshops provider. She is also earning credentials to become a Level 1 Certified Practitioner for the Wilson Intensive Reading System, designed for individuals with dyslexia.
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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Sarah Phillips, COTA/LTeacher
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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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Bianca Nonnenmacher, B.A. Paraprofessional |
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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Rachel Rogers, B.S. in Special Ed. 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!
