Maria Wood, Executive Director
Maria Wood has been working with individuals with various learning differences and their families since 1998. She began her career as a private tutor for children with mild and moderate learning disabilities, later working as an early intervention therapist and curriculum coordinator at a therapeutic center in Miami, Florida working with mild, moderate and severe disabilities. Later, Maria relocated and completed her degree in Special Education at Lesley University while she facilitated small group academics at a public middle school. While there she developed and lead the self care and social integration afternoon and summer programs for children with Autism and related disabilities. Throughout the years Maria has studied various methodologies of support. While researching she recognized the most effective support was integrating them. In 2003 she began to embrace utilizing the methodologies creating Potential Plans and Family Plans tailored to the individuals and hand selecting elements from each as they fit in for each client and family with a focus on developing long term integration so that the skills carried over into everyday and future life. In 2011 Maria expanded her private clientele in the states and began providing workshops and training for individuals, families, and organizations in Roatan, Honduras. In 2015 she left the red tape of the school system and reorganized her efforts by launching the SHINE Skills for Life Center in Belmont, MA. After two years of fun exploration with various program ideas. After narrowing down the specific programs that were most efficient she relaunched in Carlisle, MA. Maria has both professional and personal investments in her passion for supporting individuals with various abilities as she was inspired to develop strategies for her own learning disabilities. Maria was what she calls a "fall through the cracks" kind of kid who had just enough coping skills to get by and where no one learned how or taught her to access her true potential. After years of research, studying and self coaching she utilized her intuition and experiences to connect in unique ways to others with learning differences helping them reach their true potential by meeting them where they were at and guiding them to where they could be. |
Valerie Bustamante, Communications & Programs Development
Valerie Bustamante has had the pleasure of working with students with a variety of learning differences over the past 15 years. Her passion for empowering this special population of students began growing up, as she watched and learned from her mother who worked as a special education teacher and Special Olympics coach. She became inspired to teach students with learning differences to advocate for themselves and be independent. She began her career as an academic tutor, helping struggling students with literacy development. Later as an academic instructor she lead a therapeutic classroom setting for children with autism and related disorders. After her time in the classroom Valerie worked as a program and curriculum coordinator. She created individual and group learning activities, individual learning goals, and provided training for staff members and parents. Now, as a parent herself, Valerie's focus is to inspire students with learning differences, their families, and their communities to work together to create an environment that promotes acceptance, compassion, and growth. She holds a Masters in Special Education from FIU. |
Teri Heard Ralbovsky, Lead SHINE Coach
Teri Heard Ralbovsky is a graduate student completing her degree in Mental Health Counseling. Her goal after graduate school is to support individuals and families achieve academic, vocational and interpersonal success. Prior to returning to graduate school, Teri spent 14 years as a human resources and career development professional. She became interested in working with children with individual learning needs as a stay-at-home Mom through her volunteer work in schools, her church and the Boy Scouts. She has been practicing yoga for about 25 years, and is enthusiastic about sharing the practice with the clients at SHINE. She is committed to assisting individuals and families recognize the talents, skills and resources they posses to achieve their goals. |
Morgan Bates, SHINE Coach
Morgan Bates began working with children at a young age through teaching dance at her local dance studio in Washington State. After high school, she moved to sunny Southern California to get her bachelor’s degree in psychology at Chapman University. While I’m California, she worked as an ABA behavioral interventionist and participated in research on infant development. She is now pursuing her Master’s in Social Work at Boston College with a concentration in mental health. Morgan also has experience working as a nanny and as an intern. |
Rachel Pilletere, SHINE Coach
Rachael Pilletere has had the joy of working with youth and their families in a variety of settings. She has experience working as a camp counselor at the Boys and Girls Club and support staff member at an alternative school for students with a range of backgrounds and social and emotional challenges. She has also worked in both residential programs and public elementary schools. She holds a Masters in Social Work from Westfield State University. Rachael values meaningful relationships, individualized learning processes and an emphasis on creativity to nurture the growth of children and families. |
Denice Cronin, SHINE Facilitator
Denice Cronin will graduate from William James College with a Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology and a concentration in Children and Families of Adversity and Resilience in August 2020. Prior to graduate school, two years of clinical experience across the Wediko Children’s Services continuum of care left her with a dedication to provide skills-based, strength-focused, and multiculturally sensitive services to children, adolescents, and families. Throughout her graduate training, Denice specialized in working with youth experiencing a range of social, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive challenges. Denice has provided assessment and intervention services in a variety of child-serving systems, including, elementary schools, community mental health centers, residential programs, a partial hospitalization program, and an inpatient unit. Denice’s research interests include the development and implementation of trauma-informed practices in schools to attempt to inform policy and educational practices. Denice is excited to collaborate with the SHINE team and support the children and families that they serve. |