Amanda Ruckh
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
Amanda graduated from Erie Community College with an Associates Degree in Occupational Therapy. She has worked as a COTA (Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant) in both home-based pediatrics and long term skilled nursing facility with the elderly. She transitioned to school based pediatrics in November of 2015. She gained a great deal of experience with the pediatric population working at a school for significantly delayed and medically frail children while still providing home-based therapy. Amanda is currently a pediatric therapist, working in multiple school districts as well as home-based therapy within Niagara County.
Brandy Alaimo
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
Brandy has an Assosciates degree in Occupational Therapy and a Bachelors in Childhood and Middle Childhood Education. She has been in the field for 10 years and with Bright Beginnings for the past 4 years. Brandy has worked in a variety of settings with children of all ages and abilities. She encourages self-confidence and independence in the children she works with, achieving their goals, and still having fun while doing so.
Paula Neuman
Certified Registered Occupational Therapist
Paula obtained her Associates Degree from ECC in OT and a Bachelors degree from Utica College of Syracuse University in Occupational Therapy, gaining her license. Paula has over 20 years of experience working with early intervention, preschool and school age children.
Kristen Mayrose
Certified Registered Occupational Therapist
Kristen received her Bachelors degree from the University at Buffalo in 1989. She is a certified provider for The Listening Program (TLP) and has Sensory Integration International Certification for administration and interpretation of the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test. Kristen has been working with the pediatric population since September of 1990 and has been with Bright Beginnings Therapy Services since the fall of 2005. She is currently working with children birth to 5 years with a variety of diagnoses including: Sensory Processing Delay, Severe Pre-maturity; Autism; Feeding disorders; Microcephaly; Infantile Spasms and Developmental Delay. Kristen also performs Sensory Processing evaluations and develops necessary sensory programs in a home for a population of troubled teens with mental health diagnoses.
Jill Rogers
Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant
Jill has worked for Bright Beginnings for the past 8 years. She has 29 years total experience as a COTA and 19 years working with school aged children with special needs. Jill has worked with children 2-1/2 years of age up to 21. Jill obtained her associates degree from ECC. She is currently working with elementary children at Orleans Niagara BOCES and EI children with Bright Beginnings.
Stacie McNett
Certified Registered Occupational Therapy
Stacie graduated from ECC in May 2008 with an Associates degree in OTA and COTA in October 2008. From 2008-2014 she has worked in a pediatric school setting and ECMC School 84. Stacie has also worked in the Buffalo and North Tonawada public schools. She graduated from D’Youville in May of 2019 with a Masters in Occupational Therapy. Stacie has 5 children of her own, 2 with special needs that keep her grounded. She believes that early intervention is the greatest service to help build foundational skills, encouraging families to build upon as children navigate their early years.
Deb Trankle
Certified Occupational Therapist
Deb obtained her degree from Erie community college and has 32 years of experience working with children from preschool age through high school. She specializes in visual perceptual skill development to assist with classroom learning. She also works with adults with developmental disabilities, assisting with job training, ADL skills, and running a therapy department. Deb currently works in pre-school therapy services in Niagara county at the Newfane Early Childhood Center and travel therapy delivering services in the home and daycare centers.
Renae Germana: Certified Registered Occupational Therapist
Kailey Few: Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant
Melissa Simspon: Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant
Joyelle (Joy) Richter
Special Instruction Teacher/Certified SpEd Teacher
Joyelle has a Bachelors of Science in psychology from SUNY Brockport and a Masters in Early Childhood and Special Education from TOURO College in Manhattan. Joyelle has been working in early education for over 15 years in New York City, Colorado and now back home in Erie and Niagara counties. She has experience as a classroom teacher, administrator, special education itinerant teacher and early intervention therapist.
Marion Carter
Special Instruction Teacher
Marion has a BA degree in Psychology from D’Youville College and a Masters degree in Education from Buffalo State College. She holds permanent New York State Teaching certification in Special Education and Elementary Education. Marion has been working in the Special Education field since 1981. She has experience as a classroom teacher, evaluator, special education itinerant teacher, and Early Intervention service provider. She has a strong experience base in working with young multiply disabled children.
Pamela Rowley: Special Instruction Teacher
Pamela has been an educator for over 30 years, holding multiple teaching certificates in New York State including Early Childhood Education (Birth to Grade 2) and Special Education. She has taught multiple ages and in various settings including public schools and private settings. Pam has also had the privilege of teaching in communities all across New York State. She thoroughly enjoyed all of her teaching experiences and is still learning every year! She is passionate about giving every child a joyful learning experience and helping to guide each child to their fullest potential.
Melissa DiGuiseppe: Special Instruction Teacher
Amy Kielaszek: Special Instruction Teacher
Carol Meyer: Special Instruction Teacher
Pamela Gallo: Speech Language Pathologist
Sara Pieniaczek: Speech Language Pathologist
Dawn Nepokroeff
Speech Language Pathologist
Dawn attended SUNY Buffalo, gaining a Bachelors degree in Psychology/Human Services and Early Childhood Development. She has her Masters degree in Speech Language Pathology. Dawn has been working in Early Intervention with children birth-3 years for the past 20+ years.
Leah May: Physical Therapist
Stephanie Singh
Physical Therapist
Stephanie received her MSPT degree from Washington University. Stephanie has experience providing PT services to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, brachial plexus injury, cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, dyspraxia, general motor delay, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, neurofibromatosis, prematurity, spinal muscular atrophy, torticollis, as well as several rare genetic diseases. In addition, she has experience with aquatic therapy, NICU followup clinic, orthotics and kinesiotape evaluation/use, and playground design, as well as extensive training in early intervention/preschool special education both as a therapist and as a parent. Stephanie received her DPT degree from Washington University in 2014. She has been working for Bright Beginnings for the past 7 years.