SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

Brenna Ouellette graduated from the University of Central Missouri with a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. She supports students with articulation, stuttering, and language needs in kindergarten through eighth grade at LC. A Kansas City native, Brenna first moved to New England for her undergraduate degree and liked it so much she married a local. In her spare time, you can find Brenna with her dog Max, crocheting baby blankets for friends, or reading on her kindle.

K-1 SPECIAL EDUCATION

Gina has her B.S. in early childhood and special education for New York University. Additionally, she attended Cambridge College for her M.Ed. in special education. She previously worked at a residential school for students with severe and multiple disabilities, primarily with students ages 6-13. She has been with LC as a special educator since 2020. Gina grew up in Hopedale, MA, and is proud of her Hispanic heritage. Her hobbies include video games, Magic the Gathering, puzzles, crafting, and personal style.

1-2 SPECIAL EDUCATION

Nicole graduated from Rhode Island College with her B.S. in special education and elementary education in 2009, magna cum laude. She has experience working with a range of students with learning and social-emotional differences in various settings. Nicole has been working in the field of education for approximately the last 15 years largely in urban communities. Nicole was born and raised in Providence, RI; the West End. She identifies strongly with her community and partners with families to best support their children. Nicole is extremely passionate about teaching and learning; she loves to explore ideas. She has contributed most of her adult life to raising five nieces and nephews; her eldest nephew is 28 and her youngest nephew is 18. Nicole loves nature, zip-lining, archery, chess, reading, and writing. Fun fact, Nicole collects heart-shaped rocks!

3 SPECIAL EDUCATION

Marie has her MAT in teaching from Johnson & Wales University. She is certified in both general and special education. Marie has been a third-grade teacher for the past 8 years. She was previously teaching at The Learning Community for 7 years and tried a year of teaching third grade at another charter school in Providence. Marie is taking the skills she has developed being an inclusion general education teacher and using them for her new role as third-grade special educator. Marie enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling with her husband and loves to use her Cricut to personalize all her things!

4 SPECIAL EDUCATION

Catarina graduated from Rhode Island College with a B.A in elementary education. She has been a part of The Learning Community for 13 years. Prior to joining LC , she was a long-term substitute teacher for Pawtucket Public Schools. She also worked as a teacher's assistant at a local preschool. Catarina is Portuguese and a daughter of immigrant parents. She is a mother to two boys. She enjoys fitness, going to the beach, and spending time with her family. She believes that every student has their own unique way of learning and strives to support them on their journey to becoming independent learners.

5 SPECIAL EDUCATION

Christina graduated from Rhode Island College with her B.A in Elementary Education and Special Education in 2014. She has been teaching for the past 6 years and has previously taught in East Greenwich and Woonsocket at the middle school level. She was born and raised in Warwick by Italian parents and currently resides there with her dog Daisy Mae. Christina enjoys playing soccer, hanging out with her family and friends, taking her dog for long walks, and traveling. 

6 SPECIAL EDUCATION

Erin is the 6th-grade special education teacher. She is also a certified reading specialist and general educator. Erin has almost two decades of teaching experience, with over 10 years here at the Learning Community. She lives in Attleboro with her husband, two sons, and dogs.

7 SPECIAL EDUCATION

Emilie graduated from Providence College in 2012 with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary and Special Education and again in 2016 with a Master's degree is Special Education. Emilie strongly believes that all students can learn and be successful in school, especially when they have the right supports! She lives in East Providence with her husband, Mark and her daughter, Averie. Emilie is a huge fan of Disney World and enjoys spending time with her family by the water!

8 SPECIAL EDUCATION

Prior to teaching at The LC Lauren spent two years teaching in the Dominican Republic. It was there that she became fluent in Spanish, and she met her husband. She now lives in Warwick with her husband and two sons. She enjoys traveling and spending time with her family. Lauren works with children because “I know they all have the ability to learn and achieve as long as someone believes in them. I love being the one to believe in all of my students and watch them as they learn and grow.”

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

Tara graduated from Quinnipiac University with her B.S. in health sciences in 2000. She previously worked with children at Meeting Street School in Providence and United Cerebral Palsy of Rhode Island. In her free time, you can find Tara cheering on her three boys at the hockey rink or baseball field.

PSYCHOLOGIST

Maria Eguia-Brusco works part-time as our School Psychologist. She completed her undergraduate degree at Georgetown University in 1990 and her Doctorate in Child Clinical Psychology at Pennsylvania State University in 1998. Maria has extensive experience working with children and adolescents in schools, community settings, and private practice. She was born in Cordoba, Argentina but mostly grew up in Connecticut. She moved around a bit as an adult but ultimately landed in Rhode Island more than 20 years ago. At The Learning Community, Maria completes psychological evaluations as part of the special education team, supports the educational and mental health needs of students and families, and consults with parents and team members. In her free time, Maria enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her husband and two children.

SPECIAL EDUCATION PARAPROFESSIONAL

Kassandra has a background in ABA providing therapy to children and adolescents who are diagnosed with ASD and related disorders. Kassandra is excited to be part of the LC team. She is also an LC parent to a daughter in middle school and identical twin boys in kindergarten. Kassandra is an artist who specializes in Oil, Pop Art, and Portrait Art. She enjoys traveling and spending time with her siblings.

SPECIAL EDUCATION CONSULTANT

Craig has been working with youth and families since 1985. His first job was as a wilderness therapeutic counselor at Camp E-Hun-Tee in Exeter, RI where he facilitated over 20 extended wilderness. Craig has been a special education teacher, director of special education, and most recently, superintendent of schools. He co-founded Educational Resources Consortium, an educational leadership think-tank. Craig has more than twenty years of service on the boards of CAP agencies and Community Health Centers. Craig provides consultation services to public schools, public charters and private schools. What drives Craig is his ability to keep the laser beam focus on what is in the best interest of students, families and staff despite all of the "noise".