Biographies

Andrea Burrell is a passionate and driven educator of 20 years. Throughout her career, she has held several leadership roles in Prince George's County Public Schools, including  Special Education Chairperson, Central Office Mentor Teacher, National Board of Professional Teaching Certification Cohort Lead, and Mentor. She is currently a Special  Education Instructional Specialist with Prince George’s County Public Schools who develops, facilitates, coaches, and monitors the professional learning of district personnel charged with educating students with disabilities. Andrea is also a certified Social-Emotional  Learning Facilitator and yoga instructor who is passionate about the well-being of others.  In addition to being a Nationally Board-Certified Teacher, Andrea holds certifications in special education and school administration. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in  Special Education from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and her Master's Degree in Teacher Leadership from George Washington University. As a certified  Social-Emotional Learning Facilitator and yoga instructor, she actively seeks opportunities to embed wellness practices into the professional learning she shares with educators, students, and families. 

Gabrielle Czaja, PT, mATI, mAmSAT is a senior Alexander Technique teacher, physical therapist and holistic educator. She is passionate about guiding young people to thrive and succeed, building the foundation for maturing into happy, healthy and successful adults. For 33 years Gabrielle has helped children strengthen developmental foundations for movement and learning, and adults and children heal from complex injuries and stress-related conditions. A graduate of Bucknell University, Hahnemann University and The Alexander Foundation, she is licensed to practice in DC, MD and VA, and is a certified Alexander in Education teacher. Gabrielle is known as a dynamic presenter of group workshops for educational and health professionals, students and parents. In her private practice in Washington DC, Gabrielle’s clients appreciate her deep knowing that little victories along the way are cause for celebration, and a measure of success.

Melissa Dvorsky is a clinical psychologist and Director of the ADHD & Learning Differences Program at Children's National Hospital. She is also an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at the George Washington University School of Medicine. She is the Developer and Director of the Advanced Tools for Organization Management (ATOM), a school program for teens who struggle with organization, time management, and planning skills. Dr. Dvorsky’s work is focused on partnering with schools and communities in advancing school mental health care, improving access to and the effectiveness and sustainability of school interventions, and promoting success for all children.

Catherine has been working at the Professional Library for 20 years where she helps PGCPS staff to pursue their lifelong learning dreams and also promotes all of PGCPS resources.

Cristina King began her career in education as a middle and high school mathematics teacher, Data Coach, Teacher Coordinator, Title 1/CSI Coordinator, and Scheduler. Ms. King brings nearly 15 years of experience using educational outcome data to make informed decisions around student growth and school improvement. Currently, she proudly serves the PGCPS community as the Test Reporting Specialist within the Department of Testing, Research, and Evaluation. In this role, her focus is on working with teacher leaders and district instructional staff to improve data analysis practices to inform instructional practices and support assessment data literacy in the school and district communities.   

Neal Lichter joined Pathfinders for Autism in October of 2013. Neal is responsible for the daily intake of questions and concerns from parents, caregivers, educators, professionals and individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). As a trainer, Neal has provided an Understanding of ASD training since 2014. Audiences include students from kindergarten through college, educators, police, first responders, medical personnel, and many others across the state of Maryland. Neal is also responsible for helping to plan many of the workshops that Pathfinders for Autism collaborates on around Maryland. Neal is married, with two sons, one which has Autism. 

Keisha joined Curriculum Associates in 2021, with a variety of professional education roles ranging from her experience as a classroom mathematics teacher all the way to forming her own tutoring business as an entrepreneur. In 2016 she founded Maximized Learning LLC to provide high-quality tutoring, consulting, and student advocacy services. Keisha earned her B.A. in Math Education from the University of South Florida. Over the years, she expanded her impact by tutoring students across all grade levels in a variety of math courses, including Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry, and Calculus. Keisha is committed to creating engaging, equitable, and inclusive experiences for all learners. In her current role, she partners with district leaders to coordinate i-Ready tutoring services and professional development opportunities. When she’s not managing tutoring programs or facilitating professional development, she can be found enjoying life with her husband and three-year-old, Micah, at a nearby park or playground.

Madyun is a 1st year school psychologist in Prince George's County Public Schools. Prior to working in Prince George's County Public Schools, Madyun was a family engagement instructional coach for Intermediate District 287 in Plymouth, MN. Serving at both the K-12 and postsecondary level, Madyun has over 20 years of experience as an educator.

Ms. Mazelin began her career in education as a middle-school teacher, teacher mentor, and Reading Specialist. Ms. Mazelin brings over two decades of experience using educational outcome data to drive resource decisions, identify performance gaps, measure improvement, and enhance adult practices.  Currently, she proudly serves the PGCPS community as the Supervisor of Data Management and Reporting within the Department of Testing. In this role, her focus is working with teacher leaders and district instructional staff to improve data analysis practices to inform instructional practices and support assessment data literacy in the school and district communities. Ms. Mazelin brings a lens of equity to all work and continues to advocate for all students, with close stewardship for the most vulnerable populations.

Paula Moraine, M.Ed., has been a teacher and tutor for elementary grades, high school, and college students, as well as a mentor, coach, and adult educator in the US, Germany, and Scotland. She has lectured widely in the US and abroad on themes of Dyslexia, ADHD, Executive Function, Autism, Parenting, and Teaching. She is the author of ‘Helping Students Take Control of Everyday Executive Functions – The Attention Fix’ (2012) and “Autism and Everyday Executive Functions” (2015).

Paula is the Past President of the Maryland Branch of the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) and Eastern Region Representative to the Branch Council of IDA.

Eva currently serves as the EDI (equity, diversity & inclusion) Outreach Coordinator at Kennedy Krieger's Center for Autism. In this work Eva partners with organizations that serve Black and African American communities to create unique opportunities for community engagement, innovative resource delivery models, and to increase awareness and participation in the SPARK autism study. 

Eva has been a disability community advocate for over 30 years. She is a wife, mother, grandmother and fierce advocate for her 18-year-old autistic daughter, Amanda. Eva is an author, entrepreneur, sign language interpreter and motivational speaker. She is the founder and executive director of Community Advocates 4 You, Inc. (a 501c3 nonprofit in Maryland) supporting primarily, though not exclusively, black and brown families of children with disabilities. 

Eva served on the Access, Equity & Inclusion Committee of the ARC US (2020-2021) drafting the Arc-US's AEI policies for equity that are now implemented and an advisory catalyst for their over 200 affiliate sites. Eva is an Arc of Maryland Partner in Policymaking (2019 cohort). This group advocates for legislative public policy changes that benefit the disability community.

At her nonprofit, Eva partners with Baltimore City Schools, local social services agencies, individuals and families to help facilitate special education workshops, webinars, and to support families and as they build self-advocacy skills that ensure meaningful academic achievement for students with disabilities.

Dr. Rebecca Resnik is a Licensed Psychologist and founder of Rebecca Resnik and Associates with offices in North Bethesda. Dr. Resnik specializes in neuropsychological testing of children learning difficulties, developmental differences and mood disorders. Prior to earning her doctorate, Dr. Resnik completed a master's in Special Education with a concentration in learning disabilities. Dr. Resnik currently serves as President Elect of the Maryland Psychological Association. Her book, A Family's First Guide to ADHD, was published in 2016. The 2nd edition will be published this year. 

“How can you laugh through what you all live through!?”

Peter Rosenberger often hears that question when people learn of his 33 year journey as a caregiver for his wife, Gracie, who lives with severe disabilities. (80+ operations including the amputation of both legs).

Yet, both Peter and Gracie draw hope from their deep faith which strengthens their hearts and their sense of humor.

Peter’s weekly radio show, Hope for the Caregiver, is heard on more than 185 stations.  Through his show, along with his books and speaking events, Peter address the challenges of life, business, and relationships with candor, compassion, and comedy.

Drawing upon his martial arts studies (Peter has a 2nd degree black-belt in Hapkido), Peter equips audiences to practice self-defense of the heart. A prolific writer and speaker, Peter has lengthy list of media interviews and published commentaries including:

• The Today Show

• US News and World Report

• USA Today

• WEB MD

• Guideposts

• Huckabee

• The 700 Club

Peter has authored three books including Hope for the Caregiver and his newest book 7 Caregiver Landmines and How You Can Avoid Them, Peter and Gracie are both accomplished musicians have released two CD’s. The couple also head a prosthetic limb outreach to Gracie’s fellow amputees in Ghana, West Africa. Standing With Hope trains and equips local workers in Ghana to build and maintain prosthetic limbs for their own people. Working with inmates at a Tennessee prison, Standing With Hope also recycles parts from donated used prosthetic limbs.

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Amanda Schwartz, Ph.D. has supported families of young children with disabilities as a teacher, consultant, researcher, and trainer for over 25 years. Amanda’s work focuses on supporting children with disabilities access high quality services from education, health, and community organizations. As an advocate for individuals with disabilities, family engagement and inclusion are central to her work. She has authored training and materials for early intervention, preschool special education, Head Start, child care, family child care, and home visitors. Her work focuses on building strong relationships between families and professionals in order to promote information sharing, planning, and problem-solving.

Abila is a pediatrician with greater than 20 years of health and community service provision. She is a mother of five inspiring adult children, three of whom have autism and related co-existing emotional and health concerns. She serves as Spectrum of Hope’s Lead Medical Guide/ Consultant where she pursues her passion for enhancing the lives of those living with ASD and related different abilities, while enriching the communities in which we live! 

Abila received her B.S. in Microbiology and her Doctorate of Medicine from Howard University in Washington, D.C through an accelerated B.S.- M.D. Program. She then completed her pediatric residency at Inova Fairfax Hospital/ University of Virginia. A native of Washington, D.C. , raised by parents who immigrated from West Africa and the Caribbean, she now resides in Maryland.  Her cultural background and personal struggles to identify and support her own children created the vision for the One World Center for Autism, Inc. (a non-profit) where she served as director for 14 years.

Her drive to give hope and genuine support continues to fuel her passion to help individuals living with autism and related special needs in a more focused and holistic manner. Her vision is to create a standard of comprehensive medical care and linkages to therapeutic interventions for all individuals on the neurodiverse spectrum which incorporates family support, individual support, and community awareness.  To fulfill this vision, she obtained certification as a Charting the Life Course Ambassador and actively seeks community collaborations and partnerships that foster greater hope, health and happiness for all.

Marsie Torchon has served in education for more than 20 years. She has a B.S. in Psychology/Special Education from James Madison University and a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from  the University of Kansas. Marsie currently serves as a Program Coordinator for Family Engagement and ESY with Prince George's County Public Schools. Her career has included roles as a teacher, Assessment Specialist, and Program Manager for Assessments for Students with disabilities at the Maryland State Department of Education.

Takisha Ubiera is currently an (Acting) Special Education Instructional Specialist for the Instructional Support Assessment and Accountability Office, a subdivision of the Department of Special Education, in Prince George’s County, Maryland.  In her current role, Takisha is charged with developing, organizing, and supporting Professional Development opportunities for the Department of Special Education.  Previously, Takisha served as a Resource Support Teacher for the Office of Instructional Support Assessments and Accountability from June 2018 through October 2022.  Along with her fellow team members, Takisha developed and conducted professional learning opportunities for educators related to research based interventions and educational assessments. From 2006 through 2018, she served as Special Education Resource Teacher at Magnolia Elementary and Yorktown Elementary.  Takisha was also the Special Education Chairperson for several years while at Yorktown Elementary.  She always tells others that she became a teacher by default because she intended to become a school psychologist.  

In May 2006, she graduated with honors from Delaware State University (B.S. in Psychology). She earned her certification in Special Education in 2008.  In May 2017, she graduated from Loyola University with a Master’s of Education in Literacy and a certification as a Reading Specialist.   In 2021, Takisha earned her Administration 1 certification.  Takisha was selected as a presenter for the Learning Disability Association (LDA) Conference where she presented about Universal Design for Learning in February 2020, right before the pandemic began.   She has also served as a Tutoring Coordinator for the Summit School in Edgwater and had her own tutoring business for many years.  As a parent of a student with dyslexia, Takisha is extremely passionate about honing her craft to support and advocate for struggling readers. 

Sarah Wayland, Ph.D. is the founder Guiding Exceptional Parents, and co-founder of The Behavior Revolution. She provides neurodiversity-affirmative support, education, and community for parents of neurodivergent children. Her book, Is This Autism? A Guide for Clinicians and Everyone Else, co-authored with Donna Henderson and Jamell White, is due for release on June 5th, 2023, and can be preordered on Amazon.

Zosia Zaks, M.Ed., C.R.C., has more than 20 years of experience supporting hundreds of teenagers and adults on the autism spectrum and with related conditions to live and work in their communities. From 2013 - 2022, he was Manager of Programs and Education at the Hussman Center for Autistic Adults at Towson University, where he also built an on-campus work readiness program; developed a support program for autistic students; and taught disability social justice courses designed to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and build a more inclusive society. He now consults and teaches as Rowan University’s first Neurodiversity Scholar-in-Residence. He has extensive experience facilitating integration of neurodivergent individuals at worksites and in schools; speaks nationally on autism and

neurodiversity related issues; continues to teach courses on disability social justice; and serves on the boards of several regional and national organizations. He also specializes in sexuality and autism and has conducted published research on best practices for working with teenagers who are both neurodivergent and gender divergent. Mr. Zaks brings unique perspectives to professional projects and trainings as a disability counselor, an autistic self-advocate, and a parent of two neurodivergent children.