Behavior Analysts
Behavior Analyst
Marc Pieper brings to Anova nearly 30 years of experience providing both direct instruction and consultative services to children, adults, and families. He has worked in numerous settings including outpatient treatments centers, day training activity centers, State developmental centers, and for nearly twenty years in the public schools. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1980, graduating with honors. He completed his Master’s degree in Education from San Francisco University in 1996 and received the Hilda Taba Scholarship for academic achievement. Mr. Pieper joined Anova in 2002. In his current role as Behavior Analyst for Anova he is responsible for the assessment, treatment design, and oversight of the intervention plans and skills training methodologies for students in Sonoma, Solano, and Alameda counties. He also provides behavior consultation and support for children and their families at home throughout the North Bay. Mr. Pieper has a specialization in video modeling technology and has taught his methods and presented research for many years in conference and workshop settings.
Senior Behavior Analyst, Behavioral Services Supervisor
Jill Furuoka has been a part of the Anova family since 2002. She gained her experience in the field of autism and special education in positions as a paraprofessional, substitute teacher, and behavior analyst. She is an expert in the development and application of autism early intervention programs for toddler and pre-school age students using the principles and practices of applied behavior analysis. Her current work includes oversight of home-based early intervention programs for young children with a diagnosis of autism or significant developmental delays, the development of positive behavior intervention plans, supervision and training for staff, parent education and consultation, and professional consultation to educators in public school districts throughout the North Bay area. She served as the Behavior Analyst for Anova’s ACE School in Santa Rosa for three years. Ms. Furuoka attended Humboldt State University where she graduated with academic distinction, receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology in 1998 and a Master of Arts Degree in Psychology in 2001. She recently fulfilled the coursework and requirements to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Ms. Furuoka has presented her work at the Annual Conference of the California Association for Behavior Analysis in 2007 and 2010, as well as at the Association for Behavior Analysis International Annual Conference in 2003.
Behavior Analyst
Chelsea Siegel has more than 13 years of experience in the field of education as a paraprofessional, teacher, and behavior analyst. She provides behavioral services for students and regional center clients of all ages with a variety of special needs. Ms. Siegel completes functional assessments, develops positive behavior intervention plans, and consults with parents, teachers and paraprofessionals to implement behavioral strategies in home, school and community settings. Ms. Siegel received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology with a minor in music from the University of California at San Diego in 1994. She moved to Northern California and attended Dominican University, where she obtained a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, a Cross-cultural, Language and Academic Development (CLAD) Certificate, and a Master of Science Degree in Education, with emphasis on curriculum and instruction. Ms. Siegel presented a research study which examined social interactions of children with autism, along with her Anova colleagues at the 2010 Annual Conference of the California Association for Behavior Analysis. Ms. Siegel recently completed coursework through Florida Institute of Technology for professional development to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
Behavior Analyst
Sarah Bussell earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Sonoma State University and went on to complete her Master’s Degree at the University of San Francisco in Psychology with an emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy. Ms. Bussell gained experience in a variety of settings while working both as a youth and family therapist and, when employed at a local school district, as a school counselor. She then moved into the Special Education field full time and worked in a non-public school serving students with emotional disturbance as a Social Worker, supporting both students and their families in school and at home. Ms. Bussell was offered a clinical and supervisory position developing behavior intervention plans and training teachers and staff to manage severe classroom behaviors. Ms. Bussell joined Anova as a Behavior Analyst in December 2006. In her position as Behavior Analyst, she provides classroom consultation and support, develops functional analysis assessments and oversees the implementation of behavior intervention plans, and assists families to address behavior concerns at home.
Behavior Analyst
Le-Ann Elgie’s experience in the field of special education spans 15 years, the greatest majority of which has been utilizing applied behavior analysis in a variety of settings serving those with autism. After graduating from Brown University and receiving a Master of Arts degree from Rhode Island College, Ms. Elgie spent the first eight years of her career on the East Coast, working in some of the most highly regarded behavioral programs available for children and adults with autism. She quickly developed strong leadership and managerial skills, working her way into positions with increased supervisory responsibility. Ms. Elgie focused her expertise on delivering top-quality early intervention services for children ages 18 months to five years. At Anova, she has brought her experience to our state-of-the-art early intervention ABA program based on best practices and current research. Ms. Elgie currently oversees Anova’s early intervention programs in Solano and Napa Counties. She also provides behavior assessment and consultation for families in Solano and Napa Counties.
Behavior Analyst
Heather Logan has worked in the field of special education for 13 years. She began her career as a tutor providing intensive early intervention services under the leadership of Dr. Gregory Buch, a colleague of Ivar Lovaas at UCLA. After several years, Ms. Logan was then employed by the Children’s Health Council as their Behavioral Consultant, providing school-based and in-home behavior support to students with a variety of mental health issues and learning disabilities. Ms. Logan became an independent contractor and provided services for several Bay Area school districts, non-public schools, and private families. In the summer of 2009, she moved to the North Bay and was hired by Anova as a Behavior Analyst for the ACE school in Marin and to provide behavior consultation and support to public school students in Alameda and Marin Counties and along the San Francisco Peninsula. Ms. Logan’s education includes a Bachelor of Science degree from UC Davis, a Single Subject Teaching Credential, and a Master of Education degree in curriculum and instruction.
Behavior Analyst
April Smith has worked with students with autism and other learning disabilities for more than five years. She began with Anova as a paraprofessional working at Anova’s ACE School in Santa Rosa. She was promoted to classroom coordinator at ACE and then to a Behavior Analyst position for the agency. Ms. Smith graduated from San Francisco State University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and received a Master of Science Degree in Psychology from Walden University in 2009. Ms. Smith is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in General Education Psychology, also from Walden University. Ms. Smith worked as the Behavior Analyst assigned to Anova’s ACE School in San Rafael, and is currently serving as the Behavior Analyst for the ACE School’s Santa Rosa campus. As the Behavior Analyst for the ACE School, Ms. Smith develops and oversees the implementation of the positive behavior intervention plans for students in kindergarten through twelfth grade.
Behavior Analyst
Nadine Wilches earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from Central Connecticut State University, a Master of Arts degree in social work from Fordham University, where she graduated Pi Kappa Phi, and ABA training from the Institute of Professional Practice in Connecticut. Ms. Wilches has experience as a Behavior Analyst for a child protective services agency in New York City and worked as the emergency response team supervisor at Queens Criminal Court, during which time she also had a private practice as a behavior therapist, working in homes and with children with autism, Asperger’s, and neurological issues. She joined Anova in 2010 and loves the continued challenge and opportunity to make big strides with ACE students.