Special Education Teachers
Master Teacher
Alicia Honn has been working with children with Developmental Disabilities since she was 15 years old. After answering an advertisement in a local newspaper she began working as a paraprofessional in San Diego with the Association for Retarded Citizens.
Ms. Honn continued working with ARC while living in Chico and earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in Rehabilitation Therapy from Chico State University in 1986. Ms. Honn went on to work as a Rehabilitation Therapist at the Sonoma Developmental Center for nine years, during which time she realized that her true love was in special education of children. After completing her Masters Degree at Sonoma State University, Ms. Honn earned several teaching credentials which she currently maintains in her role as Master Teacher at the ACE School. Ms. Honn has worked in a number of capacities in education over the past ten years, including SDC teacher at Children’s Day Treatment Center, Behavior Analyst for a local agency, and full-inclusion case manager for a public school district. Ms. Honn has emerged from these experiences as a highly skilled and extremely effective educator and mentor of children. As the first teacher at the ACE School, Ms. Honn was instrumental in developing the curriculum and classroom management models being implemented and has played a large role in the success of our program.
Special Education Teacher
April Kelly is a credentialed Special Education teacher who has spent the past ten years of her life working with children with special needs and their families. Ms. Kelly received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from Sonoma State University and is currently completing her Master of Arts Degree in Special Education. Ms. Kelly has extensive experience that includes work in school, home, and community settings and has been with Anova for the past five years, including her work as a paraprofessional assistant.
She has been instrumental in implementing the Anova Method of Education at the ACE School over the past two years as the early elementary teacher. Ms. Kelly was born and raised in Sonoma County and continues to make her home here with her son.
Special Education Teacher
Mesa Whitt is an experienced educator who has been working with children for 20 years as a paraprofessional, residential treatment provider, group home manager, and special education teacher. Ms. Whitt attended the University of Alabama-Huntsville and been involved with a number of human service organizations, including the Special Olympics. She graduated with honors in 1994 from Athens State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Special Education. Ms. Whitt has earned teaching credentials in both Alabama and California and is currently serving as the teacher of the upper elementary grades at the ACE School. Ms. Whitt has worked in a highly regarded treatment milieu for emotionally disturbed children and has served as an educator and mentor for children in Sonoma County for close to two decades. Ms. Whitt has been with Anova for the last nine years and has been instrumental in the success of our school program and in developing and implementing the Anova Method of Education at the ACE School.
Special Education Teacher
Katie Parsons has worked with people with disabilities since she was 16 years old, and has such a strong connection with her students that she believes special education to be her calling in life. In high school, for her elective classes, she chose to assist in the school’s special day class, and before joining the Anova team, she worked in programs serving developmentally disabled adults, with children on the Autism Spectrum, and for North Bay Regional Center. Ms. Parsons earned an Associates of Arts degree in Child Development and Early Childhood Education, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies, and a Moderate/Severe Disabilities Education Specialist Credential from Sonoma State University. She joined Anova Center for Education in 2006 as a Classroom Aide, advanced to the role of Classroom Coordinator and to her current position of Special Education Teacher.
Special Education Teacher
Ami Lyons grew up near Boston, MA, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and a special education credential from Sonoma State University. He chose a career in special education because he wants to motivate and inspire people who learn differently. Mr. Lyons joined Anova as a special education teacher for ACE High School in 2009, and oversees the Culinary Arts program.
Special Education Teacher
Breann Roybal grew up in Santa Rosa and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies and a multiple subject teaching credential from Sonoma State University. She spent two years teaching regular education 4th and 6th grade classes, and learned about Anova and ACE Schools from one of her 6th grade students who had successfully returned from ACE to public school. It was because of her experience working with this student that Ms. Roybal decided to pursue a career in special education. She joined Anova as a classroom assistant while she worked toward earning her special education teaching credential, and became an ACE teacher in 2009.
Special Education Teacher
Bonnie Ramirez brings to Anova years of experience teaching very diverse populations of students from Hawaii, to the Pacific Northwest, and finally to the North Bay area. Born and raised on Maui, Ms. Ramirez earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from Concordia University in Portland, during which time she worked in a residential program serving adolescents with disabilities including autism and cognitive delays. She taught middle school mathematics for two years at a public school on Maui, and three years of inclusion classes for 6th grade students at the Marine Corps Base on the Island of Oahu. In 2004, Ms. Ramirez came to California to begin her work at Anova as a Classroom Coordinator at our ACE Napa campus. She was promoted to the position of ACE High School teacher after earning her special education teaching credential, and is currently taking Autism Specialization classes as part of her Master of Arts program in Special Education from National University in Sacramento.
Jim Elliot
Adaptive Physical Education Teacher
Jim Elliott has worked in the field of Adaptive Physical Education (APE) for the past 23 years. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from San Diego State University, an APE credential from Sonoma State University, and a Master of Arts degree in movement learning from Sacramento State University. Mr. Elliott has designed activities to enable students with a wide array of disabilities to participate in physical education, and joined Anova in 2008. In 2011, Mr. Elliott and two colleagues published the book Speech in Action, which introduces strategies for combining Speech and Language Pathology with physical education.
Adaptive Physical Education Teacher
Jim Elliott has worked in the field of Adaptive Physical Education (APE) for the past 23 years. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from San Diego State University, an APE credential from Sonoma State University, and a Master of Arts degree in movement learning from Sacramento State University. Mr. Elliott has designed activities to enable students with a wide array of disabilities to participate in physical education, and joined Anova in 2008. In 2011, Mr. Elliott and two colleagues published the book Speech in Action, which introduces strategies for combining Speech and Language Pathology with physical education.
Karen Bon
Special Education Teacher
Karen Bon grew up in the Chicago area and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in writing from Pomona College and a Master of Education degree in Special Education from the University of Washington. Prior to joining Anova as a high school teacher at the ACE Sonoma campus in 2010, Ms. Bon worked for two programs in Washington with students on the autism spectrum and ADHD. She has extensive experience working with students of all ages, and feels a particular affinity toward those with special needs.
Special Education Teacher
Karen Bon grew up in the Chicago area and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in writing from Pomona College and a Master of Education degree in Special Education from the University of Washington. Prior to joining Anova as a high school teacher at the ACE Sonoma campus in 2010, Ms. Bon worked for two programs in Washington with students on the autism spectrum and ADHD. She has extensive experience working with students of all ages, and feels a particular affinity toward those with special needs.
Special Education Teacher
Special Education Teacher Patricia Lounibos began her career in Education as a Montessori Teacher and tutor, specializing in students with Learning Disabilities. During her 10 years working in this field, Ms. Lounibos had her first encounters working with students on the autism spectrum, the beginning of a life-long pursuit for understanding children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and how she could best serve them. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from Dominican University, and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, Single Subject Teaching Credential in English, and a Masters Degree in Teaching Reading at University of San Francisco. After completion of her teaching credentials, Ms. Lounibos worked as a tutor specializing in literacy development and as a substitute teacher in schools throughout Sonoma County. In the Fall of 2010, she began work to earn a Special Education teaching credential at Dominican University and began an internship with Anova Center for Education. She completed her internship and received her Education Specialist Credential in May of 2011 and is happy to be bringing more than 20 years of educational experience with her into her dream job.
Special Education Teacher
Lindy DeBenedetti is a Santa Rosa native and has worked with regular and special education students for seven years. She graduated from the Art Quest program at Santa Rosa High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Art with an emphasis in photography and sculpture from Azusa Pacific University. After college, Ms. DeBenedetti worked as a Mental Health Assistant for a non-public school in Sacramento, leading group therapy and crisis counseling sessions for emotionally disturbed high school students. Ms. DeBenedetti received her Mild/Moderate Special Education Credential from Chapman University and has taught in elementary, junior high, and high school special day classes. In 2010, Ms. DeBenedetti moved back to her hometown and began teaching at ACE.
Special Education Teacher
Jennifer Strass earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and English from St. Mary’s College. After working as an event planner for the city of Pittsburg for two years, she returned to St. Mary’s to earn her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential for regular education classrooms. She taught in 1st and 3rd grade classes, where she worked with a student with special needs and was inspired to pursue her Special Education Credential, which she earned in 2010. Ms. Strass joined Anova in 2009 as a Classroom Aide and quickly transitioned to Classroom Coordinator and ultimately to Special Education Teacher in 2010. She loves being able to offer her students individualized attention and an education tailored specifically to each student.
Autumn Yoakum
Special Education Teacher
Autumn Yoakum grew up in Stockton and earned an Associate of Arts degree in Humanities from San Joaquin Delta College, Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies from San Francisco State University, and is currently working toward a Master of Arts degree in Special Education from Alliant University. She was inspired by her 4th grade teacher, Mrs. McGregor, to become a teacher, and her first teaching position was as an Oakland Teaching Fellow. Ms. Yoakum feels a strong connection to students on the autism spectrum and believes they are the people who will make the most difference in the world, given their unique abilities and insight. She joined Anova in 2011, and currently teaches high school students at the ACE Marin campus.
Special Education Teacher
Autumn Yoakum grew up in Stockton and earned an Associate of Arts degree in Humanities from San Joaquin Delta College, Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies from San Francisco State University, and is currently working toward a Master of Arts degree in Special Education from Alliant University. She was inspired by her 4th grade teacher, Mrs. McGregor, to become a teacher, and her first teaching position was as an Oakland Teaching Fellow. Ms. Yoakum feels a strong connection to students on the autism spectrum and believes they are the people who will make the most difference in the world, given their unique abilities and insight. She joined Anova in 2011, and currently teaches high school students at the ACE Marin campus.
Michael Otto
Special Education Teacher
Michael Otto grew up in Vianópolis, Brazil, but spent part of each year in the United States. He moved to the States full time to attend Corban University in Salem, OR. Mr. Otto earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Corban in Health Science, after which he planned to attend chiropractic school. His plans changed when he took what he thought would be a short-term position as an Anova paraprofessional under the direction of Anova Master Teacher Alicia Honn in 2008. He then changed his plans and pursued a teaching credential from Sonoma State University. Mr. Otto enjoys the challenges of working with students on the spectrum, and credits the students’ struggles with cognitive awareness for keeping his work interesting and engaging.
Special Education Teacher
Michael Otto grew up in Vianópolis, Brazil, but spent part of each year in the United States. He moved to the States full time to attend Corban University in Salem, OR. Mr. Otto earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Corban in Health Science, after which he planned to attend chiropractic school. His plans changed when he took what he thought would be a short-term position as an Anova paraprofessional under the direction of Anova Master Teacher Alicia Honn in 2008. He then changed his plans and pursued a teaching credential from Sonoma State University. Mr. Otto enjoys the challenges of working with students on the spectrum, and credits the students’ struggles with cognitive awareness for keeping his work interesting and engaging.
Shayna Johnson
Special Education Teacher
Shayna Johnson joined Anova at the beginning of the Fall 2011 school year as a co-teacher of ACE Marin’s upper elementary classroom. She grew up in Jamestown, NY, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communicative Disorders and Sciences from State University of New York, Buffalo. Ms. Johnson began a career in special education because she wanted to inspire and give confidence to children with special needs. Before she joined Anova, Ms. Johnson was a research clinician in New York for an intensive behavioral program for children with autism, and was also employed as a Speech Pathology Assistant. Ms. Johnson enjoys the challenge of figuring out what each student needs in order to learn, and is grateful for the support her Anova team provides.
Special Education Teacher
Shayna Johnson joined Anova at the beginning of the Fall 2011 school year as a co-teacher of ACE Marin’s upper elementary classroom. She grew up in Jamestown, NY, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communicative Disorders and Sciences from State University of New York, Buffalo. Ms. Johnson began a career in special education because she wanted to inspire and give confidence to children with special needs. Before she joined Anova, Ms. Johnson was a research clinician in New York for an intensive behavioral program for children with autism, and was also employed as a Speech Pathology Assistant. Ms. Johnson enjoys the challenge of figuring out what each student needs in order to learn, and is grateful for the support her Anova team provides.
Mimi Schalich
Special Education Teacher
Mimi Schalich earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development with a minor in Psychology from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. A Marin County native, Ms. Schalich finishes her last semester at Dominican University this spring to earn her General and Special Education Credentials. Her interest in Special Education was sparked in high school and grew in college when she worked with a preschool age boy with Soto Syndrome. This experience gave her the opportunity to learn about working with Speech and Language Pathologists and Occupational Therapists, to study sign language to assist others to communicate successfully, and to actively support student’s needs in IEP meetings. She joined Anova in 2009 as a one-on-one aide for a student in Mill Valley, was offered a Classroom Coordinator position at ACE Marin, and later taught summer school to the class. She now co-teaches in the ACE Marin upper elementary class. Ms. Schalich loves that while she doesn’t know what may be in store each school day, she knows that the ACE staff will always remain positive and offer each student the best education possible.
Special Education Teacher
Mimi Schalich earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development with a minor in Psychology from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. A Marin County native, Ms. Schalich finishes her last semester at Dominican University this spring to earn her General and Special Education Credentials. Her interest in Special Education was sparked in high school and grew in college when she worked with a preschool age boy with Soto Syndrome. This experience gave her the opportunity to learn about working with Speech and Language Pathologists and Occupational Therapists, to study sign language to assist others to communicate successfully, and to actively support student’s needs in IEP meetings. She joined Anova in 2009 as a one-on-one aide for a student in Mill Valley, was offered a Classroom Coordinator position at ACE Marin, and later taught summer school to the class. She now co-teaches in the ACE Marin upper elementary class. Ms. Schalich loves that while she doesn’t know what may be in store each school day, she knows that the ACE staff will always remain positive and offer each student the best education possible.