Beth Kuklinski, Program Director
Beth holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from North Carolina State University. She has advanced graduate coursework on Specialized Education. Currently Beth is completing a Master’s in English with a focus on Multi Cultural and Transnational Literatures from Eastern Carolina University. She specializes in working with divergent thinkers, gifted children and children on the Autism Spectrum. Her ability to dramatically increase test scores with out of the box thinkers and exceptional children and her innovative ideas about experiential learning inspired her to become the founder of a school especially for them. Beth’s compilation of research, consultations with specialists in educational and therapeutic fields, and experience is the foundation of this pilot program.
Kathryn Kuklinski, Administrative Director
Kathy received her Nursing education at St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing in Elmira, NY.. Attended Elmira College and Corning Community College in New York, and Drury College in Missouri for further liberal arts studies. She has been active in nursing for nearly five decades, involved in direct patient care in a wide variety of settings including Womens and Children’s health, surgical and neuropsychiatric nursing, and a year of combat nursing in Viet Nam. She has several years of teaching experience, and has worked as manager of Colgate University student health center. She spent time working for the CDC Public Response Service during the anthrax, smallpox and Sars concerns, and has served as Senior Consultant Nurse to an international pharmaceutical products company. Interests include travel, reading, enjoying time with grandchildren, and watching Yankee baseball!
Colleen Haley, Educational Instructor
Colleen received her Bachelor’s degree from Emmanuel College in Boston, MA, where she received her teaching license in visual arts education. She took many art therapy classes along with education and art and has always looked for opportunities to use the arts to help children learn in all areas. She has had experience working with a diverse population of children, including children with physical, emotional, and learning disabilities such as children on the autism spectrum, visual impairments and emotional and behavioral problems. Colleen is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in child and adolescent development and is excited to be a part of the Jordan Lake School of the Arts.
Danan Smith, Outdoor Educator and Greenhouse Manager
Danan is completing a Biological Life Sciences degree at NCSU. Danan worked for years for the Autism Society of North Carolina and Supported Employment Training of Easterseals. He is an Eagle Scout and is trained in Non-violent crisis intervention and CPR/First Aid. He is a permaculture enthusiast. He enjoys being a teacher for kids who need creative opportunities to
succeed. He enjoys the outdoors, fishing, running and yoga. He believes that within everyone lies an innate savant, a frequency unique to time and situation; that is to be nourished and encouraged to make their unique contribution to the world.
Katherine Fletcher, Aide
Katherine is an aide at Jordan Lake School of the Arts and a senior at Peace College. She will graduate in March 2011 with a B.A. in Human Services. Her educational background includes Child and Adolescent Development, Psychology, Diversity, and Sociology. As a high school graduate from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts she believes strongly in an education which fosters the growth of unique minds. Through the experience gained with the children at JLSA, she hopes to pursue graduate work which will further her ability to work with those on the Autism Spectrum.
Rob Winzeler, Aide / Educational Instructor in Training
Rob holds a Bachelor's degree from Chiminade University in Special Education. He has years of experience teaching children with autism at Maui Warna Intermediate School. He participated in a pilot program for autistic children during his time on Maui. Rob moved to NC in 2006 and became involved in Spanish Immersion visting South America , Costa Rico, and Mexico. Rob is working to become a bi-lingual specioal education teacher. Rob also holds a degree in Hotal and Restaurant Management from Northwood University. He aspires to creating a curriculum of hotel and restaurant skills that trains exceptional individuals in this field. Rob is an avid swimmer, tennis player, and enjoys science and nature.
Mary Cotter, Drama Instructor
Mary is an experienced educator and theatre artist. After graduating from California State Northridge with a Bachelor's in Education she has been involved in education since 2002 and continues her love of teaching and helping students. She recently received her license to teach drama (her favorite art) through North Carolina Central University and feels that creativity is important to every child. She has acted in plays since junior high school and wants to help others with their creativity.
Lauren Jolly, Featured Artist and Art Instructor
" I attribute my love of art to my father, and I have been painting with my him since I was about 7 years old.He encouraged me to pursue my passion and go to art school." While in school, Lauren furthered her knowledge of painting and drawing, but also gained a new knowledge base in graphic design, ceramics, and photography.She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She is excited to be able to share my knowledge and passion with children and is looking forward to finding out what they can teach me."
http://www.wix.com/laurenjolly/lauren-elizabeth-art
Cory Hunt, Dance Instructor
Cory has been dancing since the age of 6 and she has been teaching for more than 12 years. She studied dance at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she was also a member of the nationally ranked dance team. She has also danced with some notable non-profit dance companies including Carolina Style. She has experience dancing and teaching many forms of dance including; Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Modern, Tap, Acrobatics, Hip-Hop, Liturgical, Clogging, Indian Dance, All-Star Cheerleading, and All-Star Dance. She has been recognized for outstanding choreography for 4 year consecutive years running. She has previously owned her own dance studio and she currently teaches for privately owned studios in the area. On a personal level, she has a 7 year old daughter and she is looking forward to embracing a new family at Jordan Lake School of the Arts.
Brittany Akers, Music Instructor
Brittany earned her Bachelor of Arts from Campbell University and her Master's in Performance Studies from Appalachian State University. Brittnay has years of experience teaching children to read and play music and has contributed to the community through her philanthropic endeavors with Heartstrings of Music Inc. and The BIG Music Move. She is the owner and an instructor of Talent Productions based in Cary, NC. Brittnay has seen the transformative power of music in the lives of children and is committed to guiding children to learn to use music as a vehicle for self expression.
Volunteers:
Rebecca Hirschfield and Freddie
Rebecca and Freddie are the founders of See Spot Read, a program that brings dogs and kids together to enhance reading skills. The program, with over 30 volunteers, serves children in schools, libraries and clubs in the Triangle area of North Carolina. For her day job, Rebecca is an independent consultant specializing in software product marketing. For his day job, Freddie leads a dog’s life of lounging and looking adorable. He is a 5 year old Shepherd/Hound mix who has earned both Canine Good Citizen and pet therapy certifications. In his spare time, Freddie enjoys eating, walking, snuggling and of course, reading with children.