STAFF
Elisa Chrem, MA CCC SLP
Principal -
Speech Pathologist
Ms. Chrem holds a Masters Degree in Speech Language Pathology and in Educational Leadership. She is a member of the Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental and Learning Disorders and is obtaining her certification in DIR (Developmental Individual Relationship) Therapy. Elisa has extensive training and experience in Augmentative Alternative Communication. She has worked with Autistic children through Early Intervention, in Preschools and K-12 School Settings. She is trained in Applied Behavioral Analysis, Visual Cognitive Therapy, PROMPT and the Lindamood Bell Program.
Ellana Sanders, MAMT-BC LCAT
Director of Mental Health Services -
Music Therapist
Ms. Sanders is a Licensed Mental Health Practitioner. She has comprehensive experience in both ABA and DIR. Her work offers a productive and successful medium of communication to further counseling, social/emotional and music therapy goals within a therapeutic relationship. Ellana holds a Masters degree in Music Therapy, with a focus in Developmental Psychology, from New York University where she is currently on faculty. She received her BA in Experiential Psychology from Binghamton University. One of the founding staff members of Imagine Academy, Ellana has extensive experience with children diagnosed with autism. Her work has been featured on national news programs and in local publications. Ellana is a DIR provider, a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist and a Board Certified Music Therapist.
Chaya Zingerevich, OTD OTR/L
Director of Occupational Therapy
Dr. Chaya Zingerevich has been an occupational therapist since 1981. She has extensive work experience with children with autism, developmental disabilities, cerebral palsy, fragile-X, ADHD and learning disabilities. Her previous experience includes conducting OT research studies, providing lectures, mentoring and supervising clinicians and caregivers. Chaya received her Doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy from Washington University, St. Louis. School of Medicine, and her Master’s of Science in Occupational Therapy from Hebrew University in Jerusalem. She is certified by the National Board of Occupational Therapy and licensed by the NY and California Boards of Occupational Therapy. Chaya is certified in Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT), and a certified provider of the Listening Program. She is a current member of the American Occupational Therapy Association, the Israeli Society of Occupational Therapy, and the International Society of Autism Research.
Michele Havens, Ed.D.
DIR/Floortime Director
Dr. Havens has the unique knowledge of both DIR and ABA methodologies. She received her Doctoral degree in Special Education, specializing in Early Childhood, from Rutgers University. She holds a MA in Audiology, a BA in Speech Pathology and is a Certified DIR Practitioner. Michele is a Professor of Special Education at Kean University, Montclair State University and Daemen College. She has presented at numerous conferences, facilitates parent support groups and is a private consultant for children with Autism and their families.
Anna Z. Coles, MS Ed.
Director of Applied Behavior Analysis
Ms. Coles is a specialist in Applied Behavioral Analysis and Autism. Anna received her Masters degree from the University of New Orleans in Special Education. She has over twenty years experience teaching and supervising both special education students and teachers. For the past fifteen years, Anna has been devoted to working with students on the autism spectrum.
Elisheva Heyman, MA CCC SLP
Director of Speech and Language Pathology
Ms. Heyman holds a Masters degree in Speech and Language Pathology from Loyola College. She is certified through ASHA and the State of New York. Elisheva is prompt trained and experienced with augmentative technology. She supervises graduate and undergraduate students from area universities and local colleges.
Marov Cohen, MA Sp. Ed.
Special Educator -
Classroom Teacher
Merav Cohen has been pursuing a career in the field of education for the past several years. Following her Bachelor’s degree in elementary education, Merav took interest in the world of special education. Merav began her work in special education as a counselor in Camp HASC. Having had that first hand experience in the field and working so closely with disabled children, inspired her to go for her Masters degree in special education at Hunter College. During this time, Merav worked at different schools, working with students with learning disabilities improving their reading, writing and study skills. Over the past two summers, Merav has returned to Camp Hasc as a classroom teacher, where she works closely with students with a range of disabilities throughout the day, ensuring that proper skills and goals are maintained throughout the duration of the summer.
Aura S. Varon
Assistant Teacher
Ms. Varon attended Brooklyn College where she studied Child Psychology. She completed a BJE mentoring program focusing on elementary education. Aura has been with Imagine Academy since its inception in 2005. A mother of four children, she has a plethora of experience in education and caring for children.
Deena Kress, OTRL
Occupational Therapist
Ms. Kress is a Registered and Licensed Occupational Therapist. She has been working with children with disabilities for 12 years.
Tobie Tepfer
Physical Therapy Consultant
Ms. Tepfer received her Physical Therapy training at SUNY downstate.
Chana VanEtton
Assistant Teacher
Chana Van Etten is in the process of getting her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Brooklyn College with hopes to further her education by continuing into a Neuropsychology program. This is her fourth year working at imagine academy.
Michael Esposito
Floortime specialist
Esther Betesh
Floortime Specialist
Faith Condon LPC ATR
Art Therapist
Floortime specialist
Faith Condon, LPC, ATR is a Registered Art Therapist (ATR) and holds a masters degree in creative arts therapies from Pratt Institute. She has recently returned to NYC from Hartford, Connecticut where she was the director of the creative arts therapy center and over night camps for CIB Oak Hill. Ms. Condon is a Licensed Youth Camp Director, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and was a board member of the Connecticut Art Therapy Association. She specializes in providing floor time based art therapy adapted to meet the emotional and sensory needs of children and adults on the autism spectrum. Currently, she is a member of the American Art Therapy Association, the American Counseling Association and the Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental and Learning Disorders.
Lori Shulman Yocheved
Assistant Teacher
Yocheved Pollak
Teacher
Yocheved has been working for Imagine Academy since the very beginning. Maintaining her commitment to the program and the students, she pursued her higher education at TTI, an affiliate of Daemon College. Yocheved’s teaching methodology fully integrates ABA and DIR/Floortime.
Annie Setton
Office Manager
Annie, a Brooklyn College Graduate is presently studying social work at Touro College. She has been an integral part of the administrative duties of Imagine Academy for 4 years.
Lea Besinger
Controller
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