May is Mental Health Awareness Month. To mark the occasion, we asked the Academy360 staff responsible for our students’ emotional health to introduce themselves and answer some questions about the challenges students face, what they love about their jobs and to write a message for parents:

COLLEEN MANLEY
A360 Upper School Certified School Counselor

Education:
Bachelors of Arts – Psychology from Ramapo College of New Jersey
Masters in Education – Professional Counseling from William Paterson University
Masters in Special Education – Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University

Years with Academy360:
2 years as a School Counselor 2 years as a Paraprofessional

About Colleen:
My passion for working with individuals with special needs began when I volunteered as a Special Olympics coach during my undergraduate studies. This led me to an internship at a Mental Healthcare center where I aided with the facilitation of group counseling sessions for children, adolescents and adults on the spectrum.

Following graduation I was employed as a paraprofessional at the Lower School for two years while I completed my Professional Counseling masters degree. My passion has only grown over the years and for the past two years I have had the role of a School Counselor at the Upper School. Additionally, I am employed as a therapist at a private practice where I specialize in working with adolescents and teens with ASD and related disorders.

What issues do you work on with students?
As a clinician at the Upper School I create goals and objectives specifically focused on the students’ needs. These objectives may include developing coping strategies, social skills, managing peer conflict, further exploration of self, goal setting etc. I am available for individual sessions, small groups, check-ins and requests throughout the school day. Additionally, I attend community based instruction opportunities with students where they can practice the skills that they are working on in a natural setting.

What do you consider your greatest strength?
My desire to help others and have a positive impact on the individuals that I work with.

What message do you have for parents of children on the spectrum?
There are many resources available for individuals with special needs who may need support with their mental health in and out of school and the clinical department is available to help guide you in the right direction.

Describe a recent challenge or success:
It is always wonderful to see students build relationships with their peers.

What do you most love about what you do?
I love working with my amazing students and seeing them reach their goals!

What are your best tips or suggestions for dealing with stress and/or keeping a healthy emotional outlook?
Self care is extremely important. If we do not take care of ourselves then we will not be able to help others.

=====

TYNESHA CUMMINGS
A360 Upper School Social Worker

Education:
Masters of Social Work

Years with Academy360:
I started on 2019 then left and returned back in 2021

About Tynesha:
I was a mental health clinician at Turning Point, Inc in Paterson NJ from 2015-2018. I also served as a contracted school therapist for an agency in Easton, Pennsylvania. I started out my career at A360 as a paraprofessional and it 2022 returned as the School Social Worker.

What do you consider your greatest strength?
I consider empathy to be my greatest strength. As a professional, I always put myself in the shoes of my clients, understanding that they have needs, feelings, and a desire to be heard. It is important that clients know we are listening to their concerns and experiencing what they are sharing.

What should all parents know/understand about their child’s mental/emotional health?
Parents should understand that there is no “perfect” child/children. We are all individually and uniquely created with many different gifts, talents, abilities, and challenges. Just because their child is born with a mental or emotional disability does not make them any less than their peers. Embrace their uniqueness, hone in on their skills, and do not limit their ability for growth.

Describe a challenge or success during your career:
When I started my career at A360, I was placed with a student who was very challenging. When most staff would find out who I was working with they would often say “good luck”. I was not sure if that was a good or bad thing. I was extremely nervous working with the student based on everyone’s views of him. The one and half year I worked with this student was indeed challenging because he would elope, take other students’ food, and grab staff members’ arms for attention. Once I built a rapport with him it was like we were meant to be paired together. He would listen to me with no problem, completed his work, stopped stealing food, and even started eating his own food. I was able to see him graduate last year which gave me some much joy and tears at the same time. I did not let the views of others stop me from trying my best to help him daily.

What do you most love about what you do?
I love that I get to help make a difference in the lives of our students each and every day.

What are your best tips or suggestions for dealing with stress and/or keeping a healthy emotional outlook?
Self-care is my go to advice when dealing with stress. It will change your emotional outlook on life and work. Finding something you love that brings relaxation and comfort is key.

=====

GLORIA NELSON
A360 Upper School Certified School Counselor

Education:
BA and MA w/ a Counseling Specialization in Schools K-12

Years with Academy360:
6 years and 4 years as counselor

Brief description of background or work history:
Worked in daycare starting in the 90’s, Acting Program 2005, Fashion work in NYC, decided to get masters and graduated in 2019. Then everything is history from there!

What issues do you work on with students?
School counselors wear many hats, students may need assistance with conflict resolution, character ed, family, processing feelings and thoughts, developmental/ adulthood. We strive to take a holistic approach to help our students become successful and carry over in the natural environment.

What do you consider your greatest strength?
I consider my greatest strength is helping the students discover their natural talents and abilities. I also think having that special connection with their families is key for the spillover effect to take .

What should all parents know/understand about their child’s mental/emotional health?
I wish all parents would understand that their child is imperfectly perfect. We are all working on something, no matter what walk of life or challenge you face. Parents should take a mental moment to understand their child’s strengths in order to “showcase the good” in their child and in themselves. Everyone is unique.

Describe a challenge or success you have had with a student.
When a student who no longer struggles with incorporating a goal in the natural environment. Example, a student being able to advocate for themselves as opposed to acting out to gain attention. The student can now express how they are feeling and use coping strategies to deal with a challenging moment. I’ve worked with several students who can independently advocate their needs.

What do you most love about what you do?
I did not choose this profession, it chose me. I am thankful and grateful for the path I took to get where I am now. This path gave me the opportunity to gain experience in various occupations. This was my calling and I love working in the helper profession. I enjoy working with my students and families. What brings me the most joy is when I see the students carry over goals they have practiced at school, in the home and in the community. The students smile with pride when they realize they have made some strides in their goal.

What are your best tips or suggestions for dealing with stress and/or keeping a healthy emotional outlook?
Having a work/life balance is essential. You must incorporate what brings you joy into your daily life. I personally love yoga, meditation, hikes and shopping as my selfcare.

=====

BETH MAHENY
A360 Lower School Clinical Coordinator

Education:
Masters plus 60, Certified school psychologist

Years with TCI/A360:
12

Brief description of background or work history:
I have worked with autistic students and their families since 1988 when I taught at a therapeutic nursery school.

What issues do you work on with students?
Emotional regulation, self awareness.

What is your guiding principle when working with students?
What is most functional for the student at any point. Being able to express and identify their feelings is at the root of behavior and mood.

What should all parents know/understand about their child’s mental/emotional health?
Every family is different, but modeling good stress management is a good place to start in trying to teach emotional regulation.

Describe a challenge or success you have had with a student.
Helping a student to build frustration tolerance so they are able to reach their goals.

What do you most love about what you do?
Working directly with the students.

What are your best tips or suggestions for dealing with stress and/or keeping a healthy emotional outlook?
Stay in the present moment and focus on short term goals.

=====

TERRI FALLON
School Counselor

Education:
Montclair State University Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, Counseling , New Jersey Standard Certificate K -12

Years with A360:
5

Brief description of background or work history:
I worked as a preschool teacher and home-based visitor for the Head Start program in rural Pennsylvania. During this time, I was introduced to the foundational principles of Applied Behavioral Therapy. As a preschool teacher of children from low-income families, I experienced poverty’s impact on children’s social, emotional, and physical health. I was frustrated as children came to school hungry, tired, and sometimes engaged in maladaptive behaviors for which I was unprepared. Fortunately, I could consult and collaborate with other professionals who guided and trained me to manage behaviors and address the emotional needs of the children.

Even though I was a teacher, my work focused on developing children’s social skills and fostering their emotional well-being. Additionally, I gained extensive experience educating parents regarding child development and supporting their role as their child’s primary teacher. I facilitated monthly parent meetings and encouraged their participation as classroom volunteers.

Upon moving to Northern New Jersey, I worked as a special education paraprofessional with 4th and 5th-grade students. In this role I found myself helping students overcome barriers to their learning such as fear, stress, or anxiety. Most of my time was spent teaching students social skills and self-awareness necessary for learning and building positive relationships.

I resumed college, completing my Bachelor’s Degree and then a Master’s in counseling from Montclair University.

Before coming to Spectrum 360, I worked as an ABA therapist with preschool-age children and facilitated a weekly social skills group for ages 16 -21. Additionally, I taught study and organizational skills to middle and high school students with ADHD, anxiety, and other issues.

What is your guiding principle when working with students?
Build a relationship based on mutual trust and respect. Work with students’ strengths.

What do you wish all parents would know/understand about their child’s mental/emotional health?

  • Children need time to pause and engage in activities such as music, art, being outdoors or spending time together with others.
  • Reduce screen time and be a presence in your child’s life.
  • Children are learning how to label and manage their emotions.
  • It is not easy to control anger, frustration, or excitement.
  • Children need adults to model coping strategies.
  • Be patient.
  • Talk about feelings / respect your child’s feelings.
  • Clear boundaries/rules /structure give children a sense of security.
  • Mental and emotional well-being is connected to physical health.

What do you most love about what you do?
I love to see students use the techniques which are taught in social skills to manage big emotions. It also fills my heart with joy when students can use emotional vocabulary in order to express their wants and needs.

What are your best tips or suggestions for dealing with stress and/or keeping a healthy emotional outlook?

  • To keep a healthy emotional outlook
  • Think about what you are grateful for, and make a list. Read it daily
  • Spend time in nature
  • Spend time with friends
  • Do something that brings you joy
  • Move – walk – run -skip move as much as possible
  • Be helpful to others.
  • Practice breathing
  • Everything changes.