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Front Office Support

I believe everyday begins with a smile, laughter and a caring nature. That is most definitely true at the Children’s Center for Therapy. I started working at the Children’s Center as the Front Desk Office Assistant since September 2011. I’ve enjoyed every moment of it. Though Tuesday’s are my favorite day because Dayrin cooks delicious food! I have had the greatest honor of getting acquainted with the staff (who have become my family), parents, kiddo’s, and anyone affiliated with the Children’s Center. Everyday has been a new learning experience and I’m very grateful for the wonderful opportunity here.

I am currently at Kirkwood Community College to pursue Business Administration / Management. I’m from a large family and love it! In my spare time, I love to spend time with family, friends, my fiance and furbaby Baxter Snuggles The Third. He’s quite a hand full.

Where are you originally from?

West Liberty, IA

What is your favorite food?

I love all sorts of foods!

What is your favorite Animal?

Lochness Monster

If you could be any cartoon character, what would it be and why?

Tough one… Probably Garfield the Cat. Who wouldn’t want to stay home all day and eat lasagna?

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Historian / archaeology

What is your favorite childhood memory?

Times w/ my Dad

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Front Office Support

I started working at Children’s Center for Therapy in October of 2011. Interacting with the children, therapists, and other support staff members makes it a fun and educational work experience. I am origionally from Arlington Heights, Illinois, a suburb right outside of Chicago. I came to the University of Iowa to study Speech pathology and to start working. I am so thankful that the Children’s Center is a part of my experience here in Iowa and I couldn’t ask to be surrounded by better people!

Where are you originally from?

I am originally from Algonquin, Illinois

What is your favorite food?

My favorite food would have to be spaghetti and meatballs. (The Italian side of me)

What is your favorite Animal?

My favorite animal is a dog.

If you could be any cartoon character, what would it be and why?

Cinderella because everything workouts in the end.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I would love to be a Speech Pathologist!

What is your favorite childhood memory?

My favorite childhood memory is my family’s yearly trip to Disney World. It never got old!

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Social Skills

I am currently a junior at the University of Iowa majoring in Speech and Hearing Science. My dream is to work with both Deaf and hearing children in my future. I am currently learning ASL and hope to be fluent by the time I receive my Bachelors degree. In my free time I love to read, play games, run, swim and experience new things. I am new to the Children’s Center and look forward to meeting all the kiddo’s!

Where are you originally from?

Cedar Rapids, IA

What is your favorite food?

Pineapple Chicken Flatbread pizza

What is your favorite Animal?

Elephant

If you could be any cartoon character, what would it be and why?

Dora so I could explore the world and be bilingual!

What do you want to be when you grow up?

A Speech Language Pathologist

What is your favorite childhood memory?

Going on vacations with my family. We are very adventurous and would go to beautiful locations where we could climb, hike and see beautiful waters!

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Social Skills Assistant and After School Program

I currently work at the Children’s Center as a Social Skills Assistant for the After School Program- specifically designed for kids with Asperger’s and high-functioning Autism. I initially came to the Center because it seemed like a fantastic resource for the community, and so far I am absolutely loving it here!

After growing up in Johnston, Iowa with my parents, Scott and Jana, and my two younger brothers, Nate and Ben, I graduated from the University of Iowa in the spring of 2011with a degree in Psychology and minors in both American Sign Language and Counseling. I love to write, work on puzzles, and travel around the country watching my brothers play hockey (when time permits, of course)! In the future I hope to head to grad school and continue working with kids with Autism!

Where are you originally from?

Johnston, Iowa

What is your favorite food?

Carrots

What is your favorite Animal?

Penguins

If you could be any cartoon character, what would it be and why?

Belle from Beauty and the Beast. She loves books just like me

What do you want to be when you grow up?>

A Psychologist for kids

What is your favorite childhood memory?

My first day of kindergarten. I lost my two front teeth, got to ride a bus for the first time and I have always loved school. I couldn’t sleep the night before, it was like Christmas eve

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Director of Non-profit Programs

I began working at the CCT in September of 2010 and am currently the head of Our Kids, the non-profit sister organization of the Children’s Center for Therapy. I have previous experience in business
administration and have worked in many different industries ranging from healthcare to education and defense.

I am married and have two children in elementary school, and I love to travel, especially to places where I can use my Spanish! I love working at the Center and having the privilege of helping, albeit in the background, families to find the services they need.

Where are you originally from?

Cleveland, Ohio

What is your favorite Animal?

Dogs

If you could be any cartoon character, what would it be and why?

Wonder Woman – She can fly

What do you want to be when you grow up?

A Doctor

What is your favorite childhood memory?

Going to the pool and hanging out all day with friends and family

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Social Worker

I am originally from Camanche, Iowa, have two amazing sons, and am an avid biker. I enjoy the outdoors and love being active, listening to live music, singing (our A cappella group recently folded?), and spending time with friends and family.

After completing a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Northern Iowa and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Iowa, I’ve worked as a clinical social worker at the U of I Children’s Hospital for 21 ½ years. At U of I Children’s I developed a therapy practice called Theraplay: a therapist directed form of play therapy for children with emotional and behavioral issues. I served as a Theraplay therapist and supervisor of our multidisciplinary team to include OT, Psychology, Social Work, Nursing and Recreation Therapy for 12 years.

I joined the CCT team in March 2010 to begin offering Theraplay in the Iowa City community. It has been a very rewarding experience for me and I have enjoyed watching our program expand. I also spend my free time working as a behavioral health officer for the Iowa National Guard. It has been an inspiring and humbling experience to be able to provide service to those who have so bravely served our country.

Where are you originally from?

Camanche, Iowa

What is your favorite food?

Pizza

What is your favorite Animal?

Monkey

If you could be any cartoon character, what would it be and why?

Elmer Fudd – I had a puppet/doll that when you pulled the string he would laugh saying “be vewy vewy quiet, I’m hunting wabbits.” He was cooler than Bugs Bunny.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Ballerina

What is your favorite childhood memory?

Halloween Hay Rack rides in my dad’s cornfield

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Speech-Language Pathologist

I originally chose to work in Speech Pathology because I could not imagine a more rewarding, challenging, and enjoyable career. Every day is different and you never know what to expect! After several very fulfilling grad school experiences, I knew I wanted to work with the pediatric population. I have a passion for working with and educating children and their families to help them overcome challenges. I’ve been practicing as a Speech Pathologist for about a year and a half now, and I have several special interest areas including hearing impairment/cochlear implants, language delays, and phonological disorders.

I grew up in small-town Iowa- just southeast of Iowa City, and I completed both my undergraduate and graduate work at the University of Iowa. Shortly after graduation I moved to Des Moines, where I practiced Speech Language Pathology ChildServe in Johnston, Iowa. I have recently moved back to Iowa City and am very excited about it!

In my free time I enjoy running, yoga, watching/playing sports, reading, spending time with family and friends, and hanging out with my Labradoodle!

Where are you originally from?

Keota, Iowa

What is your favorite food?

Sushi and Cupcakes

What is your favorite Animal?

Owl

If you could be any cartoon character, what would it be and why?

Dora the Explorer because every child could love me and I get to live in a tree house with a monkey that wears shoes.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

A real housewife of Johnson County or a Wizard

What is your favorite childhood memory?

Running around on the farm and also feeding my pet goat, cow, horse and dog.

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After School Program

I was born and raised in a small village in Western Kenya called Kakamega. I then moved to the US for grad school and have been here for 5 years. My wife works for the U of I Hospitals and Clinics and we have a soon-to-be 3 year old son.

After graduating from the University of Nairobi, I worked for the UN doing HIV/AIDS testing and counseling, nutrition and drug addiction therapies. I enjoy the field of social work and when an opportunity to work with CCT presented itself, I jumped on it! Every child I see coming in with a smile makes my job fulfilling, and the people I work with at CCT are awesome beyond measure.

One fun fact about me has to do with my name. Back in my village, we name children based on what’s happening when they’re born. My mother gave birth to me while she was preparing dinner and guess what! My middle name (Andegah) means cooking! I don’t use it us much, but won’t ever mind being called chief chef. I’m actually a very good cook!

Where are you originally from?

Kenya

What is your favorite food?

Ugali and Chapati

What is your favorite Animal?

Hyena and Coyote

If you could be any cartoon character, what would it be and why?

Spongebob Squarepants

What do you want to be when you grow up?

A fundraiser for Charities in Africa

What is your favorite childhood memory?

Getting my very first pair of shoes. This made me feel like a teacher because back in my village students were not allowed to wear shoes.

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Occupational Therapist

Helping a child live his life to its fullest is one of my greatest passions. I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to fulfill that passion at the Children’s Center, and I truly love the work that I get to do as a CCT occupational therapist!

I started providing occupational therapy to children in the Iowa City area in September of 2010. In 2007 I graduated with a degree in Exercise Science from Minnesota State University, Mankato and then went on to complete my Master’s of Occupational Therapy at the University of Minnesota in 2010. Since making the move to Iowa and beginning my work at CCT, I have been certified in Therapeutic Listening, Astronaut Training, and attended a Building Blocks for Sensory Integration conference.

When I’m not at the clinic treating your children, I’m at home with mine! I also enjoy spending time with my family, reading, and being outside.

Where are you originally from?

New Richland, MN

What is your favorite food?

Ice Cream

What is your favorite Animal?

Giraffe

If you could be any cartoon character, what would it be and why?

Kermit the frog

What do you want to be when you grow up?

A baton twirler

What is your favorite childhood memory?

Boating with family and friends