Meet the Team
Community Transition Academy staff are trained in multiple modalities in the field of special education, our own Community Inclusion Training, and evidence-based practices including the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).
Community Connection Project staff are trained through a specialized lens of adult transition skills for individuals with developmental disabilities, and our specialized Community Inclusion Training, as well as with evidence-based practices including but not limited to ABA as well as person centered planning. All staff are trained in crisis management and have experience with strategies for supporting individuals with significant communication and behavior challenges due to their diagnosis.
Leadership: Community Transition Academy's School Director has been with CTA since 2017 and is a credentialed Education Specialist with several years experience working with students in moderate/severe classrooms and is in process of receiving her B.C.B.A. (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) certification. Our founder has returned with an M.A in Teaching with a certification in Autism as well as a certification in Nonprofit Management. She is acting as the Director for our new adult transition program, Community Connection Project program as well as assisting with CTA Operations and Community Inclusion as well as Outreach and Development.
Our entire CTA Team, for both programs, is trained in the principals of Applied Behavior Analysis by our classroom and clinically-based, experienced Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in cooperation with our Director of Behavior Services. CTA has a very unique Community Inclusion Training program for all staff in both programs which is also offered to the community at large.
Madeline Gelmetti, M.Ed. - School Director & Director of Behavior Services
Tina Waters, M.A., Autism Specialist - CTA/CCP Founder
Stephanie Desrocher, M.A. - Lead Special Educator
Claire Dietrich - Special Educator
Colleen McNeely - Special Educator
Dawn Comer - Finance/ HR Manager
Alex Vespremi, M.A., BCBA - Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Ian Stuhmer - Behavior Specialist
Shannon Braender - Lead Teaching Assistant
Erica Lawson, MA, CCC-SLP - Speech and Language Pathologist
Sara Munsterman, MS, CCC-SLP - Speech and Language Pathologist
Randy Burtanog, OTR/L, CNS - Occupational Therapist
Megan Christian, M.A. - Community Inclusion Intern & ASD Mentor
Board of Directors
President - Adam Kasarda, Ph.D.
Treasurer - Brian Boughan
Secretary - Colm Marmion
Director - Karyn Searcy, M.A., CCC
Director - Diana Mason, M.A., BCBA
Director - Lindsay Hood
Director - Sara M. Kelley, Esq.
Advisory Committee Board Member - Dominic Folglio
CTA School Director - Madeline Gelmetti, M.Ed.
CTA/CCP Founder - Tina Waters, M.A., Autism Specialist