Janice
Coughlin M.S.,Ed., started as a graduate from Syracuse University with a
degree in Communications and a minor in French. She has been with Peer Projects
- Therapy from the Heart since 2008. While working at Mullen and Fulgent New
Media Group as an Interactive Media Director, she continued to work with
children as a mentor, a tutor and substitute teacher. In 2005, Janice left her
agency work to start working as a SPED TA in the Hamilton-Wenham School district
and fell in love with the concept of helping to create, develop and aid children
on the spectrum. She spent several years there while doing home based ABA
services support for a private company as well as supporting students in an intensive
classroom program in the Hamilton-Wenham School District. She gained much
knowledge from both the children as well as the teachers. In August 2009,
Janice started working at the Children’s Center for Communication/Beverly School
for the Deaf as a Para-Professional. Janice was excited and challenged by the
need for students to access academics and wanted to create a differentiated
environment for learning for all students. Janice received her Masters of Education
in Assistive Technology from Simmons College and is now the AT Specialist at CCC/BSD. Her motivation
to challenge herself is supported by the excitement each student has to utilize
communication to the best of their ability; verbally, gesturally, with an AAC
device or ASL. She also loves her two kids, Ben and Abbey and their dog Willie.
Lauren Gibbs B.A. is a graduate of Salem State University with a degree in Elementary Education and Psychology, and has been with Peer Projects - Therapy from the Heart since 2011. She has recently returned to school to earn her Masters as a Reading Specialist through Gordon College. Lauren started her career with children about 10 years ago as a Preschool Lead Teacher at Majestic Harbor Community School in Gloucester while working towards her B.A. She has been a substitute teacher in all elementary grades for Gloucester and Beverly public schools. Lauren also lived in Florida for a short period of time where she worked as a substitute teacher in all elementary and middle schools in Orlando. Lauren has worked as a Head Start teacher at Pathways for Children in Gloucester, as a third grade teacher at St. Ann School, also in Gloucester, and is currently a first grade teacher at Sacred Heart School in Lynn. She was introduced to Peer Projects through a training she attended while working at Pathways. She is very excited and eager to work with the children, their families, and the Peer Projects - Therapy from the Heart team.
Marlena Simoes, M.Ed. has worked with children with diverse needs for over 10 years, and has been with Peer Projects - Therapy from the Heart since 2010. Currently Marlena works as an Inclusion Specialist in a public school. She is passionate about her job of meeting children’s individual needs and supporting them both socially and academically in the mainstream environment. Marlena feels strongly that all children want to succeed and can succeed with the right supports in place. She has earned her Master’s Degree from Endicott College with a focus on Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis. She feels a combined approach is the best approach when working with children with diverse needs. She feels fortunate to work with such a talented group at Peer Projects Therapy from the Heart. She is continuously learning new things here, not only from the staff but also from the children!