Meet Our Team

Read Shelley's Bio

Shelley Weaver has been working as a Speech and Language Pathologist for nearly a decade. A graduate of Emerson College, Shelley has worked in a range of educational environments from Pre-School to Middle School. Currently, Shelley is the supervisor of Upper School Speech and Language at the Keswell School for students on the autism spectrum. When conducting therapy, Shelley believes in building strong relationships with students and their families. Building these relationships allows Shelley to create meaningful, practical, and engaging therapy based on students’ individual interests and strengths.

Read Michelle's Bio

Michelle Lubetzki received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Delaware and her graduate degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Hunter College. She is level one PROMPT trained. Her professional experiences include a preschool for children on the autism spectrum, a variety of sensory gyms for children ages 2-9, leading social groups to facilitate pragmatic language skill development, and providing home and clinic-based early intervention sessions. For the past two years, Michelle has provided several young adults on the autism spectrum with therapy focused on transitional services and language skills to foster students’ ability to independently participate in society. Additionally, Michelle is completing her Juris Doctorate at New York Law School. Michelle intends to continue her work as a speech pathologist and practice special education law.

Read Elizabeth's Bio

Elizabeth Knapp is a New York State certified speech and language pathologist. She gained her M.S.Ed. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the College of Saint Rose in 2017 and has since been working in the school and home settings, with students from preschool to fourth grade. She has treated students with a range of disorders and delays, and has become especially passionate about her work with children with delays in language and cognition. Elizabeth uses an individualized approach that is tailored to the child's needs and interests. She prioritizes relevance of speech/language treatment to the child's participation in daily life, and facilitates generalization of newly acquired skills across home, school, and play. Elizabeth is always eager to apply her writing background and knowledge to therapy sessions, as a way to encourage students through exposure to a variety of literature

Read Deborah's Bio

From podcasting, to teaching college courses, to creating her own educational materials, there isn’t a stone in the world of Speech Pathology that Deborah Brooks has left unturned. She provides speech therapy to individuals of all ages and levels of need throughout NYC. Deborah is the author and illustrator of the speech therapy coloring book series, Color in Speech. She earned her B.A. in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2010 and M.A. in Speech Language Pathology in 2012, both from St. John’s University in Queens. Six years later, Deborah returned to St. John's as an adjunct professor. Additionally, she works at an elementary school for children with special needs in Brooklyn and supervises clinical fellows pursuing licensure in the field of Speech Language Pathology. When she's not doing therapy, Deborah and co host Maria Kotsonis have a weekly Speech Therapy podcast on iTunes and Spotify called SLPs Wine and Cheese. If you’d like to see Deborah’s sessions in action, she posts daily videos to her Instagram account @deborahbrooksslp. Deborah is passionate about all things SPEECH and she’s thrilled to provide speech and language services all throughout Brooklyn.

Read Nicole's Bio

Nicole Zenn holds a B.A. in Communication Sciences & Disorders from the University of Pittsburgh and an M.S. in Speech and Language Pathology from Seton Hall University. Nicole has worked with special needs children for over 10 years in a variety of settings including early intervention (home- and clinic-based), private practice, and public schools. Nicole has extensive experience providing speech and language therapy to children from birth through high school-age and specializes in treating children with hearing loss and autism spectrum disorders. She has received training in ABA therapy, social thinking curriculum, and PROMPT level 1. Nicole loves working with children and prioritizes each child’s needs and interests in order to utilize an individualized approach to treatment.

Read Bridget's Bio

Bridget McGlone graduated from Syracuse University with a dual bachelors degree in Communication Sciences/Disorders and Music, She earned her M.S. in Speech and Language Disabilities from SUNY New Paltz. Bridget has experience providing speech and language therapy to early childhood and preschool aged children in schools and home settings. Her most recent work has been with children with high support communication needs in self-contained and inclusive settings, at elementary and middle school level. She is passionate about providing therapy that caters to children’s individual interests, as well as collaborating with parents and teachers to best support each child’s needs.

Bridget is a New York State certified speech and language pathologist.

Read Keely's Bio

Keely Broderick received her Bachelor of Science from Long Island University Post in 2010 and her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from UNC Chapel Hill in 2012. She wrote her undergraduate thesis in Autism spectrum disorders, and worked as a research assistant at UNC Chapel Hill during graduate school on the development of a social engagement measure for preschoolers with autism. Her professional experience includes currently working with bilingual children at a preschool for children with autism and other disabilities, providing home-based intervention for children and adults, and clinic-based services for children ages 2-17. Additionally, Keely has extensive experience working with adults in a subacute rehabilitation setting. She received a passing grade on the Bilingual Education Assessment (BEA-Spanish) and is currently in the process of completing coursework at Columbia University to obtain her Bilingual Extension Certificate. Her goal is to provide effective speech and language therapy services for both Spanish-speaking English Language Learners and monolingual children. Additionally, Keely has experience utilizing a variety of low-tech and high-tech augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices and approaches. Keely recognizes the importance of utilizing a holistic and individualized therapy approach to address the individual needs of all individuals she works with.

Read Samantha's Bio

Samantha Pollak earned her undergraduate degree in Communication Science & Disorders and Psychology from Queen’s College, and a graduate degree in Communication Science & Disorders at New York University. Samantha has worked with pediatric clients in group and individualized sessions on articulation, expressive and receptive language, cognition, fluency and social pragmatics. She currently works at the Sterling School providing speech services for students with dyslexia and language based learning difficulties. Samantha loves incorporating children’s interests and play into her therapy sessions to create an engaging and collaborative learning environment that focuses on children’s individual needs. She currently lives in Brooklyn and hopes to one day have a fur baby but is currently settling for a pair of picky eater goldfishes.

Read Kathryn's Bio

Kathryn Mendoza earned her B.A in Speech, Language, Hearing, and Sciences from San Diego State University and her M.S in Speech Language Pathology from Sacred Heart University. Kathryn has worked in out-patient clinics, long term in-patient clinics, public schools and private schools. She has experience working with traumatic brain injuries, Autism Spectrum Disorders, intellectual disabilities, language delays, language disorders and much more! Kathryn has helped clients with executive functioning, expressive and receptive language, social skills, speech sound production, stuttering, and Augmentative Alternative Communication. She has received training in ABA therapy, PROMPT level 1, and social emotional learning strategies. Kathryn loves working with children and adults by providing meaningful therapeutic services through client-driven interests. She is a big fan of movement, books, sensory-based activities, and having fun!

Read Bethany's Bio

Bethany Rimpila received her B.S. in Speech Language Hearing Sciences and an M.S. in Speech Language Pathology from Minnesota State University Moorhead. She has worked with students ranging in age from birth to middle school, and with a wide range of communication disorders and delays. She has especially enjoyed working with nonverbal or minimally verbal students, implementing augmentative and alternative communication systems. As a therapist, Bethany prioritizes collaboration with families, helping students to generalize their newly acquired skills in their home environment, as well as the interests of her students in order to have engaging, meaningful sessions.

Read Gabby's Bio

Gabby Fernandes is a New York State and Connecticut State certified speech and language pathologist. She earned both her bachelors and masters degree from Sacred Heart University while working in a variety of settings such as, acute care, private practice, sensory clinics and schools. Gabby has worked with children in educational and child-care settings for over 10 years in both public and private schools. She has experience working with autism, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, oppositional defiance disorder, apraxia, ADHD, stuttering and much more. Gabby loves to make speech fun and functional! She takes the child’s lead and allows play to become synonymous with learning, developing relationship-based learning strategies while targeting the students speech and language goals. As a therapist, Gabby prioritizes collaboration with others and generalizing newly acquired skills. Gabby loves to play outdoors, tie dye and read.

Read Jordan's Bio

Jordan Siegel, MS, CCC-SLP is a licensed speech-language pathologist and clinical supervisor. He completed his post-baccalaureate certificate in Communication Disorders from SUNY, New Paltz after having received a BFA in Drama from Syracuse University before completing his Master's degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Portland State University. His clinical work currently focuses on delivering high-quality, trauma-informed, client-centered assessment and intervention to individuals across the lifespan, but focuses on people who stutter. Jordan’s clinical and experimental research examines best practices for assessment via telepractice for individuals who stutter; he has been published in the Journal of Fluency Disorders, Journal of Telemedicine and e-Health, and the American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology. Additionally, he serves on adjunct faculty for Portland State University's Speech & Hearing Sciences department. He currently lives in Philadelphia with his husband, Dan, and dog, Gemma.

Read Julia's Bio

Julia Dineen, a life-long Brooklynite, received her Bachelor of Science in Speech and Early Childhood Education from St. Joseph's College, and her Master of Science in Speech and Language Pathology and Advanced Certificate Post Master's of Autism Spectrum Disorders from Brooklyn College. Julia currently works in elementary education for students with disabilities, and has worked with children with autism, Down syndrome, emotional disturbance, executive functioning, fluency, and articulation disorders, gestalt language processing (echolalia), and apraxia. Julia's approach is to build strong connections to her students, and tailor therapy toward their interests. Her goal with each student is to foster stronger speech and communication, and to promote engagement in speech sessions and generalization of speech skills outside of therapy. Julia lives in Park Slope with her two Westies, Rosie and Goose, and is an active member of her community, serving on an educational board for a local high school, and volunteering with a local dance school. Outside of speech therapy, Julia is an avid theatergoer and traveler.

Read Ann-Alisa's Bio

Ann-Alisa Soler is a graduate of Long Island University with a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Health Sciences. She began her career as an occupational therapist working with early intervention cases, and her greatest passion is working in pediatric OT! Ann-Alisa has worked in almost every setting from medical to educational. Currently she is a senior occupational therapist in the New York City Department of Education’s specialized District 75.

Read Ariel's Bio

Ariel Wenitsky graduated from Rutgers University in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and early education. She began her career in education at The Keswell School for children with Autism, as an Applied Behavior Analysis Therapist. In 2018 Ariel stepped out of the classroom, and into a new role as Executive Assistant to the Director at The Sterling School for children with dyslexia, reading difficulties, and language based learning impairment.

She joined the NY Speech Language & Learning team in 2020 working behind the scenes - on matters such as accounting, invoicing, and billing. She is so happy to be a part of the team!

Ariel loves kids, dogs, plants, exercise and cooking!