Wings Learning Center: Wing's Team

Karen Kaplan BS/MS - Executive Director -Karen Kaplan has over 30 years of experience in the field of Autism Spectrum Disorders and developmental learning challenges. She possesses a credential in speech and hearing as well as an administrative credential. Her roles as Head of School and Executive Director of schools for students with special needs have given her a wide base of knowledge and experience. Karen works as a private consultant with family resource centers, parents, public and private schools, colleges and universities that support the needs of Autism Spectrum Disorders and similar learning differences. She is the founder of the Autism Lecture Series and The ASD Resource & Exposition at Dominican University in San Rafael, California. She participates on the San Francisco/Marin Autism Taskforce and is the chair of the Autism Housing Committee. She is on the Marin Autism Collaborative Steering Committee and chairs the Educational Sub-committee.

Cara Grant M.S.- OTR - Clinical Director - Cara earned her BS at the University of Wisconsin, and MS in Nutrition and Counseling Health Psychology at Batyr University in Seattle. Her interests are in the social and emotional development of children with autism encompassing the development of social skills to regulatory capacities. Cara's goal is to use her skills as a family therapist helping families find balance and health.

Laxmi Ghale - Education Program Coordinator - Laxmi has been working with special needs children for the past six years. She holds a B.A. in Business Administration and an A.S. degree in Early Childhood Education. Her interests fall in the areas of behavior management and implementation of different communication strategies.

Bethany Rios - Operations Manager - Bethany is fluent in American Sign Language, and has previously worked with deaf special needs children as well as in the classroom of Wings Learning Center. She enjoys watching the students' of Wings thrive and make progress while supporting the operations of the school.

Marigrace Padilla B.A. - Lead Teacher - Marigrace received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from San Diego State University. Prior to working at Wings, she worked with elementary school students with emotional disturbance and various disabilities. She is currently earning her Masters in Special Education and Level 1 credential with moderate/severe emphasis from Notre Dame de Namur University.

Alma Solis B.A. - Lead Teacher - Alma received her Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in Psychology from San Francisco State University. She has prior experience working with elementary through high school aged students with various disabilities. Alma obtained her Level I Education Specialist Teaching Credential through Sacrament State and is currently working on her Level II credential.

Alicia Newell B.A.- Lead Teacher- Alicia specializes in utilizing Applied Behavior Analysis methodologies to address severe problems behaviors, in addition to conducting functional behavior assessments and implementing positive behavior interventions. Alicia has worked in the special education field for the past 10 years and loves helping kids be successful in the least restrictive environment. Alicia’s experience includes working in non-public schools, after school home programs and weekend recreation programs. Alicia received a B.A in Sociology from Sonoma State and a level two teaching credential from Sacramento State.

Pei-Chi (Angie) Kuo M.S.- Lead Teacher - Angie received her Masters in Education from Western Oregon University, and a Bachelors in Social Work from Chinese Culture University. She left her home-land to pursue higher education opportunities that would support her passion for teaching and learning about different cultures.

Deepa Thomas M.A. - Speech & Language Pathologist - Deepa earned her Bachelors and Masters in Speech and Language Pathology at Manipal Academy Of Higher Education, India. She has eight years of experience working as school based SLP in the middle east and in the United States. In this role she was able to work with children of all ages and backgrounds. She has taken a particular interest in the social communication and usage of AAC Devices in children with autism.

Francine DeMarco M.A. - Speech & Language Pathologist- Francine is a Southern California native who earned a bachelor's degree from Whittier College in Child Development with a minor in Psychology. She earned her Master's of Science in Speech Language Pathology at University of the Pacific in 2009. She hold's a California State Credential in Speech and Language, a California State Speech Language Pathology License, and a Certificate of Clinical Competency. She comes from working in Oakland, California where she worked with students from preschool to high school with various ability levels. Before entering the speech world, Francine worked in the non-profit world and in Student affairs at a university in Southern California.

Lindsay Driemeyer OTR- Occupational Therapist - Lindsay got her bachelor's in neuroscience from William and Mary in 2005. She considered a career in research, but decided she would rather spend her career working with children with special needs after volunteering at a preschool for children with developmental disabilities. After two years as a behavior therapist for children with autism, she decided that occupational therapy was a better fit for her career goals. She completed her M.A. in occupational therapy from University of Southern California in 2009. In her spare time, she enjoys playing in a local flute choir, hiking, and playing Rhythm Heaven on Nintendo DS.

Jackie Pambid B.A.- Speech Language Pathology Assistant -Jackie received her Bachelor's of Arts in Communicative Disorders with an emphasis in Speech and Language Pathology from San Francisco State University. She also currently works as a caregiver for toddlers and preschoolers in the Bay Area. Jackie plans to pursue a graduate degree in Speech and Language Pathology.

Beth Robinson B.A.- Music Therapist -Beth is a board certified music therapist who has been working with children with special needs for over ten years and has had a private practice in the Bay Area for five years. She graduated from the University of Kansas City, Missouri Conservatory.

Ginny Ritchey Ph. D.— Child Psychologist Pamela Wolfberg Ph.D. - Creator of Integrated Play Groups