Whooter struggles with the poster called reality and also with reality itself. How rich.
Sorry DJ, you just need to be patient. Reality said he can confirm it and maybe he will. We just need to wait and see. Jill Ryan seems to think that they have been without a special ed teacher for a year or so. So someone is not telling the truth.
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Jill Ryan states that this was the original post. Jill Ryan also states that "CURRENTLY, THERE IS NO ONE ON THE ACADEMIA STAFF THAT IS A CERITFIED SPECIAL NEEDS TEACHER."
Ridge Creek Therapeutic Boarding School
Faculty
Academics Anna D. Jones, M.Ed.
Jennifer Jones
Timothy Lawson, M.Ed.
Donald Mull
Sam Tanner
Foy Tootle
Admissions
Paige LeFevre-Mitts
J. Scott Smith
Therapeutic Counselors
Cheryl Ballow
Len Buccellato
Kason Elkins
Clay Erickson
Chris Grimwood
Recreation/Adventure
Josh Cannon
Bill Ingram
Ryan King
Nikki Line
Stephanie McCullum R.E.C.
Blake Nash
Shaun Pelley QP, WFR
Jamie Shankles, M.Ed.
Karen Wieloch R.E.C.
Cheryl Ballow
Counselor
Cheryl has spent nearly 20 years addressing the therapeutic needs of at-risk youth and their parents. She holds a B.S. in Psychology from the University of West Florida and an M.S. in Counseling and Psychology from Troy State University. In addition to her work, Cheryl enjoys hiking, camping, photography, painting, and crats.
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Len Buccellato
Founder
Dr. Len Buccellato has been a practicing Psychologist since 1975. He earned a B.S. in Psychology from Fordham University, a M.A. in Educational Psychology from the University of Georgia, and a PhD. in Counseling and Psychological Services from Georgia State University, where he served as an Assistant Professor of Psychology from 1971-1975. In 1976 he founded St Francis School in Atlanta, Georgia. In 1975, Dr. Buccellato began his private practice specializing in educational evaluation, diagnosis, and placement of children and adolescents. Through this specialization, he became aware of the scarcity of treatment options available to adolescents struggling with the stress of modern urban and suburban life, which many times manifests in behavior and academic problems. From this awareness and genuine concern, the dream of Ridge Creek School was born. Dr. Buccellato understood that a new idea and a new direction were needed to reach those troubled children currently falling to the wayside, due to the unavailability of treatment options. True to this dream, Dr. Buccellato has created a truly unique school for at-risk teenagers, combining the beneficial, grounding, and foundation-building elements of an intense therapeutic program with a strong and demanding college-prep academic curriculum.
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Josh Cannon
Athletic Director
Josh has been working with at-risk youth since 2006 and has been a Adventure First Responder since 2007. He earned a B.A. in Public Relations and Marketing at Auburn University where he participated in many sports. While in college, he worked for Storybook Farms, an equine assisted program serving youth who are challenged with life-threatening illnesses, disabilities, mental and/or emotional trauma, and grief. In addition he was instrumental in creating a sports curriculum at a program for at-risk youth in North Carolina. In his spare time, Josh enjoys traveling, and attending sporting events and concerts.
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Clay Erickson MA
Director of Addiction Services
Clay earned a B.S. in Biology and Chemistry at Pacific Lutheran University, an M.D. at the University of Washington, and an M.A. in Psychology at Antioch University. He has specialized in addictions recovery for 15 years, 10 of which he has spent here at RCS, helping students struggling with these issues. In his free time, Clay enjoys hiking, tennis, writing, and spending time with his daughter.
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Kason Elkins
Counselor
Kason earned a B.S. in Sociology and a M.S. in counseling from North Georgia College and State University. She has extensive experience in both group and individual counseling of young people. She enjoys movies, reading, writing, sports, and cooking.
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Chris Grimwood
Executive Director
Chris is a Canadian citizen who was schooled at the University of Western Ontario, in London Ontario Canada. He has been employed in the social services field since 1998, where he got his start working with students coping with learning and developmental disabilities. Prior to joining the Ridge Creek team in 2006 as a Peer Group Counselor Chris was the Program Administrator of a long term Outdoor Therapeutic Program. In addition to breeding Siberian Huskies and collecting automobiles, Chris enjoys camping, skiing, and other outdoor activities.
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Bill Ingram
Lead Adventure Instructor
Bill has been involved in Adventure adventure for over twenty-five years. A native of lowland swamps of South Georgia, he grew up hunting and fishing on the outskirts of the Okefenokee Swamp. Bill attended North Georgia College & State University, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Recreation. His background includes eight years in the Army National Guard as a combat medic, mountaineering instructor, EMT, Adventure first responder, land navigation and orienteering instructor, white water guide, survival instructor, and challenge course facilitator. Bill is certified as an Alpine Tower Facilitator, Red Cross Adventure First Aid Instructor, Leave no Trace Instructor, TACT-2 Service Provider, and Red Cross Lifeguard. When he is not in the woods with our students, Bill enjoys spending time with his wife and children and gardening.
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Anna D. Jones, M.Ed.
Academics
B.S. in Psychology - University of Mississippi, 1992 M.Ed. in School Counseling - Middle Tennessee State University, 1997
Worked for Ridge Creek School since August 2000. I have worked as a Peer Group Counselor, individual counselor, school communications, consultant communications, assistant and director of academics.
Previous to current work - interim counselor for Cobb County Elementary and High Schools.
Hobbies - mother of two, camping, hiking, backpacking, tennis, exercise, just recently - shooting at the range and indoor skydiving.
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Timothy Lawson, M.Ed.
Academics
Born and raised in the foothills of the north Georgia Mountains, Tim earned a B.A. in History with a minor in English and a Masters of History Education with Gifted Certification at North Georgia College & State University. In addition, he holds state certification in Social Studies for grades 6-12. Tim is a true history buff who enjoys sharing his passion for history and civics with his students.
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Nikki Line
Adventure
B.S. North GA College and State Univ.
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Stephanie McCullum
R.E.C. Staff
Karen is currently working toward a B.S and Psychology from North Georgia College and State University. After graduation, she plans to pursue her Master?s in Therapeutic Recreation and Counseling. In her spare time, Karen enjoys dancing and all outdoor activities.
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Blake Nash
Recreation
Blake has been involved with outdoor education for several years. A native to Hiawassee, Georgia he enjoys spending time outside; camping, hunting, and fishing. Blake's background includes wilderness therapy training, First Responder Certification, TACT- 2 service provider, and CPR certification. Blake has years of experience working with students coaching basketball and volunteering at local recreation facilities. In Blake's spare time he enjoys spending time with family and friends.
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Shaun Pelley QP, WFR
Assistant Director of Recreation & Adventure Education
Shaun received a B.S in Environmental Science from Bowling Green State University in 2004. He has several years experience working as a Qualified Professional at an outdoor therapeutic Adventure program in North Carolina, where he served as a resident counselor and supervisor. In addition, Shaun has been a certified Adventure First Responder for three years.
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Jamie Shankles, M.Ed.
Wilderness Program Administrator
BA in Psychology, Truett McConnell College/University of West Georgia
M.Ed. with an emphasis in Counseling Psychology, Pi Gamma Mu
Practitioner Certification Level 2 with Specialty Elements, Project Adventure
Wilderness First Responder
Having begun my career with the Georgia State Department of Juvenile Justice, I have held various State of Georgia positions such as court service worker, behavior specialist, sr., social services provider and coordinator, and program director. I've been involved with the field of Adventure Therapy for 20+ years to include being the founder and director of a district wide adventure based counseling program called Niyélo that served both youth and youth development leaders. I have served on the Southeast Regional board for the Association of Experiential Education as well as chaired the AEE Therapeutic Adventure Professional Group I am a group facilitator, trainer, therapist and parent who is internally motivated and driven by hope, faith, and love. I am passionate about my work and believe in people - intrigued with that thing that distinguishes us from other living things: creativity and the ability to choose.
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J. Scott Smith
Director of Admissions
Scott has a B.S. in Sociology, as well as an M.S. in Counseling from North Georgia College and State University. Scott has many years of field service as well as extensive experience in addictions counseling and recovery. Scott enjoys spending time with his wife and his daughter, as well as archeology, cooking, sports, and travel.
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Walter Sumpter
Recreation
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Sam Tanner
Academics-Math
Sam holds a B.S. in Business Administration earned at North Georgia College & State University, as well as a M.Ed in Middle Grades Education from the University of West Georgia. Sam has been teaching and working with at-risk youth for over 10 years and served as a math teacher in the Cobb County school system from 1992-2000. He is the proud married father of 2 and a doting granddad of 6. In his spare time, Sam enjoys supporting local sports teams, reading, gardening, playing chess and playing with his dogs.
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Foy Tootle
Academics-English Teacher/Lead Teacher
Foy is a Certified Ga. Educator holding a degree in English with a literature concentration from Armstrong Atlantic State University. In addition, he has special training in adolescent growth and development. Foy has worked with at-risk youth for 5 years and has worked in theatre with children of all ages for 15 years. He is the co-founder and artistic director the Green Mountain Theatre Company, based in Dahlonega. When he isn't teaching or directing plays, Foy and his family love to hike, canoe, and camp.
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Karen Wieloch
R.E.C. Staff
Karen is currently working toward a B.S and Psychology from North Georgia College & State University. After graduation, she plans to pursue her Master's in Therapeutic Recreation and Counseling. In her spare time, Karen enjoys dancing and all outdoor activities.
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Ridge Creek School
830 Hidden Lake Rd.Hidden Lake Rd.
Dahlonega, GA 30533 Our Phone Numbers
800-394-0640
706-864-4730
Academics Admissions Campus Life Contact Us Counseling Home Parents Involvement Sports
2010 © Ridge Creek School
http://http://www.ridgecreekschool.com/faculty-members.htm
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Re: Ridge Creek School - Trouble Retaining Professional Staf
by Jill Ryan » 11 Jan 2011, 19:29
CURRENT STAFF LISTING BY RIDGE CREEK(MAY NOT HAVE BEEN UP-DATED) HIGHLIGHTED STAFF HAVE BEEN THERE FOR YEARS
Ridge Creek Therapeutic Boarding School
Faculty
Academics
Anna D. Jones, M.Ed.
Jennifer Jones
Timothy Lawson, M.Ed.
Donald Mull
Sam Tanner
Foy Tootle
Admissions
Paige LeFevre-Mitts
J. Scott Smith ??
Therapeutic Counselors
Cheryl Ballow
Len Buccellato
Kason Elkins
Clay Erickson
Chris Grimwood
Recreation/Adventure
Josh Cannon
Bill Ingram
Ryan King
Nikki Line
Stephanie McCullum R.E.C.
Blake Nash
Shaun Pelley QP, WFR
Jamie Shankles, M.Ed.
Karen Wieloch R.E.C.
http://http://www.ridgecreekschool.com/faculty-members.htmJill Ryan
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