who is reaching new heights?
leadership
Amanda Sandstrom is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and the Director of ABA at Reaching New Heights. Her love for ABA started when she was 14 years old working as a behavior technician and has only grown as she has progressed further in the field. After graduating from Bowling Green State University's Inclusive Early Childhood Education program, she moved to Nashville,Tennessee for graduate school at Vanderbilt University. Amanda specializes in the assessment and treatment of severe challenging behavior, and her graduate research focus was on long-term client outcomes. She loves the science of ABA and the problem-solving process of understanding behaviors and how to shape them. Amanda has worked as a BCBA in homes, clinics, and schools with children ranging from 3 to 15 years old. She is a passionate advocate for her clients and their families, and believes the foundation of highly effective ABA is the relationships we build with our clients. Outside of work, Amanda loves baking, gardening, and spending time with her family and her dogs, Gerry and Zoey. She is so excited to be joining the Reaching New Heights team and to continue the impactful work they have accomplished.
Jen Craig is the Director of Clinic Operations at Reaching New Heights. She is also an incredible RBT! Jen and Donna were co-workers in Solon City Schools and Donna knew she wanted her to be part of this new team. She has over 19 years of experience working with children, in grades K-12, including those with multiple disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Jen was instrumental in facilitating social skills and language groups where she used behavioral management skills and tools including visual schedules, token economies, and augmentative communication devices. Jen worked with a multi-disciplinary team that included a BCBA, Intervention Specialist, School Psychologist, Speech Language Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, and Physical Therapist. Jen lights up when she sees a child succeed using the tools and strategies she has provided, and it is her passion to be able to help them reach their highest potential. When not at work, she can usually be found exploring new restaurants, having game night with family, or exploring the lakeside by kayak or foot. She also enjoys salsa dancing and cuddles with her cat, Jasper.
Kara Miller is the Assistant ABA Director at Reaching New Heights. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Communication Disorders at Baldwin Wallace University. After graduation, Kara worked for Akron Community Learning Centers and the Monarch Center for Autism as an associate teacher. Kara quickly learned she had a passion for making a difference in the field of special needs, specifically autism and behavior management.
Every day, Kara comes to work with a positive and enthusiastic attitude. When she is not at work, Kara enjoys playing volleyball, exploring local restaurants, and traveling to new places (mostly the beach!).
Every day, Kara comes to work with a positive and enthusiastic attitude. When she is not at work, Kara enjoys playing volleyball, exploring local restaurants, and traveling to new places (mostly the beach!).
Board certified Behavior Analysts
Tatum Grover is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) at Reaching New Heights. She is dedicated to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through compassionate, child-centered care. Tatum earned her Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience from the University of Mount Union, followed by a Master's degree in Social and Behavioral Public Health and a Postgraduate Certificate in Behavior Intervention from Kent State University. With experience across home, clinic, and school settings, Tatum has worked with individuals ages 2 to 64, focusing on creating supportive environments that foster growth, independence, and dignity. She is passionate about advocating for individuals with autism and ensuring their voices and needs are at the center of every plan of care.
Outside of her professional work, Tatum enjoys hiking and traveling with her husband, Josh, reading, cooking, and spending time with their three cats.
Outside of her professional work, Tatum enjoys hiking and traveling with her husband, Josh, reading, cooking, and spending time with their three cats.
Laina Matuch is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and the former Director of ABA at Reaching New Heights. Laina received her Bachelor’s degree in education from Ohio University and Master’s from Cleveland State. Laina spent the first couple years of her career teaching in public schools and at Monarch Center for Autism. During these years, she developed a passion for behavior, why behaviors happen, and how it can be taught. She is so happy every day she spends at RNH, and is thankful to be able to work side by side with such incredible, kind, loving people. Laina and her husband Nick welcomed their sweet baby girl Kaya in January 2023, and she feels this has given her a whole new perspective on her work with children and their parents. When Laina is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her daughter Kaya and son Axel. reading, and she has become an avid gardener over the last few years. Laina also has a burning passion for Mexican food, and would eat it every single day if she could! Laina’s favorite part of her job is seeing how our work inside the walls of RNH can reach into all different parts of the child’s life. It’s not easy work, but it’s work that truly makes a difference!
Emily Yurick is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) at Reaching New Heights. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Kent State University in 2021 and her Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis, with a specialization in Autism Spectrum Disorder, from Capella University in 2024. She has a strong passion for helping others succeed to the best of their ability and supporting them through any challenges they may face. During her undergraduate studies, Emily worked as a research assistant at Kent State University, where she contributed to research exploring the impact of psychological disorders and mental illness.
Emily has extensive clinical experience in Early Intervention, working with individuals of all abilities. Her areas of expertise include treating self-injurious behaviors, food refusal, and high rates of stereotypy. In addition, she has provided in-home support to both adolescents and adults, focusing on the development of daily living skills and community integration.
Outside of her professional work, Emily enjoys spending quality time with her husband and toddler. She has a passion for attending local events, hiking, painting, and creating digital art.
Emily is thrilled to be part of the RNH team and looks forward to making meaningful, lasting change in the lives of children and their caregivers.
Emily has extensive clinical experience in Early Intervention, working with individuals of all abilities. Her areas of expertise include treating self-injurious behaviors, food refusal, and high rates of stereotypy. In addition, she has provided in-home support to both adolescents and adults, focusing on the development of daily living skills and community integration.
Outside of her professional work, Emily enjoys spending quality time with her husband and toddler. She has a passion for attending local events, hiking, painting, and creating digital art.
Emily is thrilled to be part of the RNH team and looks forward to making meaningful, lasting change in the lives of children and their caregivers.
Behavior Technicians
Nora Erdman is a Registered Behavior Technician at Reaching New Heights. She graduated from Kent State University with a bachelor’s degree in Public Health and a minor in Disability Studies and Community Inclusion. Nora has always aspired to pursue a career that makes a meaningful impact on the lives of others. She has experience working with individuals of all ages and is passionate about helping children learn and achieve their goals. Nora is excited to continue learning and to make a difference at Reaching New Heights. In her free time, she enjoys reading, spending time with friends and family, walking in the metro parks, and playing sand volleyball!
Darby Herrick is a Registered Behavior Technician at Reaching New Heights. Darby is dedicated to helping children feel seen, understood, and safe while building tools that support a sustainable and meaningful life. Her professional background includes STNA work, caring for individuals with disabilities, and behavior management with adults, all of which shaped her strong commitment to supporting children on the autism spectrum. She believes differences are not deficits and focuses on building skills that promote communication, independence, emotional regulation, and psychological safety. Creating joyful, respectful, empowering, and connection-centered learning environments is central to her work, and she finds her greatest reward in watching each child blossom and make progress over time. Outside of work, she enjoys nature walks, spending time with her fur babies, showing up for others, traveling, listening to podcasts, discovering new places, connecting with friends, and visiting Cedar Point.
Kody Hunter is a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree at Kent State University, majoring in Human Development and Family Science with minors in Criminology and Psychology. Kody hopes to continue his education through graduate school and work toward earning a PhD.
Kody discovered his passion for working with individuals with special needs during high school through a P.E. Mentorship program, where he taught children how to participate in physical education games. This experience sparked a lasting commitment to helping others grow and succeed. What continues to motivate him in the field is witnessing both small and large victories in the children he works with, and seeing firsthand the meaningful impact that ABA therapy can have on their lives.
Outside of work, Kody enjoys spending time with his dog, Bailey, a corgi, and playing adult softball. He values staying active and building connections both on and off the field.
Kody discovered his passion for working with individuals with special needs during high school through a P.E. Mentorship program, where he taught children how to participate in physical education games. This experience sparked a lasting commitment to helping others grow and succeed. What continues to motivate him in the field is witnessing both small and large victories in the children he works with, and seeing firsthand the meaningful impact that ABA therapy can have on their lives.
Outside of work, Kody enjoys spending time with his dog, Bailey, a corgi, and playing adult softball. He values staying active and building connections both on and off the field.
Aleks Krainovich is a Registered Behavioral Technician at Reaching New Heights. Aleks has recently earned a Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology as well as a Bachelor’s of Arts in Sociology. Aleks is working towards her Master’s degree in Special Education with a concentration in ABA, which she hopes to soon use to become a BCBA.
Aleks has a passion for assisting others, specifically those who are in disadvantaged groups along with helping individuals understand their differences as valid, human experiences.
In her free time, Aleks enjoys spending time with her cat, KitKat, as well as dancing and listening to music. She also loves to learn new things about the topic of psychology and would be in school for the rest of her life if it was free!
Aleks has a passion for assisting others, specifically those who are in disadvantaged groups along with helping individuals understand their differences as valid, human experiences.
In her free time, Aleks enjoys spending time with her cat, KitKat, as well as dancing and listening to music. She also loves to learn new things about the topic of psychology and would be in school for the rest of her life if it was free!
Alyssa Krepps is a Registered Behavior Technician and a Journey Facilitator at Reaching New Heights. She is currently working towards her bachelor's degree in Public Health from Kent State University, and hopes to continue her education in the near future by getting her Masters degree as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Alyssa found her passion in working with children with autism spectrum disorder when she started at Reaching New Heights and finds new things to love about her job, and the children, every day. Alyssa has always known that she wanted to work with children to make a meaningful difference in their lives. Watching these kids grow and learn brings so much joy and happiness to her life. When she is not at work, Alyssa enjoys reading, hanging out by the pool with her partner Abbey, and playing with their two cats, Paris and Fiji. Alyssa also loves to travel and see new things to expand her knowledge about the world.
Kyle Lowry is a Registered Behavior Technician at Reaching New Heights. He earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Dayton with an emphasis on water resources engineering and the use of sustainable technology in developing countries. After twelve years working in engineering and marketing, he’s now making a transition into a career in the medical world so that he can work more closely with people and have a more immediate impact on his community. Kyle loves to incorporate sports, music, and creativity into his work with the kids at RNH. In his free time, he loves to travel and go to Guardians games with his friends. He’s currently working toward physician assistant school thanks to the great experience he’s had with the team and the kids here at RNH.
- Marco Velotta is a Registered Behavioral Technician who brings a calm, patient, and empathetic approach to supporting children and families. He is currently pursuing his Bachelor’s in Social Work at Cleveland State University, with plans to continue into a graduate program. Marco is passionate about helping individuals build practical skills, strengthen emotional regulation, and gain confidence in navigating their daily environments. He is especially interested in the broader intersections of behavioral health, social systems, and mental well-being and is committed to developing a future career in clinical mental health.
- Elayna Walters is a Registered Behavior Technician dedicated to helping children develop meaningful skills that enhance communication, independence, and confidence. Elayna began her career supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities as a Direct Support Professional, where she developed a strong foundation in person-centered care. Elayna is taking classes at Cuyahoga Community College and will eventually transfer to Cleveland State University to complete her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She is committed to continuing her professional growth within the field of behavior analysis, hoping to become a BCBA in the future.
As an RBT at Reaching New Heights, Elayna is passionate about building strong therapeutic relationships and celebrating each child's unique strengths. She strives to create supportive, engaging, and individualized learning environments where children feel safe, understood, and empowered to succeed.
Outside of work, Elayna enjoys staying active, spending time with friends and family, and traveling.
Abby Weiske is a Registered Behavioral Technician and Flight Facilitator. She is hoping to pursue a career as a Board Certified Behavioral Analyst in the near future. She has a background in Early Childhood Education, working with all kids. She was an assistant preschool teacher in a school district in Colorado. She has a background working with kids within home setting, school settings, and clinical settings. She has a passion to help every child see the world and teach the skills they need to thrive in this world. She wanted to work with children to make a meaningful difference in their life. It brings her so much joy to see every child grow.
When not at work she likes to spend her time with her soon to be husband William, cooking, reading books, spending time with her three cats, going to see horses whenever she can and going on walks throughout the metro parks.
When not at work she likes to spend her time with her soon to be husband William, cooking, reading books, spending time with her three cats, going to see horses whenever she can and going on walks throughout the metro parks.
""We had tried speech and OT therapies for our kiddo for over 2 years at two other places, but our child didn’t make progress. I threw a lot of money away before I talked with Donna, the owner of Reaching New Heights. How she has handled our child is heartwarming and we see the light at the end of the tunnel. Her assessments and goals are to the point. She talks to you and understands you like a friend who means well. Donna works very hard and treats all her patients as her own children. She is the greatest!
We also started ABA therapy for potty training at RNH six weeks ago. Heather understood what would work for our child as soon as she met him. And guess what? Our kiddo just started going potty this week. She never ceases to amaze me with her knowledge. Love her!
The whole RNH team is very good at communication. We have worked with most of Donna's team and we have come to the conclusion that she hires only the best. Since we started going there we have had countless numbers of tear jerking moments because our child is now excelling at all the goals and milestones. Hats off to this group of professional and compassionate women!"
-Mother
