who is reaching new heights?
leadership
Laina Matuch is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and the 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 and fur baby (a three-legged rescue pitbull named Champion), 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!
Jen Craig is the Clinic Manager and HR Coordinator 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 lead RBT at Reaching New Heights and the facilitator of FLIGHT. 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
Sarah Price is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) at Reaching New Heights. Sarah received her bachelor’s degree in child and family development from Ashland University and her master’s degree in applied behavioral analysis from Ball State University. She spent the first few years of her career as a behavior therapist at the Cleveland Clinic Center for Autism. Sarah has worked with clients aged 2-22 years and has experience with clients with intense disruptive behaviors. She loves seeing the behavioral strides that the clients make with the amazing RNH therapies! Sarah lives in Parma Heights with her husband and two her two Brittany Spaniel pups Remington and Oakley. She is expecting a baby boy May of 2023! When Sarah is not at work, she and her husband enjoy spending time together with the dogs and their family. Sarah enjoys painting, organizing, home renovation, time in the sun, and trying new things! Sarah is thankful for the RNH family she has become a part of, and grateful for all the clients she gets to spend time with!
Madison Whitley is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) at Reaching New Heights. Madison recieved her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and Master's in ABA from Arizona State University. Madison began her career working as an RBT providing therapy in children's homes. She quickly fell in love with ABA and it's powerful impacts and knew that she wanted to continue in the field. She has experience working with children ages 2-15 with a variety of behavioral challenges. Madison is very passionate about creating individualized goals that meet each child's unique interests and learning styles. Madison is a North Carolina native that recently moved to Kent with her husband, Paul, and two cats, Macie and Jack. When she is not at work, she loves spending time outdoors with her husband, snuggling the cats, reading, and traveling! She is super excited to be living in a new state with tons of places to explore. Madison feels extremely blessed to have found a home away from home at RNH. She loves working in such a positive and collaborative environment and she adores all of the kids with whom she has the privilege of working!
Makeda Winfield is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and the Clinical Supervisor for the ABA Department at RNH. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from Purdue University and her Master’s in Psychology with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis from Capella University. Makeda started her ABA journey in 2018 as an RBT. She has experience providing services to learners aged 2-19, across clinic, in-home, and school settings.
Makeda is passionate about providing fun, compassionate, individualized, and culturally responsive care to every learner. She also really enjoys teaching others about the magic of ABA and loves being able to supervise and support others who are new to the field.
When not at work, Makeda enjoys spending time with friends and family, eating good food, or enjoying live music. Makeda is excited to be part of the RNH family, where kindness and compassion are evident each day.
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Makeda is passionate about providing fun, compassionate, individualized, and culturally responsive care to every learner. She also really enjoys teaching others about the magic of ABA and loves being able to supervise and support others who are new to the field.
When not at work, Makeda enjoys spending time with friends and family, eating good food, or enjoying live music. Makeda is excited to be part of the RNH family, where kindness and compassion are evident each day.
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Behavior Technicians
Alyssa Erny is a Registered Behavior Technician at Reaching New Heights. Alyssa has a Bachelors degree in Psychology from Cleveland State and is pursuing her Masters and Psy.D degree in School Psychology from Cleveland State. She has worked with children since she was 12 years old and always knew that's what she would do as a career. Alyssa has experience as a Teacher's Assistant in a classroom with students identified as on the Autism Spectrum. Alyssa loves seeing children's brains working and thinking from a young age and is excited to be a part of their development. When she's not at work, Alyssa enjoys working out, yoga, playing with dogs(especially pugs), reading books on her Kindle and being surrounded by friends and family
Chloe Hayes is a Behavior Technician at Reaching New Heights. Chloe earned her Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Psychology at Ohio University and would like to continue her education in the near future. She has continuously worked with adolescents, ages 5 months to 13 years, since the age of 15 in a variety of settings. As a tutor, babysitter, and nanny, Chloe found the most comfort spending time with children and teaching essential life skills for their growth. Her enthusiasm for research in behavioral psychology led her to quickly discover that child therapy was the ideal way for her to integrate and apply her knowledge, also enhancing her practical experience. Chloe loves music, coffee, and animals, especially her senior dog, Bam. She looks forward to bringing her passion for child therapy, her dedication to helping children thrive, and making a positive impact to her role at Reaching New Heights.
Alyssa Krepps is a Registered Behavior Technician 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.
Gillian Maitland is a Behavior Technician at Reaching New Heights. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, with a minor in Organizational Leadership from the University of Cincinnati, with hopes to continue her education in the near future. During her time in Cincinnati, she interned at a nonprofit organization for disadvantaged youth called Mentoring Plus. Through this experience, Gillian quickly found her passion for empowering children and adolescents to fulfill their potential. In her last year at Cincinnati, she also worked as a Behavioral Health Specialist at Cincinnati Children’s hospital, where she gained experience working with children of all ages with all different types of disabilities and mental health illnesses. Her favorite part about working with kids is watching them learn new life skills and grow as people. It is incredibly heartwarming to her knowing that she is making a difference in someone else’s life. When Gillian is not at work, she enjoys going to the gym, hanging out with friends and spending time with her dog, Gunner.
Sydnee Raines earned a bachelor’s degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology from Kent State University in August 2023. She is excited to begin graduate school with plans of pursuing a career as a BCBA or SLP. Sydnee has experience working with people of all ages and loves helping as much as she can. She loves to see the difference she is making in someone’s life. Sydnee is excited to learn and grow as much as possible.
When Sydnee is not working, she can be found playing with her dog, Gus, running, shopping with friends, reading, and listening to country music. Sydnee has a love for Italian food (specifically cannoli’s) and learning about her heritage.
When Sydnee is not working, she can be found playing with her dog, Gus, running, shopping with friends, reading, and listening to country music. Sydnee has a love for Italian food (specifically cannoli’s) and learning about her heritage.
Ashley Saxton is a Registered Behavior Technician at Reaching New Heights. Ashley earned a bachelor’s degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology from Kent State University . She currently is in graduate school with plans of pursuing a career as a BCBA. Ashley has experience working with typically developing preschoolers and school age children but has found her true passion for working with kids on the autism spectrum and the field of ABA as a whole. Entering the field so early in her career, Ashley is eager to grow and learn alongside wonderful coworkers at RNH! When she’s not working, Ashley enjoys baking, trying new restaurants, and gardening. She has a passion for coffee and loves to be outside, usually with her dog, Dash.
Gina Tedesco is a behavior technician at Reaching New Heights. In 2022, she received her bachelor of arts in English with a minor focused on secondary education. Shortly after graduating, Gina started teaching ninth grade in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. While teaching, she realized it was young children she wanted to work with, and began a new career search. She always had a passion for learning and helping children meet their goals, which is why she pursued education. While searching for another field that enabled her to continue her passion, Gina discovered the field of ABA and immediately knew this was what she wanted to do. Having nannied in the past, Gina worked with children from 6 months to 7 years old which helped her discover the rewarding field of ABA. In her free time, Gina loves reading, writing fiction stories, playing her ukulele, and spending time with her cat, Chunk.
Morgan Valente is a Journey facilitator and a Behavior Technician at Reaching New Heights. Morgan graduated from Kent State with a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Special Needs Education. She has been working with children for the last six years. Morgan loves working with children and seeing them grow and learn new skills. She is excited to learn new skills that will help children grow more. When Morgan is not working, she loves to read and spend time outside. She also loves to travel and see new things and places.
""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