Our Approach
You could also call this heading "Our philosophy" or "Our vision." This is the place to talk about what drives you and your business and what's unique about your process. What you write here should be something distinct and interesting about your business that sets it apart from others in the same industry.
Our Story
Pam Orf, CBRS/ITFS/ITDS. I graduated from University of Florida with a degree in special education and a teaching certificate for preK-grade three education, and training in early intervention. I completed a master’s level program at University of Central Florida to be a certified Infant & Toddler Developmental specialist. I’m a certified reviewer for the Infant and Toddler program and an Infant, Toddler, and Family Specialist. I have taught Kindergarten, second grade, and have been working in the infant and toddler program as a special instruction teacher/CBRS for fourteen years. I became certified as a PLAY project home consultant to be able to work with families after their child ages out of the Infant and Toddler Program. I’m a member of the council for Exceptional Children and the International Council on Developmental and Learning Disorders. I have developed Learning Connections Unlimited and trained CBRS providers working with me. I have a special interest and have been very successful working with child with autism and speech delays
Meet the Team
All providers must be certified as Infant Toddler and Family Specialist. Backgrounds much be bachelors in education, child development, psychology, social work.
Kristy McKito
I graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. I have a Birth-Kindergarten and Kindergarten-6th grade Teaching License as well as an Infant, Toddler, and Family Specialist Certification. Most of my teaching experience has been with the Mooresville Graded School District and includes Kindergarten, 1st Grade, and Title One Reading. I have also worked with infants, toddlers and preschool aged children in licensed daycares and private home settings. My extensive knowledge of child development and early childhood education has been a great asset to my position as a CBRS Provider. My husband and I reside in Huntersville with our 3 young children. I love teaching my children through play based learning experiences so chances are most of the ideas and activities I bring to my clients have been tested out on my own children first! I really enjoy working with families through Early Intervention and am amazed at the tremendous growth the children make by the time they age out of the program.
Maureen Brand
I earned my Master of Science degree in Special Education with a concentration in second language learners and cultural issues; Prior to that, I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in literacy. Both degrees were received from Drexel University. I have extensive training in ABA, DIR Floortime, early childhood development birth to three, and sensory processing
challenges.
I have 20 years of experience working with individuals on the Autism Spectrum and other developmental delays. Originally from New York, I earned teaching certifications in elementary education, students with disabilities birth to two, and Pre-k through sixth grade. I was a lead classroom teacher for children ages three through 11. I worked as an early intervention specialist and itinerant teacher for several agencies throughout Orange County New York for six years before I moved to South Carolina. I taught social skills and helped develop an academic multisensory program for elementary aged children with ASD. I volunteered as an educational advocate for PULSES New York, helping families obtain the services and appropriate educational environment their child needed through the local
school district.
My career is dedicated to the empowerment of all children and their families. I’ve enjoyed having the opportunity to teach a diverse group of children including those with ADD/ADHD, Autism, Asperger syndrome, speech delays, behavior challenges, learning disabilities, second language learners, as well as those with physical challenges. These experiences have taught me to meet each individual where they
are, and consider the family and child’s unique goals, needs and interests.
When not working, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family doing anything outdoors!
Heather S
CBRS/Infant Toddler and Family Specialist
Kimberleigh Hogan-Lee
My name is Kimberly Hogan-Lee, I graduated from La Salle University in Pennsylvania with a master of arts degree in special education. I also completed a one-year masters level certification program in infant toddler mental health from Arcadia University. I worked as a behavioral consultant with children and adolescents in inner-city Philadelphia with mental health diagnosis and developmental delay such as autism for 17 years before transitioning into early intervention for the past seven years. I was trained as an ITSE, (infant, toddler, social
emotional) coordinator, working directly with children and families to support social and emotional learning objectives, teaching play skills, as well as coordinating meaningful and appropriate mental health resources and support. I support babies and toddlers who may have experienced some type of trauma in utero, as well as during their early years. I have a special interest in working with families of children with autism disorder. I have been extremely successful "breaking through" with these populations, and shown families that we are not the labels assigned to us. I remind and empower all the families that I encountered to expect greatness from their children.
Sarah Melesky
CBRS/Infant Toddler and Family Specialist
Franzi Galloway
Hi! My name is Franzi Galloway and I have been with Learning Connections for about 4 years. I graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education and from West Virginia University with a Masters in Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education. I have taught in the public school system for 10 years in a variety of classrooms, but truly love working with young children and their families! In my free time, I volunteer at CMPD Animal Care & Control and with several rescue organizations, exercising, or cheering on my favorite sports teams.
Next Steps...
Our team has many years of experience and they're ready to support you on your journey.