BLOOM360 - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Learning Guide - Occupational Therapist

Andrea helps Learners grow in their independence, confidence in movement and sensory exploration within the context of their daily activities. Andrea works with Learners individually and in small groups as the Learners participate in interest-driven projects and activities. Andrea is one of the first practitioners in Wisconsin certified in The Greenspan Floortime Approach®. This licensing is the highest licensing in the world involving the DIR Model and Floortime Therapy. (Note: the only other certified practitioner in Wisconsin also is a Bloom360 Learning Guide.) Andrea has 20 years of experience as an Occupational Therapist. Her first role as an Occupational Therapist started in skilled nursing and she quickly realized within a few months that her skill set, energy and passion were more appropriate for working within the pediatric population. She has worked in a variety of settings including Fraser Child and Family Center, a school-based practice in the Chicago suburbs, Giant Steps School in Illinois, and in pediatric outpatient practice at Curative New Berlin Therapies. She also has consulted with Rogers Memorial Hospital for staff training on sensory processing, classroom design and sensory adaptations for the day treatment program. She has worked with children ages infancy through adulthood with a wide variety of neurological needs. Andrea also has experience working with Special Gifts Theatre in Illinois, a non-profit theatre program that puts on major musical productions on stage for children with diverse needs. Andrea has a bachelor's degree in occupational therapy from the University of

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board of Directors
• Vice President

At heart, I am a strengths-based coach and a visionary who develops and implements a plan to move a thought, idea or dream into a reality. I am intrinsically motivated to inspire, encourage and empower others to be the best versions of themselves by nurturing their whole being. My superpowers are my strengths of hope (I believe and envision the best in the future and work to achieve it), gratitude (I appreciate and am thankful for the uniqueness and potential of every human), curiosity (I seek answers, explore and discover through experiences) and perspective (I engage an integral approach and value inner wisdom). Cindy has more than 30 years of experience serving organizations and individuals in a variety of educational and coaching settings. Cindy is the Program Guide at Bloom360 Learning Community. She shapes the school's curriculum and oversees the continued development and implementation of Bloom360's educational model which is rooted in human development. She also consults with Bloom360's founding supporter Vista360, LLC and its clients to support their management consulting practice which focuses on strengths-based team and business building. Prior to co-creating and developing Bloom360 Learning Community, Cindy was an early childhood teacher, school social worker and college professor of Sociology, Social Problems and Organizational Psychology. She also was the designer and facilitator of professional development courses (face-to-face and online platforms) and workshops within continuing education programs for adult learners. In addition, she facilitated support groups for children and parents, provided short-term strength based counseling and facilitated social/emotional programs within classrooms, clinics and work environments. Cindy has completed the Institute for Multi-Sensory Education's (IMSE) Comprehensive Orton-Gillingham Training. This is a multi-sensory phonics approach for reading, writing and spelling instruction. She also has engaged in multiple training opportunities provided by the VIA Institute of Character in the areas of using character strengths at work, building effective teams and one-on-one strength based coaching. She has completed the advanced practice course, "Character Strengths Interventions." Cindy also completed the Holistic Mastery Coaching Program through Wisdom of the Whole Coaching Academy. Cindy earned her master's degree in social welfare from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee and her bachelor's degree in early childhood education from Mount Mary University. She has received her lifetime certification as a School Social Worker and Early Childhood Teacher from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Cindy currently serves as a board member for Bloom360 Learning Community. Her interests include reading , walking in nature, kayaking on warm sunny days, running, yoga, time with friends, empowering/inspiring others to be their best selves and planning experiences to share with her four adventuresome children. "Be the change you want to see in the world." - Ghandi Signature Strengths: Gratitude, Hope, Spirituality, Curiosity and Perspective + Read more - Read less

Dan actively supports many aspects of Bloom360's development including overseeing IT initiatives, supporting operations and fundraising efforts. He is a Partner and Consulting Manager with Vista360, bringing 17 years of business experience. Dan is passionate about learning new things and taking on big challenges. He has a bachelor's degree in business administration from St. Norbert College and is a Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout. Dan enjoys reading, spending time outdoors, running, playing and watching sports and spending time with family.

Job Titles:

• Director of Development and Marketing

Dawn supports all of our communication efforts at Bloom360. She brings more than 25 years of significant marketing, media and public relations experience to our team and is passionate about generating awareness and building relationships for our school. She and her family moved to Wisconsin a few years ago and were searching for a whole-child focused program like Bloom360 for their son. Dawn's professional skills aligned with our needs and she joined the Bloom team too. Dawn was instrumental in Bloom360 being featured in several television, online and newspaper stories and is leading our community outreach efforts. She wrote and directed our own Bloom360 videos as well as manages the creative direction and content for our school website, social media and quarterly newsletters. She is dedicated to researching and applying for numerous grants to help further support Bloom360 operations and programs. Her prior business experience includes leadership roles at several top tier marketing and public relations firms in Michigan. She also served as Director of Communications at a large independent school for different learners where she initiated a new community-based media relations program which resulted in 50 feature articles, several network television spots and a 30-minute cable television show. Dawn has a journalism degree from Michigan State University. Her interests include kayaking the Fox River in her backyard, cheering for her two children as they pursue their interests and spending time outside with family, friends and her family's lively dog, Riley.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board of Directors
• Director - Franklin Energy ( Retired ) Enrolled in the Music Therapy Program at Alverno College

I am passionate about creating experiences and opportunities for children to be heard, to feel accepted, to create something meaningful, and to connect through music. The confidence, smiles, engagement, and growth that occur throughout these moments, help to build a better life experience for everyone I work with. Life is about meaningful connections and I strive to promote that for the Learners at Bloom360. At Bloom360, Jess serves as a Learning Guide, helping to support Learners to try new experiences and integrate the school's social-emotional and project-based learning through a broad offering of customized learning opportunities. She also works with individual Learners and small groups to offer music therapy based on the child's interests and learning goals. Jess is instrumental in helping to inspire Learners and organizes two performance programs each year that showcase Bloom360's Learners singing, dancing, playing instruments or other creative expressions. For some Learners this may their first time feeling ready and willing to participate in a performance. Jess identifies opportunities for each Learner to participate to the extent they feel comfortable, and often before long, the Learner feels ready to take on a larger part of the program. For 13 years, Jess was a Music Therapist for a private clinic where she worked with children and adults in many settings, including clinics, schools, in-home, day care centers and adult day programs including providing music therapy to Bloom360 Learners twice a week since 2017. Her comprehensive experience over the past decade blends assessing individuals' needs, creating music-based interventions, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, supervising music therapy college interns within clinical settings and evaluating individual progress. Jess earned a Bachelor of Music - Music Therapy degree from Alverno College in Milwaukee and holds certifications as a Music Therapist - Board Certified (MT-BC) and Wisconsin Music Therapy Registry (WMTR), Her interests include: Camping, spending time with family and friends, going for walks with her husband and her dog, Stella, cuddling her cats on a rainy day, traveling, and going to concerts. "Almost all children respond to music. Music is an open-sesame, and if you can use it carefully and appropriately, you can reach into that child's potential for development." -Clive Robbins Signature Strengths: Kindness, Love, Creativity, Gratitude, Hope + Read more - Read less

Job Titles:

• Paralegal for Vista360

Jessica assists Bloom360 Learning Community with marketing, fundraising and administrative work. Jessica is a paralegal for Vista360 and brings more than 20 years of paralegal and executive assistant experience to the team. She is detail oriented, organized, optimistic and a critical thinker. Jessica loves gardening, being outside, and spending time with her family.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Development Committee

Julie serves as a Development Committee Member of Bloom360 Learning Community and supports efforts related to school fundraising. Julie also seeks opportunities to work directly with the Learners. She is a Consultant with Vista360, bringing 20 years of business experience. Julie is passionate about learning new things. Julie has always had a profound and genuine interest in supporting and encouraging others, in pursuit of their goals. She has a bachelor's degree in business administration from Robert Morris University and a master's degree in business administration from Roosevelt University. Julie's interests include spending time with her family, reading, and golfing.

My passion for teaching is fueled by "light bulb" moments when learning comes to life and resonates deep within the learner. In my more than 20 years as an educator, I constantly seek out opportunities to nurture and support learners, so they feel supported to delve deeper into their interests and ready to try new things. At Bloom360, Laura's goal is to create and expand on experiences for Learners to practice real-world learning at their own pace. She helps integrate the school's social-emotional and project-based learning programs that support whole-child growth while interweaving their interests. Prior to joining the Bloom360 team, Laura served as Program Manager for a local nonprofit serving young adults with special needs. In this role, she assessed the clients' academic needs, created curriculum goals, facilitated academic learning and daily living skill enhancement, worked as a job coach in the community and communicated closely with families. In other prior roles, she taught as a special education teacher at the elementary and middle school levels. In both settings, she worked directly with students and provided insight, knowledge and collaborative guidance for general education teachers. Laura has a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and holds a Lifetime Teaching License in K-12 Cross Categorical Special Education with an emphasis in Cognitive Development (CD) from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. She is an active volunteer in the community and has served as a Night to Shine Chaperone, Daily Living Skills and Respite Provider and led a fundraiser for an orphanage for children with special needs in Mexico. Her interests include: Traveling, reading, drawing, spending time with her wonderful husband and two spirited and caring sons, drinking coffee and laughing with friends, practicing yoga and meditation and taking long walks with her four-legged best friend. "Enjoy the space between where you are and where you are going." Signature Strengths: Kindness, Love, Humor, Honesty and Appreciation of Beauty & Excellence + Read more - Read less

Job Titles:

• Founder
• Member of the Board of Directors
• President
• President & Treasurer - Vista360, LLC and

Laura founded Bloom360 Learning Community along with a very talented team of educators and therapists in 2017. Today, she manages strategic initiatives and operations and enjoys the time when she is hands-on with the Learners. Laura is an entrepreneur at heart and passionate about her work at Bloom360 and Vista360. She believes in recognizing and nurturing strengths in all people, including neurodivergent individuals. She thrives in an environment that values authentic relationships and teamwork. Those values and experiencing first-hand her daughter's need for a more nurturing learning environment are what led her to develop Bloom360. Laura brings more than 30 years of business experience to Bloom360. As important, her perspective as a parent of two children brings the understanding and wisdom to the development and management of Bloom360. Laura's business experience includes serving as Managing Partner at Vista360, a consulting firm she founded more than 20 years ago and serving in senior management roles in the investment management industry previously. Her experience includes public accounting audit experience with PricewaterhouseCoopers and leading the finance and operations functions for mid-size and large investment management firms. Laura has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting degree from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. She maintains her license and is a member of the AICPA. Laura's personal interests include spending time outdoors walking the trails at Wehr Nature Center, vacationing with her family in Door County, playing at the beach and trying new restaurants with friends and family. "I believe all children can learn and thrive when we presume competence and then provide a nurturing environment built around their strengths and interests."

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board of Directors
• Director - a Stars & Stripes Flag Company

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board of Directors
• Member of Bloom360 's Board of Directors
• Secretary - Vista360, LLC

Lela is a member of Bloom360's Board of Directors and supports efforts related to school governance and fundraising. Lela also seeks opportunities to work directly with the Learners through small group mindfulness and art sessions as well as other interest driven projects. She is a Partner and Senior Consultant for Vista360, bringing 17 years of business experience to the school development, and has always had a profound and genuine interest in supporting and encouraging others, especially children, in pursuit of their goals. She has a bachelor's degree in biological sciences from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Lela's interests include spending time outside, reading, artistic/crafty activities and spending time with her friends and family. "I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

Job Titles:

• Assistant Learning Guide - Occupational Therapy Assistant

As an Assistant Learning Guide, Mikayla helps Learners grow in the five core elements of mind, body, spirit, social and emotional. She works with small groups of Learners to support their social emotional needs through individualized projects and activities which serve as practice grounds for growth.

Nicci's goal as an educator is to love and support each child for who they are as an individual and create a learning environment to support and nurture each child. Nicci is a Certified Early Childhood Teacher and has continuing education in Early Childhood Education through Lakeshore Technical College. She participates in ongoing training on Character Strengths and Mindfulness to incorporate those programs in the Bloom360 curriculum as well. Nicci is one of the first practitioners in Wisconsin certified in The Greenspan Floortime Approach® This licensing is the highest licensing in the world involving the DIR Model and Floortime Therapy. (Note: the only other certified practitioner in Wisconsin also is a Bloom360 Learning Guide.) Nicci has more than 16 years of experience working with young children. She has always enjoyed and had a strong calling to work with children, from the times she would play school with her younger brothers and neighborhood friends to her babysitting days. As an early childhood teacher Nicci began working with preschool age children and over the years has grown her education, skills and knowledge to work with children with special needs. Working closely with the child, family and their child's therapists/teachers, Nicci believes it is important to unite as a team. Nicci believes having a relationship with a child and family members helps one truly know them and their and their strengths and interests. Working from this perspective has helped Nicci to create the best approach to help each child learn and be successful. Her interests include reading and crafting (thanks Pinterest). She enjoys drinking tea while cuddling with her cats and spending time with family and friends. "Be the reason someone smiles today." Signature Strengths: Honesty, Love, Prudence, Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence, Kindness + Read more - Read less

Patrick supports Bloom360's many operational initiatives including overall administration, IT and fundraising. He is the Technology and Operations Manager for Vista360, bringing over 20 years of experience in providing staff support, customer assistance, IT and other operational support. Patrick loves to play golf and is an avid Chicago Cubs fan. He enjoys spending time with his wife, four children and dog.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board of Directors
• Assistant Treasurer - Vista360, LLC
• Member of Bloom360 's Board of Directors

Stacey is a member of Bloom360's Board of Directors and supports Bloom360's development in a number of ways, and in particular, is responsible for the organization's accounting efforts. She is a Partner and Senior Consultant for Vista360, bringing 23 years of business experience, and is passionate about learning new things and volunteering her time to various local nonprofits in her community. She has a bachelor's degree in accounting from Cardinal Stritch University. Stacey's interests include spending time with friends and family, camping, walking her dogs, reading, playing board games and pickle ball. "Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I'm possible'." - Audrey Hepburn

Job Titles:

• Learning Guide - Occupational Therapy Assistant

I am driven by three things; helping kids become confident learners, guiding Bloom360 Learners through the twists and turns of growing up and sharing kindness with Learners, parents and our team. I'm inspired to learn new things, offer a new perspective and when I can help someone work through a challenge.