Teachers

Valeria Acosta
Teacher
Salem College, B.A in Studio Art, and a MA FA from the University of Colorado Denver in Early Childhood Education with a focus on Inclusion. Experience Volunteer and TA at TUTS in the River Program. Joined Rise in 2015. 

Olivia Espinosa
Teacher
Texas Christian University, M.S. B.S. Early Childhood/Special Education. Experience includes teaching in a Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities as well as Prekindergarten inclusion. Joined Rise in 2015.

​Holly Hoffman
​Teacher
University of Houston. B.A. in Communication Science Disorders and Psychology and a M.Ed specializing in Special Populations. Previous experience with working with children and adults with specials needs in a variety of settings. Joined Rise in 2019.

Carla Keller
​Teacher
Texas A&M Corpus Christi Bacehlor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Development. Working towards Masters in Special Education. Experience at The Rise School as a teacher's assistant and in K-5 Life Skills Program. 

​Dulce Ladner
Teacher
University of Houston-Clear Lake currently working on her Master of Science in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Young Children with Disabilities.  Joined The Rise School of Houston in 2018.

​Tiffany Maldonado
Teacher
Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education Liberty University.  Tiffany  is pursuing  her Graduate degree in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Young Children with Disabilities.  Joined The Rise School of Houston in 2012.

Carla Morales
Teacher
University of Houston, B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies, and M.Ed. in Special Populations with an emphasis in Special Education. Experience includes serving as an Early Intervention Specialist in the Greater Houston area and completing a student internship at Rise. Joined Rise in 2024.

Margaret Reith-Herrera
​Teacher
University of Heidelberg, M.S. B.S. Education, Experience includes teaching Montessori as well as teaching preschool children with special needs in the public school setting. Joined Rise in 2011. 

Debora Brownell
​Teacher
University of Houston Clear Lake, B.S Early Childhood Education with an emphasis in Special Education. Working on her M.S in Curriculum and Instruction. Joined Rise in 2019.

Madeline Truman
​Teacher
Texas A&M University, B.S. in Community Health. Pursuing graduate degree in Early Childhood Education. Experience includes working with children and adults with special needs in a variety of settings. Joined Rise in 2021.

​

Therapists

Emily Berman
Physical Therapist
​Texas Children’s Hospital
Doctorate of PT from University of Texas Medical Branch, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, MPT and BS HealthCare Science; University of Texas at Austin, BA Psychology in 1999.  Certified in Pediatric Neuro-Developmental Treatment, Certified Kinesio Taping Practitioner, American Heart Association CPR Instructor and holds a National Child Passenger Safety Certification.  Experience working in outpatient, home health, acute, critical care and the aquatic setting as a physical therapist.  On staff at Texas Children’s Hospital (TCH) and contracted by Rise from TCH to work with Rise students. Joined TCH in 2003 and Rise team in 2007.

Veronica Llanos-Fernandez
​Music Therapist
Walden University, Master of Science in Education K-12/Curriculum Instruction & Assessment. Sam Houston State University, B.A. Music Therapy.  Board Certified Music Therapist and carries the NMT and Fellow certification from the Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy. Veronica is a Licensed Massage Therapist/Certified Infant Massage Instructor and has taught Kindermusik and Music Together. Runs a National Roster Music Therapy Internship Program, participates in mentorship programs with NYU and CCISD, HSID and is the Clinical Training Consultant for the American Music Therapy Association. Joined Rise in 2000.

Macy
Community Service Dog

​She joined us in November of 2020 and was born July 4th, 2018. We partnered with Canine Assistants out of Milton, Georgia, a non-profit specializing in training and placing service dogs. Macy is a School-Based Community Service Dog and participates in animal-assisted therapy as a part of her daily routine. Macy is not considered a therapy dog. Macy is kept up to date with all of her vaccines and is followed closely by her Vet. She is also groomed each week, which includes getting her teeth brushed, bath, nails trimmed, and once a month, a de-shed treatment. Macy stays with Ms. Veronica, our music therapist, so you might see Macy with Veronica Fernandez in groups, but she can also roam freely throughout the school during the day. Macy assists in therapy groups, acting as a motivator for children to try different activities, take turns, and explore items presented within the context of therapy sessions. Macy also acts as a motivator for communication, provides an early understanding about animals, and provides emotional support in the classrooms, during transitions and entering and leaving the school. 

Tamara Freeman
Occupational Therapist
​Texas Children’s Hospital
Lousiana State University Health Sciences Center, Masters of Occupational Therapy. She has worked as an occupational therapist for 12 years and worked for Texas Children's Hospital at the outpatient clinic and Down Syndrome Clinic for the past 3 years. Joined Rise in 2017.

Jana Post
Language Group Therapist
Lamar University, MS Early Language Studies and Deaf Education and M.Ed. School Counseling; Baylor University, BS Early Childhood Development and Interdisciplinary Studies. Previous experience as teacher, educational coordinator, and language therapist. Joined Rise in 2010.

Meredith Daly
Speech and Language Therapist
Texas Children's Hospital
Received her MA from The University of Houston in Communication Disorders. Meredith was a graduate extern student at Rise in 2019.  She has experiences with autistic populations and with other neurological and developmental differences. We are so happy to have Ms Meredith back at Rise