Our Staff

 

Kids on the Go

Meet your Therapists and Summer Staff:

 

Karen Thieman Barrows, M.A.,CCC-SLP

 Karen is a certified Speech-Language Pathologist with a Masters Degree form Wayne State University. She currently works at Macomb Intermediate School District in the Macomb Infant Preschool Program with experience working with early intervention and school-aged children. This is Karen’s ninth year with Kids on the Go. Karen is a contingent staff therapist and is celebrating this summer as a Mommy!

 

 Karen M.L. Barsy, MA, DTR

 Karen has earned a BS in Dance Education from Eastern Michigan University, an MA in Dance Therapy from Lesley College.  She is a Dance Therapist at MSU Community Music School Detroit and Creative Arts Therapies, Inc.  Karen has experience with developmentally disabled, multiply impaired, sight impaired, psychiatric, sexual abuse victims and geriatric populations. Previously employed at Center for Creative Studies-Institute for Music and Dance and Adult Well Being Services. Karen is a member of the American Dance Therapy Association. This is Karen's first year with Kids on the Go teaching our music and movement enrichment course.

 

Chris Buchanan, MPT

 Chris is a certified Physical Therapist with a Bachelor Degree from Grand Valley State University and a Master Degree from the University of Michigan- Flint. Chris has over 13 years of experience in a variety of outpatient pediatric and adult settings. Chris has been affiliated with Kids on the Go for four years and is part of our contingent staff. 

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Tabitha Heideman Finley, OTR/L

Tabitha works as an Occupational Therapist for Clarkston Community Schools. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Western Michigan University and Bachelor of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy from Wayne State University. Tabitha's fifteen year work experience includes St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Woodward Hills Rehabilitation Center, Birmingham Community Schools, Berkley Community Schools, and Pontiac Public Schools Center Program. Her passion has been working with children over the past twelve years. Tabitha has also spearheaded a summer handwriting program through Clarkston Community Education. This is Tabitha's second year with Kids on the Go and will be located at our Better Letters North site this summer. 

 Mike Fremont

Mike joins us from the Lac Saint Clair Baseball and Softball Association. Mike has been coaching baseball in our community for almost thirty years. He is currently involved in the Lac Saint Clair Baseball and has experience working with children and adults of all ages. This is Coach Mike’s second year with Kids on the Go.

  

Heidi George

Heidi George is a certified Yoga Ed Trainer. A dedicated and inspired yoga practitioner for over 10 years she delights in bringing the joy of yoga to all students. Heidi has taught yoga to adults for 5 years and during the past 4 years she has been teaching Yoga Ed to teachers, students, and parents in schools across Michigan. Her goal is to inspire adults and children to incorporate this practice into their lives to find connection and honor in themselves where ever life takes them. This is Heidi's second year teaching Yoga Ed for Kids on the Go.

 

Carly Hickey, COTA

Carly is the coordinator for Kids on the Go and the Better Letters Program. She is a certified Occupational Therapy Assistant with an Associate of Applied Science Degree from Macomb Community College. Carly is currently working in Southfield Public Schools with preschool, elementary and middle school aged children; Developing Connections, an outpatient pediatric clinic; and Henry Ford Macomb Hospital. This is Carly’s fifth summer with Kid’s on the Go and is our staff therapist on Fridays, and therapy assistant for Yoga Ed.

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Shaun Hickey, COTA

Shaun is a certified Occupational Therapy Assistant with an Associate of Applied Science Degree from Macomb Community College. Shaun is currently working for a home care company providing pediatric and adult rehabilitation services and is on staff at Developing Connections, an outpatient pediatric clinic. This is Shaun’s fifth summer with Kids on the Go and is a staff therapist on Fridays and the therapy assistant in the Little Sluggers Clinic.

 

Colleen Klosterman

Colleen is a registered Occupational Therapist with a degree from Western Michigan University in Occupational Therapy. Colleen has over twenty five years experience and is currently working in the Clarkston Community School District and providing home care therapy. This is Colleen’s fourth year with Kids on the Go and is a staff therapist on Mondays and Wednesdays. Colleen is also our coordinator for the Better Letters North location.

 

Katie Lubera, MA, CCC-SLP

Katie is a certified Speech-Language Pathologist with Bachelor and Masters Degrees from Michigan State University. She is currently working at Rodgers Elementary in St. Clair Shores working with preschool and kindergarten age children. This is Katie’s fourth summer with Kids on the Go and will be our staff therapist on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

 

Melanie Morandini, MA, CCC-SLP

Melanie is a certified Speech-Language Pathologist with Bachelor and Masters Degrees from Eastern Michigan University. She is currently working at Marquette Elementary School in Detroit and also provides therapy to serveral Head Start locations. She has been with Detroit Public Schools for 12 years. This is Melanie's first year with Kids on the Go and she is looking forward to it! She will be out staff therapist on Mondays and Wednesdays.

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Linda Netzel, OTR

Linda is a registered Occupational Therapist with over twenty five years of experience. She has held several staff and administrative positions and is currently a professor and the Clinical Coordinator at Macomb Community College in the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Wayne State University and a Masters of Arts degree in Allied Health Education from the University of Michigan. This is Linda’s eighth year with Kids on the Go and is the creator of our Better Letters Program. Linda is a contingent staff therapist.

 

 Angel Nosis

 Angel Nosis is currently a student at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit pursuring her degree in both Illustration and Art Education. She has volunteered and worked with the students at the Wing Lake Developmental Center in Bloomfield Hills as well as students from CCS's A. Alfred Taubman Center for Design Education. This is Angel's first year with Kids on the Go and will be the instructor of the "Art Therapy" class this summer.

 

Renee Pieciak, PT

 

Heather Pillars, OTR

Heather is a registered Occupational Therapist with a degree from Wayne State University in Occupational Therapy. Heather has over ten years of experience working with the geriatric and pediatric populations. She is currently working in the public schools serving both elementary and high school children. This is Heather’s fourth year with Kids on the Go and is part of our Better Letters program.

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Kristy Piana Schena, MS, CCC-SLP

 Kristy is the Founder and Executive Director of Kids on the Go. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Michigan State University and her Masters Degree in Communication Disorders from Bowling Green State University. Kristy is excited to be celebrating twelve years of providing Kids on the Go services! Her fifteen years of experience include Faith Medical Center, Bi-County Community Hospital, St. John Oakland Hospital, and Bonsecours Rehabilitation Services/ Beaumont Grosse Pointe. Kristy is the therapist for the “Once Upon a Story” entichment clinic.

 

Cindy Spalding, COTA

Cindy is a certified Occupational Therapy Assistant with an Associate of Applied Science Degree from Macomb Community College.  Cindy is currently working with the Clarkston School District. She has received training in the Handwriting Without Tears Program through the Macomb Intermediate School District. Her experience also includes Beaumont’s Pediatric Outpatient Program. This is Cindy’s sixth year with Kids on the Go. Cindy is a staff therapist on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

 

Jody Conradi Stark, MA, MT-BC

Jody is the Site Director of Music Therapy Clinical Services at MSU Community Music School - Detroit and President of Creative Arts Therapies, Inc. She has a BA in Music Therapy from Colorado State University, MA in Arts Administration from Eastern Michigan University. Jody is currently completing a PhD in Music Education/Music Therapy at MSU. She was a visiting lecturer at EMU Depart of Music and Dance, Music Therapy Program in Fall of 2008, a graduate Teaching Assistant at MSU School of Music/Music Therapy Program from 2002-2007. She has experience with psychiatric, developmentally disabled, autistic, and pre-primary impaired populaons. Previously she was a Director at the Center for Creative Studies-Institute of Music and Dance, School of Performing Arts Special Education, Executive Director and Program Coordinator at Full Circle Community Center, and music therapist: Vistas Nuevas Head Sart, Detroit Psychiatric Institute, Oakland Schools Autism Program, Detroit Oseopathic Hospital, FAR Conservatory of Therapeutic and Performing Arts, UofM Psychiatric Hospitals. Member of American Music Therapy Association, Past Vice-President of Michigan Music Therapists, Chair for VSA Arts of Michigan-Southeast Region, an Assembly Delegate and Student Advisor for Great Lakes Region of the American Association for Music Therapy. Jody is the instructor forour Music and Movement enrichment class this summer.

 

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 Renee is a licensed physical therapist with a degree from Oakland University. Renee has over 25 years experience working with children. She currenty lives in Troy with her husband and four children. Her experience includes Beaumont Hospital-Royal Oak (Adult and Pediatric Rehabilitation), and the Clawson and Troy School Districts, servicing children in the Early On programs, special education preschool and elementary age students. She is also a Pediatric NDT certified therapist. "I am looking forward to spending my summer with your children!" This is Renee's first year with Kids on the Go and will be our staff physical therapist Monday through Thursday.