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About WMLC >> Staff

West Metro Learning Connections, Inc. Staff and Credentials

Debra Schipper
Chief Executive Officer, Director, Social Skills Therapist, Teacher, Consultant, and Trainer

B.A. Secondary Education-English, German, and Journalism; M.Ed. Educational Psychology-Emotional Behavioral Disorders; Autism Spectrum Disorder Specialist

Debra has been a professional educator in general and special education for over twenty-five years. Debra teaches, coaches, and supports children through young adults, and their families, with autism spectrum and related needs. With experience and expertise in elementary through high schools, Debra also teaches and prepares others to work effectively with these special young people.

Email: dschipper@wmlearningconnections.com
Scott Schipper
Chief Financial Officer

B.S. Marketing

Scott Schipper, husband to Debra for over 26 years, assumed duties as Chief Financial Officer in December of 2003. Always an integral part of the founding of West Metro Learning Connections, Scott assumed this new role to allow Debra to concentrate on her passions—clients, programs, and services.

Scott graduated from the University of Iowa in 1978 with a business degree in marketing. He assumed a position of account manager with Northwestern Bell in 1979.  His career has included positions in large business sales, carrier sales, exchange carrier relations, public policy and is currently a regional vice president in wholesale strategic markets. 

Scott’s passions are his family, exercise, outdoor activities, reading and sports events. While his schedule does not allow him to be present at WMLC often, his behind-the-scenes work enhances programs and services in countless ways.


Mark McCaghy
Director of WMLC Bloomington Center and  Social Skills Group Facilitator

B.S. in Special Education and Cognitive Disabilities K-12, Autism Spectrum Disorder Specialist

Mark was raised in Lakeville, Minnesota and attended Lakeville Senior High School. Mark has seven years of experience teaching special education in Lakeville, St. Louis Park, Eden Prairie, and Chaska along with eight years at Camp Hand in Hand as a counselor and program staff.

Mark lives in Chaska with his wife, Laura, and daughter, Elsie. Interests and hobbies include fishing, Rock and Roll music, and movies.

Email: mmccaghy@wmlearningconnections.com

Ashley Geesaman
Assistant Director of WMLC Excelsior Center; Executive Curriculum Specialist; ASD Support Specialist, and Social Skills Group Facilitator

Undergrad majoring in elementary education with a special education endorsement.

Ashley was born and raised in Bloomington, MN and attended Thomas Jefferson High School.  Her hobbies include outdoor activities, scrapbooking, shopping and reading.

Email:  ageesaman@wmlearningconnections.com

Mary Wyatt
Director of Educational Placement and  Social Skills Group Facilitator

Born and raised in Rock Valley Iowa, Mary attended Rock Valley High School and continued on to obtain a degree in Elementary Education (K-8) from Augustana College. Her previous experience includes teaching 1st grade at Fairmont Public School, being a Title 1 teacher for Menomonie Public School District, and being the Director of Education for Sylvan Learning Center. Mary enjoys gardening, golfing, traveling, biking, reading, attending fitness classes, and having lunch with friends.

Email: mwyatt@wmlearningconnections.com
 
Janet Gressman
Executive Director of Operations

Janet has over twenty-five years of experience working in various office settings. As a parent of a young adult with special needs and an avid reader, she has read many books and has attended workshops relating to special needs for a number of years. She is a member of and subscriber to several disability related organizations and publications. Janet joined WMLC in 2002.  She enjoys reading, gardening, baking and crafting.

Email: jgressman@wmlearningconnections.com
Tomasina Uttecht
Office Administrator

Tomasina graduated from Marantha Christian Academy and has attended North Hennepin Community College. She has seven plus years of administrative experience. Her work history has included Director of External Ministries for The Salvation Army and Theatre Production Director for "Go Ministries." She enjoys meeting new people, traveling to other countries and volleyball.

Email: tuttecht@wmlearningconnections.com

 
Jessica Arseneau
Bloomington Office Manager

Jessica grew up in Bloomington, MN where she attended Normandale Community College. Jessica lives in Savage with her husband, Todd, and two sons, Al and Sam. She is the proud parent of a child with an autism spectrum disorder and considers autism to be one of her greatest passions.

Email: jarseneau@wmlearningconnections.com

Brenda Rutledge
Social Skills Group Facilitator

BA Child Psychology; MEd Special Education, Licensed for ECE, ECSE and EBD, Working on Autism Certificate, Brenda was raised in Benson, MN and attended Benson High School.

Brenda has a BA in Child Psychology and a MEd from the University of Minnesota. She has over ten years of experience working with children birth-5, and 5+ years working with students ages 3-14 with ASD. Brenda enjoys reading and playing with her dogs.

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Andrea Babicky
Social Skills Group Facilitator

BA in Special Education/Elementary Education; MEd from the University of Minnesota.  Over eight years of teaching experience.

Andrea was born and raised in Wisconsin and attended Wausau West High School.  Andrea enjoys bike riding.


Mark Balcerak
Social Skills Group, Outing, and Recreation Therapy Facilitator

BS Sociology and Psychology--Emphasis on family studies specific to disabilities (UW Eau Claire), Masters Degree EBD K-12 (St. Thomas University)

Mark was raised in Greendale, WI and attended Greendale High School.  He has experience working with DTH Partnership Resources for four years as a job coach, Art Team Chair, and Program Specialist.  He also started a Level 3 EBD intervention classroom at a District 112 Elementary School.  Mark enjoys cooking, reading and playing with his toddler.

Kellie Blanchard
Social Skills Group, Outing, and Recreation Therapy Facilitator

M.Ed. Special Education (Bethel University), BA in Psychology (Evangel University)

Kellie was born in Xinia, OH and attended High School at Terre Haute Christian School. Kellie has been working in the education field since 1996. She enjoys spending time with her kids, walking, swimming and boating.

Leslie Layman
Social Skills Group and Recreation Therapy Facilitator

BA's in Psychology and Italian from University of WI--Madison

Leslie has a brother with AS, TS and OCD.  She has experience as a line therapist in an intensive in-home Autism program and providing respite care.  She enjoys music, reading, and being outside.

Email:  llayman@wmlearningconnections.com

Bruce Swanson
Social Skills Group, Outing, and Recreation Therapy Assistant Facilitator

MS.ED., School Psychologist with over 34 years of experience in Special Education.

Bruce was raised in Minneapolis, MN and attended Edina High School.  He attended the University of Minnesota, Duluth and Baylor University in Waco, TX.  Bruce enjoys reading, traveling, and being out in nature.

Bill Martin
Social Skills Group and Recreation Therapy Facilitator; Marketing Communications Manager; and Creative Director

Bill was born in Philadelphia, PA, and raised in Virginia Beach, VA. He went to Kempsville High School and then to VA Tech for Mechanical Engineering, and Old Dominion University for Graphic Design. Bill currently works as an Art Director for MTM Advertising. He also works as a Sunday school teacher and with Youth Ministry at Minnewashta Church. Bill's hobbies include fishing, hunting, anything outdoors, and racquetball.

Email: bmartin@wmlearningconnections.com
Shayna Swanson
Director of Therapeutic Recreation & Specialized Programming

BA in Psychology from Wartburg College, Spanish minor

Shayna was born in Waterloo, IA and grew up in Boone, IA.  She has prior experience working at Comprehensive Systems.  She is interested in traveling.

Email: sswanson@wmlearningconnections.com
Katherine Schipper
 Public Relations; Curriculum Specialist, ASD Support Specialist; and Social Skills Group and Recreation Therapy Facilitator

Kate, Debra and Scott's oldest daughter, has worked at West Metro Learning Connections and has been a part of students' educations and lives off and on since the company was founded in 2001.

Kate is an aspiring writer and also a voracious reader and learner. She has been a "quick study" in learning what students need to feel and be successful in their social interactions and emotional and behavioral development.

Email:  kschipper@wmlearningconnections.com
Linda Jones
Social Skills Group and Recreation Therapy Assistant Facilitator

 Linda was born in Lawrenceville, IL, and raised in Bridgeport, IL. She attended Bridgeport Township High School. She has a 2-yr business degree and is CAM certified in Apartment Management. Linda enjoys yoga, reading, shopping, singing, biking, and movies.

Laureen Jost
Social Skills Group Facilitator

Laureen was born and raised in St. Louis Park, MN. She went to high school at Benilde-St. Margaret's. She has a Legal Assistant Degree from N. Hennepin Community College and an ASD Certificate from the University of WI - LaCrosse. Laureen currently works as an Educational Assistant in the Robbinsdale schools. She plays hockey in a Women's League and likes knitting and going to her family cabin.

Paige Vlatkovich
Social Skills Group and Recreation Therapy Assistant Facilitator 

Currently studying Special Education at Augsburg University.

Paige was born in Lewiston, ID and attended Duluth East High School in MN.  She has four years of experience working in the Wayzata School District as an ECSE Paraprofessional.

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Matt Raatz
 Social Skills Group and Recreation Therapy Assistant Facilitator

Nick Buller
 Social Skills Group and Recreation Therapy Jr. Assistant Facilitator

Nick was raised in Minnetonka and attends Minnetonka High School. His interest's include swimming, skiing, snowboarding, jet skiing, TV, the internet, running, and spicy food.

Claire Maccani
 Social Skills Group and Recreation Therapy Jr. Assistant Facilitator

Claire was born in St. Louis Park, and raised in Bloomington. She currently attends Jefferson High School. She has volunteered at West Metro in the past and has been a counselor at Camp Kota during the summer. Claire enjoys playing lacrosse, running, snowboarding, and being outside by the pool in the summer.

Mike Laurent
Social Skills Group and Recreation Therapy Assistant Facilitator

Mike was born in Minneapolis, MN and raised in Wayzata, MN. He attended Wayzata High School. He is currently a student at Concordia University in St. Paul. Mike has volunteered at the Minnesota Zoo for 5 years and worked at West Metro before in 2004. He loves to bike, hang out with friends, and study history.

 

Mason Green
Aquarium Master

Mason attends Prior Lake High School. His many interests include fishing, writing, chemistry, geometry and games.

 
Spencer West
Office Assistant

Spencer was raised in Chanhassen, MN and attends Chaska High School. He enjoys reading, movies, T.V., cooking, and looking up movies on the internet.


Helen Bird
 Office Assistant


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Peer Helpers:
Mariah Laughlin
Grace Johnson
Alyssa Olson
Lukas Hoover
Matthew Heil
Blake Martin
Kaylee Martin
Matthew Martin
Kelsey Brasch
Claire Riley
Danni Riley
Sam Arseneau
Aaron Olson
Emily Nyberg
Destiny Uttecht
August Blasing
Bailey Fagerlee
Jenny Einhorn
Anson Allard
Andrew Blanchard
Alex Savitt
Elizabeth Schipper
Social Skills Group and Recreation Therapy Facilitator

Liz, Debra and Scott's youngest daughter, accelerated through high school and attended Normandale Community College and the University of Minnesota. She has a degree from DePaul University in Chicago, IL.

Liz has worked  at West Metro Learning Connections off and on since the company was founded in 2001. She shares her mother's passion for learning everything she can about ASD and other social, emotional, and behavioral disorders.