MEET OUR STAFF

We are graced with an incredible team of autism instructors, administrators, job coaches, assistants, and volunteers at WILC. In 2020-2021 we invested in much staff development including 2020 and 2021 Autism Conferences and Autism and Psychology courses, Technology, Trauma and Resilience Inservices, Person Centered Planning,  Staff and Student Handbook and Policy updates, and so much more.  We thank them for all their fortitude over this challenging time and all they do for our Autism Mission!

Leadership

Terri Lynn-Johnson
Executive Director

Joining WILC in Spring of 2014 as the WILC Executive Director, I have loved being involved with working with individuals with special education needs including autism for most of my adult life. I was a teacher aide and media specialist prior to attending UW-Whitewater for my Bachelors of Science degree in Elementary/Special Education, and Masters Program in Emotional Behavioral Disabilities. I have over 35 years teaching experience in public schools grades k-12 and 18-21 in Southeastern Wisconsin. I have always looked for out of the box solutions to meet students and family needs especially involving technology and vocational opportunities from early on and respecting each student as an individual. I enjoy getting to know each of our WILC adult students and their families. My husband, Ron, our daughter, Anna, and our young grandson, Noah love spending time together. Ron and I enjoy remodeling WILC and our home, cooking, yard work and gardening. I am a lifelong learner.

Laura Kau
Program Coordinator / Certified RPM Provider

I joined WILC in the fall of 2014 as the Lead Instructor after earning my Bachelor’s of Science – Communicative Sciences and Disorders, University of Central Florida. Working at Brain Balance as the Lead Sensory Motor Coach for two years in Wisconsin led me to completing my Masters Degree in Special Education, at the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater, 2014.

I left WILC in Fall of 2017 to move to Missouri with my family. My husband and I, and our two children, Greyson and Kennedy, spent the next four years there. While in Missouri, I was a stay at home mom for three years and then returned to the Public School District – Special Education Department. Summer of 2021, my husband’s company gave our family the opportunity to move back to Wisconsin and be closer to our extended family. This gave me the opportunity to rejoin the WILC family this fall as Program Coordinator. During our free time we enjoy spending time with family and being out by the Mississippi River

Jennifer Lytle
Business Manager / Employment Specialist

I graduated from UW-Whitewater in 2017 with a degree in Business/Human Resources Management. I also have prior experience in medical records, banking, and as an ABA Line Therapist. I joined WILC in May 2018 as an Employment Specialist. My roles have included Job Coaching, Instructional Assistant, the DVR program, and Executive Assistant to the Executive Director. In 2020 I became the WILC Business Manager. It is my goal to create relationships with businesses in our community that will provide more opportunities for work experiences for our students, and to improve the functionality, financial responsibilities, and organization of the school as a business. My hobbies include reading, cooking, baking, and sewing; however most of my free time is spent with my mother and four younger siblings.

Instructors

Breanne Duvall
Lead Instructor/ Certified RPM Provider

I joined WILC in May 2017, after graduating from UW-Whitewater where I earned my Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology. My autism experience started when I was ten as I spent holidays with cousin who is on the spectrum. My senior year I worked with a young girl with autism in a classroom, worked as a behavior coach in line therapy, also spent time caregiving and providing respite. The WILC job found me through a family I worked with; I couldn’t resist the opportunity and love being a part of the WILC team. I love to continue to learn and just completed another training in augmented communication in 2020. In my free time I like to participate in pool leagues, hang out with my Iguana, Doc, and play video games with my sister. My family recently adopted a very cute dachshund puppy who is named “Moseley”. He enjoys coming to WILC to love our students and staff. I am a new mother of a beautiful baby girl.

Caelee Rabay
Lead Recreation Therapist, Certified RPM Provider

I joined WILC in summer of 2019 as a part time Recreational Therapist and became full time in Spring of 2020. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin- La Crosse in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science and Health in Therapeutic Recreations and a minor in Psychology. I have also completed certification to work with Recreational Therapist interns. After graduation, working in Fort Wayne, Indiana as a contracted Recreation Therapist, providing Therapeutic Recreational programming I served individuals with all ability levels in their homes and community. I developed and facilitated different programs to help my clients improve or create new life and leisure skills to increase their independence. I moved back to Wisconsin to be closer to family and am excited to use my experiences to provide a positive attitude and the patience necessary to recognize and cultivate the potential in others. I enjoy doing crafts and art activities, being outdoors and staying active and working for our family business.

Christina Buchholtz
Daily Living Skills Instructor / Certified RPM Provider

I learned about WILC from my cousin’s wife, Laura Kau, a former lead instructor. I was a paraprofessional at four different schools for the last five and a half years. During that time, completing my bachelors degree in special education and graduated in December 2019, I also worked part time providing respite care experience, including individuals with autism. I enjoy working as an instructor with our WILC students, focusing on daily living skills including culinary activities. Initially hired as a Instructional Assistant, after completing my degree, I became a full time WILC Instructor. I enjoy home improvement projects and flipping houses in my free time with my husband, Matt. We are currently living in Mukwonago. We also enjoy boating, RV camping and other outdoor activities.

McKayla Nigon, Recreational Therapist, RPM Provider in training.

I graduated from the University of Wisconsin- La Crosse in May 2021 after completing my Therapeutic Recreation Internship at WILC from January to May 2021.  I have also completed and passed my exam for the State of WI Certification for Therapeutic Recreation. I love going home to my family farm in Central Wisconsin and thankful for their donation of seeds this year for the WILC organic gardens and pumpkin patch. My hobbies are drawing, painting, baking, hiking, fishing, and playing games.

Employment Specialists

Sara Lubus
DVR Coordinator / Certified RPM Provider

I have a wide variety of business experiences to offer to our students since starting at WILC in 2019. I started as Job Coach in the community and aided as an Assistant at WILC. In Fall 2020 I started taking lead in DVR to help coordinate Employment Specialists around job sites. My work experience and background consisted of general business office support, billing/invoicing, customer service and office management. In addition to extensive banking experience in positions such as teller and Senior Personal Banker, I also worked at Children’s Hospital, as a Health Unit Coordinator and a Radiologist Assistant. I have a very strong work ethic, keen sense of accuracy, positive attitude and drive to succeed in a fast paced environment. I have a cousin with autism who helped lead me to WILC. I love spending time with my daughter and family, and staying active.

Cheyenne Doke
Job Coach / Assistant

I joined WILC in Summer 2021 as a DVR Job Coach and provided support as an assistant when needed. Since graduating from Waukesha County Technical College in June 2020 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Human Services, I am attending Ottawa University working towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Minor in Human Services. I have two years of experience working with children, teens, and adolescents who are on the autism spectrum, as well as with other disabilities. I love learning from my students and growing as a person from those experiences. During my freetime, I enjoy spending time with my family, friends, and dog Aurora. I also enjoy listening to music, laughing / joking, playing video games, crafting, and thrifting / antiquing with my Dad.

Danielle Parr
Employment Specialist / Teaching Assistant / Certified RPM Provider

I joined WILC in late summer, 2020. I am an Employment Specialist and Instructional Assistant. I have a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Social Work from University of Wisconsin- Whitewater. I have internships and work experience in social work, counseling, and direct instructional support.I facilitated daily living skills such as health and wellness learning, active community recreation, and academic training. In addition, I have worked with individuals with a variety of disabilities by actively supporting, facilitating, transporting, administration, and supervision/support in the community and schools / living environments. I am married and enjoy spending time with family and friends. Often in my free time, I enjoy making jewelry, sewing, and creating Pinterest crafts.