Pupil Services Staff
Sarah Brooks
Student Assistance Specialist
(610) 269-8460 Ext# 11453
sbrooks@dasd.org
Sarah Brooks is Student Assistance Specialist for the Downingtown Area School District and over sees the Prevention Specialists. She has been with the District and providing services to at-risk youth since 2007. Sarah has professional experience working with adolescents experiencing significant mental health and/ or substance abuse issues. She obtained her Master’s in Clinical Psychology from West Chester University and has been licensed as an LPC or Licensed Professional Counselor since 2007. Additionally, Sarah has her Home and School Visitor Certificate through Bryn Mawr College.
Prior to joining the Student Assistance Team at Downingtown Area School District, she worked as an SAP Liaison for the Coad Group based in Chester County. In addition to her SAP experience, she provided direct mental health and drug and alcohol treatment through Life Counseling Services and Rehab After School.
In addition to her responsibilities with other district Prevention Specialists, Sarah coordinates District-wide programming such as QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer), PBIS, and the District Wellness Committee. She is both a Signs of Suicide (SOS) trainer and a Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) trainer. She also works closely with the Downingtown Area Communities That Care (CTC).
Degrees and Certifications:
Master’s in Clinical Psychology - West Chester University
Licensed as an LPC or Licensed Professional Counselor since 2007.
Laura Huxoll, Ed.D, BCBA
Behavioral Specialist - Elementary
(610) 269-8460 Ext# 11468
lhuxoll@dasd.org
Laura Huxoll is the Board Certified Behavior Analyst for DASD Elementary Schools. Prior to joining Downingtown Area School District, she served as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with Lebanon School District, an elementary and secondary special educator for Middletown Area School District, and a middle school and secondary special educator for East Pennsboro Area School District.
Dr. Huxoll served in Downingtown Area School District as a behavioral specialist at West Bradford and Brandywine Wallace Elementary Schools since 2022.
Dr. Huxoll holds a dual Bachelor's Degree in Special Education and Elementary Education from Bloomsburg University, a Master's Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Penn State University, and a Doctorate Degree in Special Education Leadership and Management from Drexel University. She also holds a Supervisor of Special Education Certificate from Drexel University and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in the State of Pennsylvania.
Degrees and Certifications:
Bachelor's Degree in Special Education and Elementary Education from Bloomsburg University
Master's Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Pennsylvania State University
Doctorate of Special Education Leadership and Management from Drexel University
Supervisor of Special Education Certification from Drexel University
Jamie Nunery, DSW, LSW
Student Services Supervisor
(610) 269-8460 Ext# 11413
jnunery@dasd.org
Dr. Jamie Nunery is the Student Services Supervisor, working with students in grades 7-12 and their families. She has been with DASD since September 2013, providing services to students and their families relating to truancy prevention and proceedings, homelessness, foster care, residency concerns, and exchange students. Jamie has a professional history of working with children and adolescents with mental health concerns in educational and judicial settings. She completed her Master in Social Work and Doctorate of Clinical Social Work at the University of Pennsylvania and has obtained her license as a Licensed Social Worker and certificates as a Home and School Visitor, School Social Worker, and Pupil Personnel Supervisor.
Prior to joining the Pupil Services Department at DASD, Jamie worked as a Child Advocate Social Worker at the Defender Association of Philadelphia. In addition, Jamie has provided direct community-based mental health services to kids and their families through The Center for Autism, Resources for Human Development Inc., and Child Guidance Resource Centers.
Degrees and Certification:
Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Criminal Justice (Drexel University)
Master of Social Work (University of Pennsylvania)
Doctorate of Clinical Social Work (University of Pennsylvania)
Licensed Social Worker (PA Department of State Board of Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists and Professional Counselors)
Home & School Visitor Certification - PK-12 (PA Department of Education)
School Social Work Certification - PK-12 (PA Department of Education)
Supervisor of Pupil Personnel Certification (PA Department of Education)
Veronica Ortiz, LSW
Home & School Visitor
(610) 518-0685 ext. 35309
vortiz@dasd.org
Ms. Veronica Ortiz, LSW, is the Home and School Visitor/School Social Worker for students and their families K-8. She has over 17 years of experience working with children, families, and individuals as an agent of support and guidance. Ms. Ortiz has provided services to students and families in the West Chester Area School District for approximately 10 years. As the Home and School Visitor/School Social Worker of the DASD, Ms. Ortiz provides support to students and their parents/guardians in the removal of barriers to education; including but not limited to crisis interventions, referrals to outside resources, support to transient families and students who have poor attendance, as well as professional development for staff. Ms. Ortiz is committed and especially sensitive to the needs of children who find the school environment unsettling and focuses on keeping students engaged and connected. Ms. Ortiz also focuses on bridging the relationship between home and school.
Degrees and Certifications:
Master of Social Work (West Chester University)
Home & School Visitors Certification (Widener University)
School Social Work Certification (PA Department of State Board of Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists and Professional Counselors)
Licensed Social Worker (PA Department of State Board of Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists and Professional Counselors)
Marisa Taddonio, LSW, M.Ed.
Home & School Visitor
Office: (610) 269-5656 ext. 28018
Cell: (484) 723-9986
mtaddonio@dasd.org
Ms. Marisa Taddonio, LSW, M.Ed., is the Home and School Visitor/School Social Worker for students and their families K-6. Ms. Taddonio has been providing services to students and families in a variety of public-schooled districts in the Philadelphia area for approximately 15 years. As the home and school visitor/school social worker, Ms. Taddonio provides support to students and their parents/guardians in the removal of barriers to education; including but not limited to crisis interventions, referrals to outside resources, support to transient families and students who have poor attendance, as well as professional development for staff.
Prior to working as a school social worker, Ms. Taddonio worked as a social worker in a truancy prevention program at a mental/behavioral health non-profit agency in Delaware County. Ms Taddonio started her journey as a social worker in 2002 working in foster care and adoption for a non-profit agency in Philadelphia and its surrounding counties. Additionally, Ms. Taddonio is Chair of the Delaware County Suicide Prevention and Awareness Task Force (DCSPATF), as well as the chair of DCSPATF Education/Conference Planning Committee. Ms. Taddonio is also a member of the Trauma Informed Education Coalition, where she provides training on trauma-informed Education.
Degrees and Certifications:
Bachelor of Science in Psychology (University of Colorado, Boulder)
Master of Social Work (University of Pennsylvania)
Licensed Social Worker (PA Department of State Board of Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists and Professional Counselors)
Home & School Visitors Certification (Bryn Mawr College)
Graduate-level certificate in Restorative Practices (International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP)
Master of Education with a focus on Trauma and Resilience (Spring Arbor University)
Kristin Welk is the Supervisor of Pupil Services for the Downingtown Area School District, overseeing Gifted Education, 504 Service Agreements, Counseling, and Nursing for the district. Kristin worked as a School Psychologist for twelve years, serving grades K-12 in low-income, high-income, urban, and suburban school districts within Chester and Delaware Counties, before transitioning into a Supervisor role. She earned her Bachelor's Degree from James Madison University, majoring in Psychology with minors in Family Studies and Substance Abuse Intervention. After working for several years in the Medical and Mental Health field with adults and children, she earned her Master's Degree in School Psychology from Millersville University. She is currently pursuing her Doctoral Degree from Immaculata University in Educational Leadership.
Degrees and Certifications:
Bachelor's of Science in Psychology from James Madison University
Master of Science in School Psychology from Millersville University
School Psychologist Certification (PDE PK-12)
Administrative Certification (PDE PK-12)
Susan Schemering
Administrative Assistant to the Director of Pupil Services
(610) 269-8460 Ext# 11405
sschemering@dasd.org
Shannon McGill
Administrative Assistant Pupil Services/Special Education
(610) 269-8460 Ext# 11406
smcgill@dasd.org
Special Education Support- Elementary
Districtwide: Gifted, 504 Support
Erin Courtney
Administrative Assistant Pupil Services/Special Education
(610) 269-8460 Ext# 11407
ecourtney@dasd.org
Special Education Support- Secondary
Districtwide: Low Incidence
Ann Berrios, Ed. D.
Director of Pupil Services
aberrios@dasd.org
Ext. 11401
Biography
Susan Schemering
Administrative Assistant to the Director of Pupil Services
sschemering@dasd.org
Ext. 11405