Cotting Consulting

What Brought You to Cotting School?

I learned about Cotting school while working as a Speech-Language Pathologist in the public schools. After working with a consultant, I jumped at the opportunity to join the Cotting community.

What is your favorite pastime?

Gardening.

Favorite Cotting thing or something that happens at Cotting?

Camp Talk2U!

What is the most interesting place you have ever visited?

Algeria, where my father was born.

What is your favorite Cotting memory?

Celebrating Cotting's 125th Birthday!

What is your proudest non-Cotting achievement?

Completing my masters at MGH IHP.

Melissa is a member of the faculty at Cotting School and works in the Cotting Consulting program to provide outreach services to students and teams in local school districts. She is also an adjunct faculty member at Fitchburg State University in the Graduate and Continuing Education Department and has been teaching there part-time for many years in both traditional face-to-face classes and classes with online components. Melissa’s background as a speech-language pathologist brings a strong language foundation to her intervention with students and teams. She maintains a caseload of students within Cotting where she provides assessment and therapy services. She has clients within local public schools where provides direct assistive technology services to students as well as training to staff and families. In the college classroom, Melissa combines real-world experience with academic concepts to present relevant case studies and examples. Melissa is a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, holds licenses with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Division of Professional Licensure, and is certified as an Assistive Technology Professional through the Rehabilitation Engineering Society of North America.

What Brought You to Cotting School?

I worked at Cotting as a summer job while I was a graduate student; found my way back as a professional.

What is your favorite pastime?

Opportunities for outdoor recreation.

Favorite Cotting thing or something that happens at Cotting?

Talk2U AAC Enrichment.

What is the most interesting place you have ever visited?

Alaska.

What is your favorite Cotting memory?

Speech class with Mr. Teuber's students, some passionate speeches were made about a variety of topics.

What is your proudest non-Cotting achievement?

Figuring out (at least for a moment) how to travel and see new things. I remember learning about biomes and such in elementary school and thinking that "deciduous forest" was the only one I needed to know because I grew up here. As an adult, I have worked to expand my skills and seek adventure. I have now slept in a desert without a tent and visited the taiga and the tundra. Looking forward to next adventures...

Tim rejoined the Cotting Community as a member of the Consulting team in 2016. He is a National Board Certified and licensed occupational therapist with a variety of work experiences. Most notably, Tim spent eight years working as a staff occupational therapist at Cotting School providing direct service to students with a wide range of physical, cognitive and communication challenges. Prior to this time, Tim travelled throughout the country earning valuable experience working in pediatric programs from age 3-22 with a focus on programming needs within autism spectrum disorder classrooms. Accessibility and implementation of technology services have been at the heart of addressing curriculum needs, while ensuring that both teachers and families understand practical daily uses. Tim earned his degree in Occupational Therapy from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT.

What Brought You to Cotting School?

I learned about Cotting many years ago from a family friend. After she learned that I was moving to Boston and an Occupational Therapist, she said "You have to visit Cotting School!" The rest is history....

What is your favorite pastime?

Being active, getting outside and doing anything, swimming, biking, running.

Favorite Cotting thing or something that happens at Cotting?

Holiday celebrations with the kids in the building.

What is the most interesting place you have ever visited?

Barcelona, Spain - it's just a wonderful seaside location with a rich history and amazing food!

What is your favorite Cotting memory?

There are so many! An early memory is the Halloween haunted house set within OT/PT department...I was suspended on a platform swing for hours that first Halloween! It was all worth it for the kids and to see their faces.

What is your proudest non-Cotting achievement?

Having two beautiful daughters!

What Brought You to Cotting School?

As an SLP, my passion is working with individuals who use AAC and so when this position opened I jumped at the opportunity!

What is your favorite pastime?

Reading.

Favorite Cotting thing or something that happens at Cotting?

The camaraderie and feeling of family is one of my favorite things about Cotting.

What is the most interesting place you have ever visited?

Scotland- the juxtaposition of bustling cities, remote mountains, and ocean views make it one of my favorite places to visit.

What is your favorite Cotting memory?

Still making memories, but every day is a new adventure with the Consulting team!

What is your proudest non-Cotting achievement?

Finishing a marathon.