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Cohort 2

Marissa Adams Photo
Marissa Adams Photo

Hi, my name is Marissa Adams. I am from San Marcos, Texas, and have worked with the San Marcos school district for the past two years as a Special Education aide with the FOCUS program. I will be pursuing my Specialist in School Psychology degree while also having the opportunity to participate in the PAIR-IT program. I am incredibly excited to have this opportunity as it will allow me to continue to work alongside Special Education teachers to create a strong and
equitable foundation for our future students to achieve their goals. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, reading, watching movies and tv shows, and trying new restaurants.

Ariel Dennis Photo
Ariel Dennis

Ariel is a graduate student in the School Psychology Program. During her undergraduate career at Millsaps College, she double majored in psychology and biology. In May 2020 she completed a Master of Science in Psychological Sciences. Over the last year, she worked for a nonprofit organization that serves disadvantaged populations. Throughout her work and life experiences in the field of psychology, Ariel has developed an interest in helping children with disabilities succeed in school. She is very excited to be part of PAIR-IT to help promote and facilitate equity for every child. In her free time, she enjoys kayaking, crafting, and exploring different cuisines through cooking.

Christi Castillo Photo
Christi Castillo

Hello, my name is Christi and I am so excited to be a part of the PAIR-IT program! I am a Central Texas native and I received my B.A. in Psychology in 2012 from St. Edward’s University. Since then, I have worked in different roles reviewing claims for individuals with varying degrees of disability. I am now making a career change and am excited to work one-on-one with students and provide services to children with special needs. In my spare time, I spend time with my family and friends. I enjoy hot yoga, lake days, hiking, weekend road trips out of town, and anything outdoors!

Haley Dennis
Haley Dennis

Hello, I’m Haley. I recently graduated from the University of New Orleans with a Bachelor’s in Psychology. My goal upon finishing the program is to be as prepared as possible to help my future students and their families while building connections within the field. Outside of my studies and work, my hobbies include traveling, playing with my dog, shopping, and spending time with my friends.

Taylor Langley Photo
Taylor Langley

My name is Taylor Langley. It is my pleasure to be a part of the PAIR-IT team and School Psychology program. I received my bachelor’s degree in Special Education from the University of Georgia. After graduating, I spent 4 years in the classroom as an Interrelated Special Education Teacher, grades 6-11. I am excited to be a student again at Texas State! When I am not in the classroom, I enjoy walking around Town Lake with my goldendoodle, watching movies with my husband, or testing out a new recipe in the kitchen. My goal as an educator is to provide my students with the resources that they need to reach their greatest potential.

Lisa Cornwell

Before attending Texas State, I worked as a substitute paraprofessional at multiple special education schools and a behavior technician in an ABA clinic. I have enjoyed working with young students and clients throughout both experiences, and I am very excited to dive into the field of school psychology. I enjoy discovering good restaurants, road trips, and playing video games in my free time. My goal in school psychology is to help provide and advocate for new learning opportunities to students of all backgrounds.

Emily Miller Photo
Emily Miller

Hello! My name is Emily Miller, and I am a School Psychology graduate student. I am originally from Chicago where I graduated from Loyola University with a BS degree in both Psychology and Criminal Justice & Criminology. My previous experiences working as a Child Behavioral Support Specialist and as a maternity substitute teacher have informed my decision to pursue a career as a school psychologist. In my free time, I enjoy reading, traveling, spending time outdoors, and trying new restaurants! I look forward to being a member of the PAIR-IT team and am eager to collaborate with fellow school psychology and special education students.

Alex Nolan Photo
Alex Nolan

Howdy! My name is Alex Nolan and I am pursuing a Masters's in Special Education! I graduated from Texas A& M University in August 2019 (Whoop!) with a B.S. in Psychology! Since then, I have been working in school districts in both high school and elementary settings. I am so excited to be a part of Project PAIR-IT and continue working in a field that I am so passionate about!

Amanda Serold Photo
Amanda Serold

Hello, I’m Amanda! I am excited to join PAIR-IT Cohort 2 as I prepare to be a special education teacher. I previously worked as an accountant and developed a joy for working with children through volunteering. I enjoy reading, trying new recipes, and spending time with my family. The early success of this project has encouraged me, and I hope to become a dedicated and thoughtful teacher while studying alongside future school psychologists. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of PAIR-IT and to learn how to best serve the needs of my future students.

Amy Talaber Photo
Amy Talaber

After 20 years in corporate marketing, I went searching for a new career where I could have a positive impact on the world. After 3 years of volunteering and working in different roles at my son’s elementary school, I became an Aide in the ECSE program and discovered my passion for special education. I am thrilled to be a part of the PAIR-IT program at Texas State. I feel the program will provide me with the knowledge and tools needed to be an effective Special Education Teacher. In my free time, I enjoy exploring the outdoors with my family, baking, reading, and volunteering for an animal rescue.