Executive Staff
Founder and Executive Director: Adele Saccarelli adele@teamworkwins.org
See history for more information.
Director of Educational Consulting - Autism Services: Rachael Simms M. Ed. rachael@teamworkwins.org
Rachael has, for 11 years, been working within Autistic space supporting individuals with social challenges.
Rachael has worked within the District of Philadelphia and Souderton Area School District supporting kids with invisible challenges, specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorders. In addition to working within the public school system, Rachael has worked as a case manager, autism consultant, behavioral specialist, social skills group facilitator, camp director, autism mentor and an adjunct professor at Gwynedd-Mercy College teaching human behavior and other related classes. Today, she works as the director of the Autism Services at Teamwork Wins, Ltd., and is an Autistic Support teacher within the Souderton School district.
Growing up, Rachael struggled with trying to make sense of her own invisible challenges (depression, anxiety and inattentiveness) which lead her to study human behavior and earn a degree in Social Work. As a social worker, she worked within the home and school settings supporting children with similar invisible challenges including Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). She had developed an enthusiasm for working with kids with ASD and continued her education receiving a Masters of Special Education in 1999.
In 2001, while working as a teacher in the District of Philadelphia, she began to realize how her personal issues were affecting her teaching. The traditional methods of personal growth she had been utilizing were no longer enough for her. She knew there had to be more. She stepped outside her box and found someone who was working "outside of the box," Michael Cavallaro. After a year of working with him and utilizing the new "out of the box" techniques her paradigms began to shift. She was experiencing significant, positive and permanent changes in her own life, taking her beyond coping. The techniques have empowered her with the motivation and ability to clear the blockages that prevented her from obtaining the joy that she knew existed.
She is now working to incorporate these skills, in addition to interventions that already exist, to help create the possibility of the same permanent change for individuals with ASD.
Staff
Cassie Cavallaro
Cassie is an Educational Support Specialist for Teamwork Wins Ltd. (TWW). This position requires assessing a issue in a school setting and working directly one on one with student(s) to bring about clear communication and understanding which is needed in teacher/student/peer/parent relationships. She excels in bringing resolution to a situation/meltdown that might seem unattainable. She is the liason between the child with the invisible challenge and the rest of the world. Her extensive knowledge and intuitive caring approach allows for the student to return to the classroom and recess yard quickly. While the child is more equipped to interact and cope.
She is one of the facilitators at the “Circle of Games” 8-12 yr. old program. She serves on the development team for the TWW Peer Mentoring Training Program. She is also, the Director of the “Express Yourself!” program, 3-5 yr. old program.
She holds a certificate in Early Childhood Education. Throughout her career, she has spoken to many parents, teachers, siblings and teens on leading a functional, self directed and happier life.
Lissy Cavallaro
Lissy is one of the facilitators at the “Circle of Games” 8-12 yr. old program. She serves on the development team for the TWW Peer Mentoring Training Program.
Director of Operations, Programs Dev. Specialist, Mary Herald maryh@teamworkwins.org
Mary Herald graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary
Education in 1972.
Mary became a single mother when her six children ranged in ages 2 through
12 years of age. A sixteen year old foster daughter came to live with the
family when Mary's oldest child was in her senior year in high school.
Since 1990, Mary has worked for the New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection as a Program Development Specialist.
Mary is enrolled in the Teamwork Wins Certification Program. She has
offered her talents and her working experiences to step into the role as
Director of the Teamwork Wins Connections Programs.
Program Consultant – AD/HD Services, Barbara Wallace barb@teamworkwins.org
Barbara has worked in the business world her entire life: as a manufacturers representative for major furniture manufacturers in customer service, sales, and office management. She also worked as a consultant and is a part owner in a family business. Barbara is a graduate of ADDCA with a certification in ADD/ADHD coaching. She is also on the Marketing Committee of Living Concepts.
Her interests include studying homeopathy and horseback riding. Barbara lives in Pennsburg, PA and has a daughter and grandchild on the way. She
attended Burlington County Community College and Widener University.
Bookkeeping , Grants & Creative Planning, Phyllis VanDerVoort phyllis@teamworkwins.org
Phyllis received her degree from Kean University, Union NJ. She has a BA in Early Childhood Education and is certified to teach Pre-K to 8th Grade. Phyllis had a teaching position with Garfield Day Nursery, Garfield, NJ for 4 years teaching the 4 year old group and Kindergarten. She then went into the Banking Field where she has 22 years experience in the Global Trade arena.
There she honed her skills as a Trainer. She is now doing Bookkeeping for Teamwork Wins, Ltd. and Living Concepts, LLC. Her interests include working with children, researching just about anything, looking for opportunities to get the word out about Teamwork Wins Ltd., numbers and country music.
Educational Development and Data Collection, Barbara Ann Valinotti, M. Ed barbaraAnn@teamworkwins.org
Barbara Ann Valinotti has been involved with training, education and learning for the past 14 years. She has worked with adults and children of all ages. She is the mother of two and has been married for 20 years. An animal lover and an avid reader, she also enjoys gardening, singing and spending time with her family including an English Springer Spaniel named Ben.