DANIELLE CANNIZZARO – ABA SUPERVISOR, Ext 294 danielles@laurensinstitute.org

JENNY STANLEY – ABA HABILITATOR, jennifers@laurensinstitute.org

I am 23 years old and I am going to get married in May of 2012.  I graduated from a small college in North Carolina with a Psychology degree in 2010.  Three months later, my fiancee and I moved to Arizona so I could start working at LIFE.  I have now been in the ABA department for over a year and I love every minute.  The kids here have changed my life; I truly love what I do.  I am currently working on my Master’s degree online through NAU in Special Education and a certificate in the PBS (Positive Behavior Support) Program.  I hope to get my BCBA when I am done.  When I’m not working full time, working on schoolwork, or planning the wedding, I enjoy being home with my fiancee and our dog, Dodger.  I love watching football on the weekends, and I am a proud Notre Dame fan.

NATALIE DETEMPLE – ABA HABILITATOR, natalied@laurensinstitute.org

My name is Natalie DeTemple and I come from a family of 4 girls. I have 5 nephews and 2 nieces, with another niece on the way, who I just can’t get enough of!  I was married a year and a half ago to my best friend and we currently live in Mesa.  We enjoy doing all sorts of fun things together including hiking, skiing, traveling, etc.

Working with children is my passion and I can’t imagine doing anything else.  I have worked with children for as long as I can remember and I love it!  I went to BYU-Idaho and received a dual bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood and Special Education.  Then, I taught special education preschool in the Higley district for the last 4 years, during which I also worked for multiple families providing respite and habilitation services.  I feel it such a special privilege to work with these amazing children and I am so excited to be here at Laurens Institute.

CARMEN EMBRY – ABA HABILITATOR, carmene@laurensinstitute.org

Hello, my name is Carmen Embry, I am married and have four great children the youngest of which is now 19.  I have lived in sunny Arizona since 2004.  I have been working with special needs children for 18 years, in a variety of settings, including a school, special needs centers, and homes. Its a pleasure working with special needs children and their families.  I feel blessed that I have the privilege to be a small part of their lives in helping them reach their goals.  I have a degree in art and have been painting murals and art pieces for 20 years. I’m a baker, I own Sparkly Cupcakes which specializes in gluten and dairy free products.  My husband and I have a photography business and I specialize in black and white. We also have a real estate business that provides housing to families.  We are both caregivers for my mother who lives with us.

LEAH MILLER – ABA HABILITATOR, leahm@laurensinstitute.org

Leah Miller joined the L.I.F.E. team in January 2012.  She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education and has received training in working with children who have special needs.  Her first experience with a child who had Autism was in her 2004-2005 Kindergarten class.  That is when she discovered her passion for children with special needs.  She has been working with children who have Autism since 2008.In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Jason, their cat, Anya, and dog, Murphy.