CINDY LYSTAD
Executive Director
"Cindy Lystad is a lifelong educator with an extensive background in ASD, leadership, and community relations. Cindy started her career as a special education teacher on the Western Slope of Colorado. She has served as a building administrator at every grade level PK- 12 inseveral diverse communities in Colorado. She is well-versed in community building, fiscal oversight, strategic planning, and state education laws and policies. Cindy has served on school boards in Telluride and Ridgway and recently completed a yearlong leadership professional development program (RSA) through Colorado Education Initiative. Cindy was honored to be one of two Cile Chavez scholars for the first RSA cohort. Cindy has been integral to several large philanthropic campaigns, including community initiatives, school expansions, and teacher support programs.“I am thrilled to be a part of The Joshua School (TJS). Our staff's love, skill, and dedication are at the core of TJS’s continued success. I look forward to providing long-term financial stability and a detailed vision for the immediate and future needs of The Joshua School”.Cindy earned her Elementary and Deaf Education BA from Flagler College in St. Augustine, FL, where she was a full-scholarship middle-distance runner. She earned her MS in Educational Leadership from WGU and is currently a doctoral candidate at UC Denver, focusing on Educational Equity in Urban and Diverse Communities. She holds a teacher’s license with Special Education endorsement, a Principal License, and a Superintendent License."
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KRISTEN KAISER
Executive Program Director
Kristen Kaiser joined TJS in 2015 as Director of Operations, and recently became Executive Program Director. She is responsible for working closely with the Executive Director and Director of Finance in overseeing operations and budget. Kristen also works closely with the program directors at the three campuses, overseeing programming. Kristen serves as LEND Family Discipline Director at JFK Partners, UC Denver School of Medicine, teaching and mentoring multidisciplinary professionals on disability and the family experience. There she spent the past 12 years in autism research, developing and implementing family support programming for families newly diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Currently Kristen holds a Masters in Public Health from the UC School of Medicine, BA in English from University of California, Santa Barbara and an MLA in English and American Literature from Harvard University Extension School.
MARTHA MUTH
Special Education Director
Martha Muth serves as Special Education Director over all three campuses, acting as liaison to CDE and responsible for regulatory compliance. She is also the educational director and school administrator for The Joshua School, Boulder campus. She joined TJS in 2015 from a residential treatment facility.
Martha holds a BS in Special Education from Metropolitan State University and an MA in School Administration and Supervision from The University of Phoenix. She holds Special Education Director and Principal Licenses, a Special Education Professional License with Elementary Endorsement.
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CHARITY EMERY
Human Resources Director
BIO PENDING...
JEWELL WEBER
Finance Director
Jewell Weber serves as TJS Director of Finance where she is responsible for all matters related to the planning, supervision and monitoring of school budgets, operational expenses and planning. She has over 20 years experience in non-profit Finance and Accounting. Jewell holds a BS in Accounting.
JILLIAN ESQUIVEL
Development Officer
Jillian Esquivel serves as TJD Development Officer where she is responsible for all matter related to planning and implementing a strategic fundraising plan. She also oversee all aspects of the process, including personnel selection as well as campaign strategy.
Jillian holds a BA in Marketing and Communications from University of Colorado, Boulder, a Masters in Communications with an emphasis in Non-profit work from University of Nevada, Reno where she conducted grant literacy research programs in Northern Nevada for After School programming.
KATE LOVING
Program Director - Transition, Englewood
Kate Loving serves as Transition Program Director for The Joshua School Englewood campus. She joined TJS in 2017 from Colorado Department of Education, where she has spent the past 7 years. As an ASD Specialist for CDE, Kate provided consultation and coaching for districts around the state, and the past 4 years with districts throughout Wyoming implementing evidence-based practices for students with ASD and IDD. In her years in private practice as a BCBA, Kate specialized in working with young adults with ASD and significant behavioral and communication needs.
Kate holds a BS in Human Development and Family Studies from Colorado State University, a Masters in Special Education from Portland State University, and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) through Florida Institute of Technology.
CASSANDRA BATISTA
Talent Acquisition Specialist
Cassandra Batista joined The Joshua School as the Talent Acquisition Specialist. She is responsible for any hiring, onboarding, and off boarding needs the The Joshua School might need. Cassandra works closely with our Leadership team and the Support team. Cassandra moved to the Denver area in 2013 from Texas, where she went to The University of Texas at El Paso to study Business Management with a minor in Marketing. She has been studying and working in the business industry for about 10yrs. She comes to The Joshua School with an interest in helping the staff and being their support in any hiring and Human Resource needs. She hopes to continue to help The Joshua School grow.
MIA BALDACCI
Program Director - Secondary School-Age, Englewood
Mia joined TJS in May 2019 as a BCBA/Behavior Specialist in the Transition program. Since then, Mia worked across classrooms and programs as a BCBA before recently accepting a Program Director position of the Secondary School Age Program in Englewood, Colorado. Prior to TJS, Mia worked as a BCBA and Clinical Supervisor, providing ABA services in family homes and center-based settings and supervising teams of BCBAs. Mia moved to Denver from Chicago, Illinois in 2016.
Mia holds a BS in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Saint Xavier University, a Masters of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) through The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
AMANDA MECKER
Co-Campus Director - Boulder
Amanda Mecker serves as Program Director at The Joshua School Boulder campus. Prior to her move to Colorado and joining The Joshua School in 2021, Amanda worked as a BCBA and Director of Clinical Services in schools and homes across New York and New Jersey. With greater than 13 years of experience in Applied Behavior Analysis, Amanda comes to The Joshua School with an interest in designing and implementing comprehensive curricula to support students in achieving their greatest potential based on their individual strengths and areas of continued growth.
Amanda holds a BS in Psychology from Rutgers University, and an M.Ed. in Special and Elementary Education from the Rutgers Graduate School of Education. Additionally, Amanda is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), and Licensed Behavior Analyst in the state of New York (LBA).
NICOLE LARSON
Co-Campus Director - Boulder
Nicole has worked at the Joshua School for over 10 years, starting as an intern at the Boulder campus in 2012 and subsequently serving as Instructional Assistant, Lead IA, Lead Teacher/BCBA, and Director of Behavioral Programming. In her current role, she develops and supervises behavioral and academic programming, and coordinates team training and support. Nicole’s passion is creating a safe and supportive environment through functional intervention in order to help students make meaningful behavior change, generalize their skills, and reach their highest level of autonomy and quality of life. Nicole holds a BA in Speech Language Pathology from the University of South Florida, MA in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University, a Professional Teaching License in Elementary and Special Education through the state of Colorado, and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
LILY DICKER
Co-Program Director - Joshua Early Childhood Center
Lily Dicker is passionate about the integration of Applied Behavior Analysis in an inclusion education model. She is originally from Wisconsin, and completed her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Go Badgers! She was dreaming of sunshine, so she made her way out to Colorado in 2012. She first worked in a residential facility that supported youth with emotional and behavioral challenges. Afterwards, she became a behavior therapist in an Early Childhood Program that was center-based. Lily fell in love with how the strategies and teaching procedures of ABA can teach a child to learn and improve the quality of their lives as well as their family members’ lives. That’s when she decided to pursue her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education at the University of Colorado-Denver.
Lily graduated from her Master’s program with a Masters of Art in Early Childhood Education with an endorsement in Early Childhood Special Education and a certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis. She received her teaching license and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in February 2018. Her experience as a BCBA ranged from the early childhood program through a young adults program. She also spent time working in the home environment, supporting families through difficulties they see in their natural environment.
MARIE LOWE
Co-Program Director - Joshua Early Childhood Center
BIO PENDING...