As the transition of the John Dewey Academy in the post Tom Bratter era continues we are announcing two significant staff changes. After eight years, Lisa Sinsheimer has decided to move out of her role as Intake Coordinator and Parent Liaison. Ever since her son graduated from John Dewey in 2005 she has found a passion in giving back and helping us develop an active and integrated parent program. As a psychiatrist and alumni parent she was able to add a unique perspective that was a bridge for parents and the professional staff. Lisa developed our active and integrated parent program that begins immediately in the intake process. Lisa will stay involved with our parents' organization and JDA in various ways that have yet to fully evolve but include strengthening our alumni program. To fill the vacancy we are fortunate to have brought on board Andrea Nathans, PsyD who will be adding to the program in many ways besides intake and parent liaison. Andrea's specialties range from divorce mediation and parent counseling to child, adolescent and family therapy. In addition, she has considerable experience with autistic spectrum disorders and psychodiagnostics. Andrea will be coming to the Castle at least once a week to participate in staff and clinical meetings and groups, and will attend our family weekends. Andrea and Lisa are working closely to help make this a seamless transition. For intake matters Andrea can be reached at 860-337-1104 or anathans@jda.org.
Secondly, after seven years Andrea Esperat Lein is leaving us so she can work full time on her doctoral dissertation. The passion and devotion she has given to JDA has kept her from being able to complete her degree since her arrival here. Those of you who have worked with Andrea know what a wonderful person and professional she is, and will understand how much we will miss her. If it were not for her calm, steady, and intelligent dedication I am not sure how I could have navigated the difficult years of Tom's deteriorating health and death. But, with her departure we are also excited to have hired Jovanina Pagano. Jovanina has worked for twenty years with adolescents and families in programs and schools including Grand Street Settlement, Harlem Children's Zone, Children's Aid Society, Brewster Academy, The Dalton School, Deerfield Academy, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, Groton School, Horace Mann School, Trinity School and The Taft School. She has been a direct service provider and administrator for at-risk adolescents, as well as an educator. After all this experience she decided to get an MSW and is currently completing her degree at Rockefeller College of SUNY Albany. Jovanina brings a unique sensitivity and awareness to adolescent issues and the issues of diversity that will be a valuable addition to our program.
With these new additions and the energy Eric Krawczyk has been providing since joining us in June with his background in Positive Psychology and Mindfulness, the John Dewey Academy has built on its tradition of high expectations, positive peer milieu, and the open and honest feedback of caring confrontation, to be better and stronger than we have ever been. For those who only know John Dewey Academy based on hear-say and an outdated reputation, we urge you to visit and find out for yourself what a valuable asset we could be for bright troubled teens.
John Dewey Academyis a year-round college preparatory therapeutic boarding school for troubled teens ages 15 -21. JDA utilizes peer-based approach that leads students to high levels of achievement and inspires them to develop in ways that promote self-respect, maturity, and respect for others.