SCHOOL OF EXPRESSIVE
ARTS AND LEARNING
"Putting Children First"
S.E.A.L. Leadership Team
Hi, I’m Katie Maher, and I serve as the Program Development Manager here at SEAL. My role centers on cultivating continuity within the Support Department while also supporting staff, particularly during crisis situations with students due to my role as CPI & Ukeru Trainer. I often collaborate with staff when discussing challenging student cases, incentive programming, and staff morale boosters.
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If you're new here, I’m someone you’ll likely connect with about student concerns, milieu safety, and de-escalation practices. Please feel free to stop by my office and let’s chat about the program, your student cases, or the Chicago Cubs! Contact me at: kmaher@seal-il.com
Hello! I’m Kate DiPaola, and I serve as the Program Development Manager here at SEAL. My role centers on ensuring that S.E.A.L. stays responsive to the needs of today’s learners by embedding up-to-date training and policies into our practices. Similarly, I hope to foster a safe, supportive, and adaptive environment, for both staff and students, that reflects social consciousness and best practice in special education and particularly, the use of Expressive Therapies.
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If you're new here, I’m someone you’ll likely connect with about our expressive therapy programs or see me helping our coordinators troubleshoot new policies or procedures. I will be here with a welcoming smile and (hopefully) the answers to all your S.E.A.L. questions!
Contact me at: kdipaola@seal-il.com
"Tell us your name, your role here, and what you're most focused on in your day-to-day work..."
Hello, my name is Chris Robertson, and I serve as the Education Manager here at S.E.A.L. My role focuses on ensuring state compliance, providing Embrace/IEP training, and offering supervision and support to the Education Coordinators across campuses.
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If you're new to the team, I'm someone you'll likely connect with regarding classroom programming, IEP paperwork, progress/report cards, and problem-solving support. I'm here to help you get acclimated and to support your journey as you navigate S.E.A.L.
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Contact me at: crobertson@seal-il.com
Hi, I’m Gretchen Lubbers, and I serve as the Curriculum Manager for Strategic Initiatives here at SEAL. My role centers on analyzing current practices, taking inventory of curricula, creating structures and systems for sustainability, coaching teachers on best instructional practice, linking curriculum to standards for compliance, and partnering with staff for unique learning initiatives.
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If you're new here, I’m someone you’ll likely connect with about curriculum and classroom coaching, you will see me interacting with teachers, support staff and students in the classroom, and I’m always happy to help you get settled and feel supported.
Contact me at: glubbers@seal-il.com
Hello, I’m Erin Emeritz, and I serve as the Clinical Manager here at SEAL. My role centers on providing clinical direction through professional and educated guidance. I frequently advocate for students by assessing situations and assisting staff in understanding emotional and behavioral management strategies within the milieu..
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If you're new here, I’m someone you’ll likely connect with about implementing best clinical practices such as behavior management, understanding interpersonal conflict, and building therapeutic relationships in conjunction with clinical strategies such as active listening, validating feelings, and a non judgemental approach. I’m always available to listen, provide support, and address any questions or concerns as needed. Contact me at: eemeritz@seal-il.com
Hi, I'm Helen Lubawski, and I serve as the human resources manager here at SEAL. My role centers on providing resources, on boarding, and overseeing the hr department and administrative assistant department. I’m also continually trying to find improved systems to promote and sustain S.E.A.L. 's growth. If you’re new here, I'm someone you’ll likely connect with about employee resources and benefits.
I can also serve as a liaison for communication between staff to leadership, ownership and payroll.
You can contact me at hlubawski@seal-il.com
Hi, I’m Matt Meyer, and I serve as the Systems Manager here at SEAL. My role centers on maintaining and implementing technology in our classrooms and for our staff, as well as connecting and updating many of our online systems we use to support our students.If you're new here, I’m someone you’ll likely connect with about getting access to our online systems as well as day to day support with utilizing and implementing them in the building. I am always available to help either in building, by phone, or email whenever something is not running exactly right.
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You can contact me at mmeyer@seal-il.com
Hi, I’m Sharon Brosnan, and I serve as the Facility Manager here at SEAL. My role centers on maintaining a safe, clean environment for staff and students. I take care of 3 school campuses and offsite spaces we use for transition. My day to day includes building maintenance, vehicle maintenance and inspections, and property management. I enjoy creating spaces for different groups within our population. I take care of anything from painting to plumbing to furniture repair and ordering.
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If you're new here, I'm someone who can get your space ready for students and assist in any special needs for your classroom or office.
S.E.A.L.'s Founders
Managing partner and Director of Student Services, Karen Larson set forth the leadership of two additional therapeutic schools. She directed all aspects for a national child welfare agency of several hundred children. Ms. Larson was able to restore the financial health of these programs. She is experienced in programmatic and business management aspects in therapeutic schools.
Ms. Larson is a lifelong resident of Illinois, where she attended Prospect High School in Mt. Prospect and completed secondary education at Harper College as well as Loyola University in Chicago.
Prior to retirement, managing partner Cindy Nudd also had extensive experience in public and private therapeutic schools. She was the founding principal of a successful start-up school in DuPage County, which exceeded both financial and programmatic expectations. Ms. Nudd was an active member of IAPSEC (Illinois Association of Private Special Education Centers). She sat on several committees within the organization to assure a high standard of special education, care and treatment is available to all Illinois children with exceptional needs. Ms. Nudd is a graduate of Wheaton North High School and received her education degree from Northern Illinois University.
Co-founder Patty Hotz attended Herscher High School in Herscher, IL and attended College of St. Francis in Joliet, IL. She founded S.E.A.L. with extensive experience in both public and private therapeutic schools. In addition, her expertise extended to the psychiatric hospital setting. Ms. Hotz pioneered the establishment of expressive therapy as a successful therapeutic approach for children and adolescents. As such, she developed, implemented and oversaw a continuum of clinical therapeutic programming. This expertise is the essence of SEAL’s therapeutic modality.
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Ms. Hotz passed away on March 9, 2014. She was a passionate mentor, energetic leader, and a loving friend.
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"In our lives her spirit will always be present, as the imprints she left are forever on our hearts"