We are guided by a Board of Directors that includes a Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction, a Veterinarian, a former Director of the American Occupational Therapy Association and an expert in nonprofit business administration. Combined, their respective backgrounds provide the oversight and guidance needed to make sure that RETREAT offers the most comprehensive and effective program possible for people of all ages and all abilities.
Kimber M. Hirsch, B.Sped, M.Sped, PDD Spec
President, ChairmanMrs. Hirsch is a licensed Special Education teacher with over 25 years experience working with children with special needs and over 30 years experience working with horses and teaching horse back riding. In addition to her extensive background working with horses, she served as an Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapist for five years and has an M.A. in Special Education with a Certificate in Autism.
Dr. Elinor A. Williamson, Ph.D.
Founding MemberDr. Williamson earned a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction at New Mexico State University and has over 45 years of teaching and curriculum development at all levels of instruction, for a diverse population of students, from typically developing students to students with profound disabilities. Dr. Williamson served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for abused children for CASA El Paso and, as a reading specialist, has been a lifelong advocate of ending illiteracy. Dr. Williamson provides educational and curricular oversight for the educational programs at RETREAT.
Coralie H. Glantz, OTR/L, BCG, FAOTA – AOTA
Founding Member
Mrs. Glantz is co-founder of Glantz/Richman Rehabilitation Associates Ltd., an agency servicing nursing homes, retirement homes, home health, hospitals and schools with Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Social Services and Therapeutic Recreation. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois and has been clinical faculty at that University as well as at Rush University. A former Director on the Board of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), Mrs. Glantz provides RETREAT with therapeutic practice oversight and guidance and serves as a resource for RETREAT’s volunteer O/Ts, P/Ts and SLPs.
Dr. Amy Starr, D.V.M.
Founding MemberDr. Starr is the founder of Paws-n-Hooves Mobile Veterinary Clinic and owner of Mesa Veterinary Clinic. Dr. Starr specializes in large animal veterinary services and is a pioneer in the field of equine dentistry. Dr. Starr and her husband run equine-based summer programs for children at their ranch, San Francisco Stables, and she is well respected as a leading equine veterinarian in the greater El Paso region. Formerly a Captain in the U.S. Army, Dr. Starr is a graduate of the Washington State University School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Starr provides routine and emergency veterinary services for all of the animals at RETREAT and ensures that the animals are well cared for.
Mr. John Linney, M.A.
MemberJohn Linney (M.A.), Executive Director of Impact Coaching and Speaking, is an international speaker, trainer and author. As a ?climate specialist,? he has provided services and training to over 400 educational institutions, foundations, community partnerships, and organizations in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Mexico, & Northern Ireland. John has worked in public and private schools and colleges and as a youth development and organizational climate educator. In recent years, he has worked on improving school climates, integrating full service community schools, youth engagement, and bullying and violence prevention for staff, students and parents.? His book,?Safe School Ambassadors: Harnessing Student Power to Stop Bullying and Violence,?is an essential guide for school administrators, counselors, teachers, parents, and youth organization leaders.