Staff Bios
Toni Fuller Merfeld, M.S.Ed.
Director
Toni is the Executive Director and Owner of Metro West Kids Learning Center and President of the Metro West Kids Foundation. She has been in the field of education for 30 years and has extensive experience working with students with learning and behavior challenges both in the classroom and as a consultant in the public and private sectors. She has been trained in Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and in structuring classrooms for students with Autism using the TEACHH model developed by the University of North Carolina. Her experience in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) teaching strategies provide students with the individualization of instruction necessary to create a meaningful learning experience for students and parents alike. In addition to her work at Metro West Kids Learning Center, she is the Executive Board Secretary for the International Council for Exceptional Children's Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities (DADD), past President, Iowa Council for Exceptional Children; and the children's mental health consultant for the Iowa Department of Education. She is a member of CEC's Division on Behavior Disorders, The Association of Positive Behavior Supports, National Autism Society and the Iowa Autism society and CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder).
Stephanie Howard, MPA
Executive Assistant and Office Manager
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Stephanie is the Executive Assistant and Office Manager at Metro West Learning Center. She has her Master’s degree in Public Administration from Drake University. Stephanie comes to us with a wealth of information from a business back group and also as a parent with a son on the autism spectrum. She is a member of the Autism Society of Iowa Board of Directors. Stephanie is the walk coordinator for the annual Apraxia of Speech walk held in the Des Moines area.
Gloria Frolek Clark, PhD, OTR/L BCP
Occupational Therapist
Gloria has a doctorate degree in Early Childhood from Iowa State University and is Board Certified in Pediatrics by the American Occupational Therapy Association. In addition to over 30 years in experience, she is certified in infant massage, sensory integration assessment, handwriting assessment and treatment, and evaluation & treatment of children with neuro-developmental difficulties. She is a national presenter and has authored several chapters and papers on early childhood issues, autism, eating and feeding issues, hand skills and handwriting, daily living skills, visual perception/motor, and sensory processing. Gloria is married and has three adult children and two delightful grandchildren.
Rachel Allen-McHugh, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Rachel Allen-McHugh received her Occupational Therapy degree from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa. She has worked as an occupational therapist in mental health and pediatrics for the past 12 years. Rachel has specialized in the area of sensory integration and worked in a variety of settings including a private sensory based clinic in Chicago, a developmental coordination and sensory integration clinic in Galway, Ireland and is currently working as a school based occupational therapist for Prairie Lakes AEA . She has complete extensive training in the areas of sensory integration, therapeutic listening, samonas, Stanley Greenspan’s DIR model/Floortime, Ocular-motor remediation, ABA and Handwriting. Her continuing education in pediatrics has been completed in the United States, Ireland and England.
Marci Barker
Autism Specialist
Marci has a Master of Arts in Education from Morningside College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood with a minor in Early Childhood Special Education from the University of Northern Iowa. Marci has worked as an early childhood special education teacher for Des Moines Public Schools for the past 6 years. She works in a integrated preschool classroom that currently serves a variety of different special needs. She has had training in effective programming for students with Autism, PECS and has had several years of experience
in working with students with ASD.
Candice Borts
Autism Specialist
Candice holds both a bachelors and masters degree in early childhood special education from the University of Northern Iowa. She currently works for Des Moines Public Schools as an Early Childhood Special Education teacher, teaching in a self-contained classroom with students who have a variety of special needs, but the majority of whom have autism. She teaches summer school and does respite and SCL care. Candice has been trained in TEACCH and the Picture Exchange Communication System and is on the Positive Behavior Support (PBS) Team at her school.
Beth Pattschull
Autism Specialist
Beth holds both a bachelors and masters degree in early childhood special education and early childhood from the University of Northern Iowa. She has worked in early childhood special education for the past 15 years. Beth worked in the classroom in both an integrated setting and self contained setting. She has training and experience consulting with families, teachers and caregivers for students with autism and related disorders in order to offer instruction and strategies for teaching and implementing educational materials and methods. Beth is currently a consultant for the Des Moines Public Schools assisting early childhood special education teachers and students. Beth also works with children and families through respite and volunteer positions in the community. “Metro West is an exciting opportunity to work with students and families in a professional setting, dedicated to the Autism Community.” Beth is married and has two children.
Sarah Paisley
Autism Specialist
Sarah has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Special Education, from the University of Northern Iowa She completed a master’s degree from Doane College in Curriculum and Instruction. She currently is a special education teacher for Des Moines Public Schools as a special education teacher. In her 8 years of teaching, Sarah has worked with students with a variety of academic and behavior needs. She is excited to be part of the team at Metro West Kids.
Dr. Cynthia Knight
Reading Specialist
Before coming to Metro West Kids, Dr. Cynthia Knight has had a variety of experiences: 1st grade teacher in Dallas, Texas, then back to Iowa as a middle school special education teacher, high school special education teacher, coach of basketball and track, to college adjunct professor. Her work for the past 7 years has been with the Iowa Department of Education in the area of special education and math, science, social studies and language arts/reading. Her expertise is in reading, math and written language strategy instruction. It is her desire to make this world a better place than when she entered. Being back with students, using everything learned in life and work experiences, Cynthia can motivate, encourage and teacher students to become independent successful learners. Cynthia has been president of Iowa Council of Administrators of Special Education and membership chair of Iowa Council for Exceptional Children. She is married and has 2 daughters: one who breezed through school, and one who struggled. She understands the parent point of view.
Jennifer Evans
Instructor
Jennifer holds a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education and a minor in Literacy from the University of Northern Iowa. She works as an Early Childhood teacher in the Des Moines School District. She works in an integrated preschool classroom that currently serves a variety of different special needs. Jennifer has experience working with a variety of children with special needs through Supported Community Living and Respite care. She enjoys reading, scrapbooking, boating and traveling in her free time.
Deb Hearn
Instructor
Deb holds a bachelor of science degree in education with graduate work in reading and special education. Her experience includes working in an elementary classroom and substitute teaching at all levels. These experiences have prepared her to individualize instruction for each of her students in a way that best meets their needs. As a personal coach, Deb believes all student performance can be enhanced by individualized instruction in a one-on-one setting.
Alishea Henze
Speech and language Pathlogist M.A. C.C.C.-SLP
Alishea holds a Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Northern Iowa. In addition to facilitating social skills groups at Metro West Kids Learning Center, she serves as a Speech Pathologist for Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS). During her time at DMPS, she has served children and families with autism from Early Access (ages birth to 3-years) to middle school. She has served as an Early Access play group facilitator for children with autism. Her experience working with preschool-age children with autism includes co-teaching an Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) summer school class for children with ASD, as well as providing individual and group speech-language services for children in an ECSE Autism classroom. Alishea has also provided individual, small group, and classroom collaborative speech and language services for a K-5 autism program and middle school structured teaching classrooms. She has training and experience with Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC), such as the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and voice output devices. At MetroWest Kids Learning Center, Alishea provides assessment and instruction of social language related to social skills and play skills for preschool- and elementary-age students.
Beth Huizenga
Speech and Language Pathologist M.A. C.C.C.-SLP
Beth has worked as a certified Speech Language Pathologist for the past ten years. She has served children in both the public and private sector. Beth graduated with her undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa in Speech and Hearing Science and her graduate degree from the University of Minnesota in Communication Disorders. Her experiences include working with children age 3 through 18 with a variety of communication disorders. She has specific training and experience with Alternative and Augmentative Communication Devices, Picture Exchange Communication System, Velopharyngeal Insufficiency, Apraxia of Speech, and Early Childhood Education. Beth is honored to work with the talented staff and amazing families at Metro West Learning Center .
Meghan Kobes
Speech and Language Pathologist M.A. C.C.C.-SLP
Meghan is speech pathologist new to Metro West who is passionate about serving children with speech and language needs. She holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa and a graduate degree from Marquette University in Speech Pathology and Audiology. Meghan’s experience consists of working with preschool through high school students and includes a wide variety of speech and language disabilities. In addition to providing speech therapy at Metro West Kids Learning Center, she serves as a Speech Pathologist for Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) serving the Early Childhood population. She has training and experience with Alternative and Augmentative Communication, including Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and voice output devices. Meghan is excited to begin her journey working with dedicated families in a stimulating educational environment.
Amy Dannenfeltd, M.A. C.C.C.-SLP
Speech and Language Pathologist
Amy holds a Master’s Degree in Speech –Language Pathology from the University of Northern Iowa . Before taking time off to stay home with her kids, she worked for Heartland AEA 11 in the Knoxville and Pleasantville areas and the Omaha Public Schools. Amy has worked with children ages 2-18 and has experience with a wide variety of speech and language disabilities. In addition to providing speech and language therapy at Metro West, Amy works in private practice. “I am excited to be a part of the Metro West Learning Center team. I enjoy working closely with families to help improve the speech and language needs of each child.”
Sue VanEssen, M.A. C.C.C.-SLP
Speech and Language Pathologist
Sue has served the greater Polk County Schools for the last 32 years as a Speech Language Pathologist through Heartland AEA #11. Her experience has included working with a diverse student population. Sue graduated with her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Truman State University. She brings experience to Metro West Learning Center in the areas of early childhood, assistive technology, spectrum disorders, language/learning disabilities, and parent education. “Working in the schools has provided me experiences with a wide age range. I look forward to working with Toni and her team at Metro West in a caring educational setting.”
Lindsey Adams, M.A. -SLP
Speech and Language Pathologist
Lindsey holds a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology and a bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders, both from the University of Northern Iowa. She currently works at Mercy Medical Center – Des Moines as a Speech-Language Pathologist, serving pediatric through adult patients and their families. She specializes in trauma/critical care and neurologically involved patients at Mercy. Lindsey provides assessment and individual treatment of speech and language disorders to children at Metro West, in addition to facilitating social skills groups. Her areas of interest include genetic syndromes, developmental delays, stuttering, alternative and augmentative communication, brain injury, and autism spectrum disorders.
Erica Thorson, M.A. C.C.C.-SLP
Speech and Language Pathologist
Erica has worked as a certified Speech-Language Pathologist for the past 11 years. She earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Northern Iowa. Erica has worked in both private practice and in the public schools. She has been fortunate to work with children birth to 21 years with various communication disorders. She enjoys working with all children and has training and experience with expressive and receptive language delays, articulation disorders and apraxia of speech, augmentative communication devices, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), selective mutism, and stuttering. Erica is excited to work with kids at Metro West and see the progress they can make together!