Kim Donellan, M.B.A., ET/P, CAS
Educational Therapist, Special Education Advocate, Founder
Kim Donellan is an Educational Therapist and has always been very involved in and very dedicated to helping children maximize their full potential. Her inspiration to help people with learning differences came from her two sisters, both born with different disabilities. Kim began her career in education in 2006 working at Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes. From there, she began her private practice in 2007. She helped start a school for children with ASD in 2014 as the Program Director. Kim joined Morrissey-Compton as an Educational Specialist in 2017 where she works with the Department of Family and Children Services advocating for foster youth.
Kim earned her Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) and her Bachelor of Science (B.S.) from the University of California, Davis. She earned her graduate certificate in Educational Therapy from the University of California, Riverside. She is an Educational Therapist/Professional through the Association of Educational Therapists. She is a certified Special Education Advocate through COPAA. She is trained in all of the Lindamood-Bell programs (Visualizing & Verbalizing, Seeing Stars, Talkies, LiPS, and On Cloud Nine Math), Orton-Gillingham, Making Math Real (Overview, Kindergarten, The 4 Operations & The 400 Math Facts, The 9 lines, Fraction Decimals & Advanced Place Value, Time & Money, Geometry, Pre-Algebra, Algebra, and Games!), TouchMath, Handwriting Without Tears, Seeing My Time: Executive Functioning Success, Zones of Regulation, Kimochis: Social & Emotional Learning, and TEACCH: Autism Program through the University of North Carolina. Kim is a Certified Autism Specialist and has her Autism Certificate. She is certified in Pivotal Response Training (PRT) through The Koegel Autism Center at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Allison Kraft, M.A.
Educational Specialist
Allison has worked in the field of education since 2006. She began her teaching career in Barcelona, Spain for Groupe Danone S.A., where she developed language-based curriculum and activities for English Language Learners aged preschool to first grade. After moving back to California, she worked as an elementary and middle school teacher specializing in reading, writing, and drama.
Allison has her Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from San Diego State University. She received her Bachelor of Science in General Studies and California teaching credential from the University of Southern California. Due to her passion for learning and desire to stay current on best classroom practices and strategies for teaching, Allison currently takes courses through the University of California San Diego Extension program. These courses include Interventions to Guide Struggling Readers, Effective Strategies for Emergent and Early Writers, The Daily 5, and Anti-Bullying Strategies for Primary Grades.
Cody Hill, M.A., M.S., ET
Educational Therapist
Cody has worked in the education field since 2005. He has been an educational specialist, school counselor, substitute teacher, and social worker.
He is passionate about working with students of all abilities. He specializes in executive functioning, projects, presentation skills, writing skills, reading, math, social/emotional curriculum, life skills, and general homework support.
He has his Master of Arts in Education with a Concentration in School Counseling from California State University, Stanislaus, a Master of Science in Occupational Safety and Environmental Management from Columbia Southern University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Communication from California State University, Stanislaus. He has his graduate certificate in Educational Therapy through University of California, Riverside. He has attended trainings in Making Math Real.
Joelle Alexander O’Meara, MS.Ed
Education Specialist
Joelle’s dedication to education spans back to 2005, encompassing a diverse range of roles from paraprofessional to Education Specialist (TK-12), Reading Intervention Specialist, and SDC Preschool Teacher. Her fervent commitment lies in enhancing student progress and fostering a genuine love for learning among young minds. Continuously striving for professional growth, Joelle holds a plethora of authorizations and certifications.
With a Master of Science in Special Education, an Education Specialist Credential, and additional certifications in Autism and English Language Learning from National University, Fresno, Joelle’s academic foundation is robust. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Fresno State University before furthering her expertise with an Early Childhood Authorization from the San Diego County Office of Education.
Currently, Joelle is in the process of acquiring a Reading and Literacy Authorization from the University of California, San Diego, alongside her Orton Gillingham certification and comprehensive training in all Lindamood-Bell programs. Her journey exemplifies a relentless pursuit of excellence in educational practice.
Saniha Kabani, Ed.S., M.Ed
Education Specialist
Saniha Kabani is a dedicated advocate, educator, and mentor specializing in customizing math instruction to suit the varied needs of learners, particularly those who are multilingual. Working in education since 2016, she is committed to nurturing inclusive learning environments where all students can excel.
Saniha holds an Ed.S. from Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia, complemented by a Master of Education (M.Ed.) and an English as a Second Language (ESOL) Endorsement from Lipscomb University, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee.
Driven by her passion for continuous improvement, Saniha is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Teaching and Teacher Education at Georgia State University. She firmly believes in the right of every student to receive an outstanding education and aspires to positively influence their educational journey. Additionally, Saniha is undergoing training in Making Math Real, further enhancing her ability to support her students effectively.
Alissa Olson, M.S., P.P.S.
Educational Specialist & School Psychologist
Alissa’s interest in helping children began while earning her Bachelor’s at Cal Poly State University, SLO, during an internship with a School Psychologist. After graduating from Cal Poly in 2005, Alissa attended San Francisco State University to earn an M.S. in School Psychology, along with Pupil Personnel Services Credentials in School Psychology and School Counseling.
During graduate school, Alissa worked as a clinician for Lindamood-Bell in Palo Alto for two years. After completing her Masters in 2008, Alissa held the following positions in school districts in California’s Central Valley: a Student Connections High School Counselor for at-risk students in Special Education/Foster Youth/Homeless Youth, and as a School Psychologist and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) District Trainer. Alissa also worked in a San Diego area school district as a Program Specialist ensuring the legal adherence and implementation of Special Education programs. Additionally, Alissa has been a consultant for the California Technical Assistance Center (CalTAC) for PBIS, who trained school districts throughout California in implementing behavioral interventions. Alissa has worked with varying ages and abilities throughout her career, and cares deeply about working with students who need support. Alissa specializes in working with students in reading, reading comprehension, and writing using Lindamood-Bell’s methodology. She is trained in LIPS, Talkies, Seeing Stars, and Visualizing & Verbalizing.
Lindsay Donellan, M.A., CCC-SLP
Speech and Language Pathologist
Lindsay Donellan is passionate about providing services to improve communication skills in children with speech and language difficulties. Lindsay earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History from University of California, Davis. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education from Utah State University and a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from University of the Pacific. She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is licensed by the California Department of Consumer Affairs Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board. She holds a Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential to provide services for students at public schools in California. She is trained in Orton-Gillingham.
Lindsay currently works as as speech-language pathologist at a middle school in a local public school district and has her private practice. She has previous experience working in various settings including university clinics and a hospital rehabilitation unit. Through her various experiences, she has served children and adults with various speech and language needs such as articulation and phonology disorders, hearing impairments, receptive and/or expressive language disorders, voice and fluency disorders, cleft palate, traumatic brain injuries, and AAC.
Kellis Johnson, B.A., M.B.A. Candidate
Administrative Assistant & Coordinator
Kellis has always loved working with children and supporting staff. She joined Kim Donellan Educational Services in 2016. Additionally, she is a college, high school, and club soccer coach. Previously, she worked with Kim at a school for kids with ASD where she was in charge of all of the administration tasks, but also helped with classroom preparation, art classes, and was a substitute teacher.
Kellis earned her Bachelor of Arts in Fine and Studio Arts, History, and minored in Technology, Arts, and Media from the University of Colorado Boulder. She also holds a certificate in C.U.B.I.C. (Colorado University Business Intensive Certificate) from the University of Colorado Boulder. She is currently working on her Master of Business Administration at Dominican University.
