One of the main reasons the Sign n’ Say program is so effective is because it utilizes the expertise and experience of the entire staff at St. Rita School. Here, however, we highlight those teachers who work with apraxic students every day, and have the greatest impact on their success.
Ellen Brigger
Ellen
Brigger has a Bachelors of Science from Liberty University and a
Masters of Montessori Ed. from Xavier University. She is a member of
the International Reading Association, the National Association for
the Education of Young Children, and teaches College Reading at
Cincinnati State University.
Before coming to St. Rita's she taught at St. Vivian's School and at
Nativity School. She also taught Language Arts at the old Girl's Town.
Upon the birth of her deaf son she researched different programs for
the deaf to learn how to teach her child. She became involved in his
Early Intervention Program and was active in her school’s parenting
group for parents of children with disabilities, while also starting a
parenting group for children with disabilities at another school in
the district.
During this time, she was also involved with the Head
Start program, and then was a member of a Parent Action Committee,
representing the deaf children in her school district. In the early
90's, she moved to Cincinnati so that her son could attend St. Rita
School for the Deaf. She was very active at St. Rita, first as a full
time volunteer, and then on the staff as a kindergarten teacher. She
is a firm believer in parent involvement in children's education.
Nicole Cherry
Nicole Cherry is currently the lead teacher in the preschool classroom for 3-year-olds, with a variety of apraxic, deaf, and typical children in the class. Nicole was born with a severe to profound hearing loss. She learned to read lips and speak, and did not know how to sign until college. She chose teaching as her professional career to make a difference in the lives of children with disabilities.
Upon, graduating from high school, Nicole accepted a Division I athletic soccer scholarship to Wright State University where she learned to sign. She has a Bachelors of Science in Intervention Specialist from Wright State University and a Masters of Educational Administration from the University of Cincinnati. She is currently studying a Montessori Education Program and will complete the program in 2009.
Before coming to St. Rita School for the Deaf, she taught Kindergarten and 1st grade deaf children at Fayetteville Elementary School in Fayetteville, Ohio. She also taught basic American Sign Language to families and friends of deaf children. Nicole joined the staff at St. Rita School for the Deaf in 2005 as a Preschool Montessori aide.
Nicole does not hesitate to utilize a variety of hands-on activities and different teaching strategies to accommodate the diverse learning styles of her students. She is a relentless advocate for her students and their families and is determined to provide them with all of the services that they need. Nicole says that teaching deaf and apraxic children is quite challenging and requires a different approach to teaching. It also involves more repetition and one-on-one instruction to get the students to understand what is being taught. Nicole makes every effort to maximize the use of each school day, propelling her students to exceed their wide-ranging goals and expectations. She believes that every child with a disability can succeed in life.
Melisa Greatorex
Melisa Greatorex teaches the 3rd to 5th grade Sign n’ Say class. She has a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education from Miami University (Ohio), and 13 years of experience teaching deaf and hard of hearing children at St. Rita School. Before coming to St. Rita, Melisa worked as a substitute teacher for several local school districts. She has taught grades ranging from 3rd through 6th grade.
Having taught deaf students for many years, Melisa was asked two years ago if she would be willing to learn to teach apraxic students. She responded enthusiastically, attending parents meetings and gleaning information from Ellen Brigger on the limitations created by apraxia, and strategies to compensate for them.
With her classroom now filled mostly with apraxic children, Melisa has developed an understanding of some of the behaviors associated with apraxia, and has said she even finds herself “thinking apraxic”.
Armed with this insight, she has worked to create an environment where apraxic children can work to the very best of their abilities.
Sue Sullivan
Sue Sullivan is the lead teacher in the 4-year-olds preschool class. This class includes apraxic, deaf and typical children. Sue has been teaching at St. Rita School in their Deaf Montessori Preschool Program for the last three years. Before that she taught for two years in the Princeton City Schools Montessori Program.
Sue has earned an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Development, and a Bachelors of Science from Xavier University in Cincinnati. She also did her post graduate work at Xavier University, earning her Masters of Education in Reading K-12th grade.
Sue has been married for 36 years, and is blessed with 3 children and 4 grandchildren.
A strong believer in the Montessori model of teaching, Sue has earned her American Montessori Society Early Childhood Credentials from Xavier University. She is also a member of the American Montessori Association and is on the Board of the Cincinnati Montessori Society. Sue has found that the Montessori system works particularly well for her preschoolers with apraxia.
Sue regularly attends the Sign n’ Say parent meetings and other seminars on topics relevant to apraxia as she searches for the best tools for teaching the apraxic children in her class.
Sue is assisted by Sally Moore and Melissa Kelly.
Sally has taught at St. Rita for six years and has worked with apraxic children for the past five years. She worked with Ellen Brigger for one year with the K-2 class. Sally is married and both of her parents are deaf. She is presently finishing her Bachelor's Degree.
Melissa has taught at St. Rita School for three years, the last two in the Montessori Preschool program. She has earned bachelors degree in Deaf Education with a minor in American Sign Language from Eastern Kentucky University. She has worked with deaf children for many years as volunteer at different schools and camps.
St. Rita School for the Deaf
"Teaching Communication for Life"
1720 Glendale Milford Rd. Cincinnati, Ohio 45215
513-771-7600 Fax: 513-326-8264
Ellen
Brigger has a Bachelors of Science from Liberty University and a
Masters of Montessori Ed. from Xavier University. She is a member of
the International Reading Association, the National Association for
the Education of Young Children, and teaches College Reading at
Cincinnati State University. 
Nicole Cherry is currently the lead teacher in the preschool classroom for 3-year-olds, with a variety of apraxic, deaf, and typical children in the class. Nicole was born with a severe to profound hearing loss. She learned to read lips and speak, and did not know how to sign until college. She chose teaching as her professional career to make a difference in the lives of children with disabilities.
Upon, graduating from high school, Nicole accepted a Division I athletic soccer scholarship to Wright State University where she learned to sign. She has a Bachelors of Science in Intervention Specialist from Wright State University and a Masters of Educational Administration from the University of Cincinnati. She is currently studying a Montessori Education Program and will complete the program in 2009.
Before coming to St. Rita School for the Deaf, she taught Kindergarten and 1st grade deaf children at Fayetteville Elementary School in Fayetteville, Ohio. She also taught basic American Sign Language to families and friends of deaf children. Nicole joined the staff at St. Rita School for the Deaf in 2005 as a Preschool Montessori aide.
Nicole does not hesitate to utilize a variety of hands-on activities and different teaching strategies to accommodate the diverse learning styles of her students. She is a relentless advocate for her students and their families and is determined to provide them with all of the services that they need. Nicole says that teaching deaf and apraxic children is quite challenging and requires a different approach to teaching. It also involves more repetition and one-on-one instruction to get the students to understand what is being taught. Nicole makes every effort to maximize the use of each school day, propelling her students to exceed their wide-ranging goals and expectations. She believes that every child with a disability can succeed in life.
Melisa Greatorex teaches the 3rd to 5th grade Sign n’ Say class. She has a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education from Miami University (Ohio), and 13 years of experience teaching deaf and hard of hearing children at St. Rita School. Before coming to St. Rita, Melisa worked as a substitute teacher for several local school districts. She has taught grades ranging from 3rd through 6th grade.
Having taught deaf students for many years, Melisa was asked two years ago if she would be willing to learn to teach apraxic students. She responded enthusiastically, attending parents meetings and gleaning information from Ellen Brigger on the limitations created by apraxia, and strategies to compensate for them.
With her classroom now filled mostly with apraxic children, Melisa has developed an understanding of some of the behaviors associated with apraxia, and has said she even finds herself “thinking apraxic”.
Armed with this insight, she has worked to create an environment where apraxic children can work to the very best of their abilities.
Sue Sullivan is the lead teacher in the 4-year-olds preschool class. This class includes apraxic, deaf and typical children. Sue has been teaching at St. Rita School in their Deaf Montessori Preschool Program for the last three years. Before that she taught for two years in the Princeton City Schools Montessori Program.
Sue has earned an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Development, and a Bachelors of Science from Xavier University in Cincinnati. She also did her post graduate work at Xavier University, earning her Masters of Education in Reading K-12th grade.
Sue has been married for 36 years, and is blessed with 3 children and 4 grandchildren.
A strong believer in the Montessori model of teaching, Sue has earned her American Montessori Society Early Childhood Credentials from Xavier University. She is also a member of the American Montessori Association and is on the Board of the Cincinnati Montessori Society. Sue has found that the Montessori system works particularly well for her preschoolers with apraxia.
Sue regularly attends the Sign n’ Say parent meetings and other seminars on topics relevant to apraxia as she searches for the best tools for teaching the apraxic children in her class.