The Team

Amy Watson, graduate student, is currently working on her Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology at the University of Texas at Dallas and plans to graduate May 2014. She completed her bachelor’s degree at Texas Christian University in 2012. This is her first semester to be a part of the CLASP organization and will be traveling with a team to Zambia this August. Amy has always had a passion for mission work but her greatest passion is working with children. She feels blessed to be a part of this selfless organization and can’t wait to be forever touched by lives on the other side of the world.

Andrew Augustine is a graduate of Southern Methodist University and works as an Account Manager for an IT staffing agency in Dallas, TX. He was born in Iowa but has spent his formative years in North Texas. Currently Andrew lives in Plano, TX with his wife Molly, a Speech-Language Pathologist. Andrew was introduced to CLASP through Molly and is excited to assist such a talented group of individuals who work for such a worthy cause. The opportunity to help a program that seeks to create self-sustaining solutions is what makes him passionate about this organization. He will be traveling with his wife Molly and performing the responsibilities of Operations Director for his first trip to Zambia in August 2013.

Blondine Jean-Baptiste, Respitory Therapist, has worked as a respiratory therapist in adults and Neonate/Pediatric Units for 11 years. She received her Bachelor degree in Respiratory Care at Stony Brook University and masters in Emergency disaster management at Metropolitan College of NY. She is currently a Respiratory Supervisor at Lenox Hill Hospital. For as long as Blondine can remember, helping others whether national or oversees always reside in her heart. She has been looking for an organization that she believes in that shares her passion to help others. Her colleague Shaina introduced her to CLASP as an organization that provides training and education to health professionals in Zambia to improve the survival rates of the children in NICU. Blondine was torn on the fact that there's 10% survival rate of babies in NICU due to the lack of resources and those born with disabilities were considered "curse" and placed in toilets or killed. To be able to help the people of zambia by utilizing her expertise is an honor for Blondine and she's grateful for such opportunity. She is also ecstatic about fulfilling her life long goal of volunteering overseas to give back to communities in need that can utilize her in everyway and her journey starts with CLASP.She believes that giving your time and opening your heart to help others is the true meaing of living not just existing.

Christie Collich, graduate student, is currently studying Communication Disorders at the University of Texas at Dallas and plans to graduate December 2013. She completed her bachelor’s degree in Speech, Language and Hearing Science from San Diego State University in 2012. This is her first semester as part of the CLASP organization and will be part of the team traveling to Zambia this August. Christie feels that God placed a desire in her heart to serve others in foreign countries. When she learned about the CLASP organization, she knew she was meant to be a part of their wonderful work. She views this experience as an opportunity to share God’s love. She feels blessed and honored to be part of this team

Cindy Gill is a C’d Speech-Language Pathologist who is the former director of the Texas Woman’s University (TWU) distance SLP Master’s program, one of the largest in the United States. This program provides coursework and practicum to twenty regions of Texas in cooperation with the Education Service Centers and local school districts through videoconferencing, computer interface, and faculty travel. She received her doctorate at Texas A & M in Commerce and her Master's at Southwest Texas State. While at heart she is a language and neuro specialist, she has, of necessity, learned a bit about distance delivery of training for SLP graduate students. Her hope is that her gifts will help contribute to the successful outcome of this mission. She currently is a professor at TWU and serves on CLASP’s Speech/Language-Pathology Master’s Academic Team (SMAT) which is working to deliver the SLP Master’s program to the Zambian graduate students.

Amber Stehlik, Speech-Language Pathologist, graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with her bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a minor in Educational Interpreting and has a master's degree in progress from the University of Texas at Dallas in Communication Disorders to be completed in August 2012. Amber is interested in working with individuals with hearing impairments and in pursuing a career in Auditory Verbal Therapy to provide listening, speech, and language support for children with severe hearing loss and cochlear implants. At UT Dallas, Amber has gained practical experience with children and adults of all types of disabilities including hearing impairments, intellectual disabilities, neurological communication disorders, and autism. Amber immediately felt the Lord stir her heart as the vision of CLASP International was relayed to her, and feels incredibly blessed and so excited to have the privilege of being a part of something so big. She looks forward to the work to be done in Zambia this year and in future years and is grateful for the Lord's faithfulness and peace given within these pursuits.

Elisabeth Miller, Speech-Language Pathologist, graduated from Fontbonne University with a bachelor's in Speech- Language Pathology and with her masters from the University of Texas at Dallas in Communication Disorders. She currently works for Carter Therapy where she provides diagnostic and therapeutic services to children with cleft palate, autism spectrum disorders, childhood apraxia of speech, articulation and language disorders. Elisabeth also runs Social Communication Groups for children with autism, Asperger Syndrome, ADD/ADHD and nonverbal learning disorders. Elisabeth is excited to be working with an organization that provides training and education to caregivers and professionals in Zambia to improve the treatment and outcomes of children with disabilities. As Maya Angelou said, “When you know better, you do better.”

Emily Ferguson, Speech-Language Pathologist, graduated from Baylor University with her bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from The University of Texas at Dallas with her master's degree in Communication Disorders. She has worked in a variety of settings including skilled nursing, pediatric home health, and inpatient acute care in Dallas. She recently moved to Houston to begin work at The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research (TIRR). She is currently a member of the Brain Injury team, serving adults of all ages following traumatic brain injury, stroke, and a variety of other neurogenic disorders, providing treatment in the areas of speech, language, cognition, and swallowing. Emily is excited to be joining the CLASP team for the first time and feels blessed to have the opportunity to share with others the knowledge and gifts the Lord has given her.

Emily Jones, Speech-Language Pathologist, graduated from Louisiana Tech University with a bachelor's degree in Pre-professional Speech-Language Pathology in 2004. She received her master's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Louisiana State University Baton Rouge in 2007. Since graduation, she has worked in a pediatric private practice and several skilled nursing facilities. Currently, she works at Cook Children's as an outpatient therapist. She provides diagnostic evaluation and treatment for children with cleft palate, autism spectrum disorders, childhood apraxia of speech, traumatic brain injury, articulation, language disorders, and feeding and swallowing disorders. She has a passion for speech-language therapy and for helping others. Believing that everything happens for a reason, she's excited to see what God has in store for this and future trips.

Janita Ross, Speech-Language Pathologist, graduated from Alabama A&M with a bachelor's in Communicative Sciences & Disorders and with her masters from the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville in Communication Disorders. She currently is employed as a Speech-Language Pathologist for the Dallas Independent School District where she provides intervention and remediation to school-aged children with autism spectrum disorders, down syndrome, resonance, articulation and language disorders. Janita also works with the pediatric population and serves clients on the autism spectrum in a private clinical setting. She is excited to be working with an organization that has a heart and passion to educate and serve the individuals of Zambia. Janita looks forward to being apart of a team that will help educate, nurture and improve the quality of life in children with disabilities. She is excited to see how God is going to transform the lives of the participants as well as the people of Zambia.

Jennifer Cranfill Lee, Speech-Language Pathologist, graduated from Texas A&M University with her bachelor’s degree in Special Education and from Texas Woman’s University with her master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She worked at Our Children’s House at Baylor for several years and is now working at Children’s Medical Center as an Inpatient speech therapist. She provides feeding, swallowing, and cognitive-linguistic intervention for the acutely ill pediatric population. She feels completely blessed to have the opportunity to learn from the patients and families she sees on a daily basis. Jennifer attends Northwest Bible Church in Dallas and leads a small group there. Jennifer was a part of the 2011 CLASP International Team and feels beyond blessed to have another opportunity to use her vocational skills for ministry and for making new believers in Christ. She is excited to see what the Lord has in store during this trip to Zambia!

Jill Hannebaum, M.S., CCC-SLP, graduated from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock with her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communication disorders. She then went to The University of Texas in Arlington to complete a master’s degree in business administration. She has primarily worked with children from the start of her career. She currently works for a large hospital system in Dallas at an outpatient pediatric clinic providing diagnostic and therapeutic services, conducting parent education classes, supervising graduate interns, leading continuing education courses for staff as requested, and writing grants to help fund programs. She serves on the board of directors at For Maddie’s Sake, Inc., a non-profit organization with the mission to fulfill the lifelong needs and desires of a special needs girl without losing existing services and a vision for all children to feel a sense of belonging in their community among their peers. For Maddie’s Sake raises community awareness for microcephaly, conducts fundraisers to assist an individual and hosts community socials for children with and without disabilities. This past year Jill assisted stateside to obtain equipment needed for a medical mission in the Ukraine for a newly opened pediatric rehab center. Jill is excited to be a part of CLASP and feels fortunate for the opportunity to assist with the education cooperative at The University of Zambia. Jill is passionate about serving children and families living with special needs and loves seeing sustainability of programs and progress through education.

John Lee, Certified Public Account, graduated from Texas A&M University with his bachelor’s degree in Accounting, and his master’s degree in Management and Information Systems. He started working for KPMG, in Dallas, TX, immediately following graduation, and works in the Risk and Consulting practice as an IT Auditor. John met his wife, Jennifer (a graduate of Texas A&M), at an Aggie wedding. Jennifer is heavily involved in CLASP and has been on 2 previous trips to Lusaka, Zambia. Her passion was so contagious, that she convinced John to lead a trip with her to Zambia in May, 2013. John has a passion for helping those in need by educating and assisting in creating ways for others to become self-sufficient. He is so excited to be a part of the amazing work that is being done in Africa by CLASP.

Kari Keating M.S., CCC-SLP graduated from the University of Tulsa in 2007 with a B.S. in Speech-Language Pathology and a minor in Deaf Education. In May 2009 she received her M.S. from the University of Tulsa in Speech-Language Pathology. Later that year, she moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota to begin working with children with severe and complex disabilities at Children’s Care Hospital and School. At Children’s Care, she has the opportunity to support communication and feeding/swallowing development in children with complex medical and/or behavioral needs. She specializes in developing augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) methods for nonverbal individuals and building feeding/swallowing skills necessary for safety with oral intake. She works with children with autism, CP, TBI, developmental disabilities, hearing impairment, vision impairment, and sensory-motor limitations. Kari is a member of the GI Clinic team and the Sensory Room Committee as well as involved in developing various programs such as an AAC social interaction group and an interdisciplinary feeding and swallowing clinic. She is an advocate for individuals with disabilities and enjoys teaching others to work with this special population. She can’t wait to begin the journey with CLASP and spread awareness and education regarding disabilities worldwide.

Katie Premont, Speech-Language Pathologist, graduated from The College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York with her bachelor's and master's degrees in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She currently works as a speech-language pathologist at Thom Springfield Infant Toddler Services. She provides early intervention home visiting services for children with autism, speech and language delays and speech sound disorders. Katie is passionate about working with the pediatric population and is excited to have the opportunity to use her knowledge and skills to serve children and their families in Zambia.

Kelli Burdick, Speech-Language Pathologist, graduated from Baylor University with her bachelor’s and master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She is currently working at a Rehab and Nursing Center providing speech, cognitive-linguistic, and swallowing therapy for the adult population. Since her undergraduate years Kelli has been hoping for an opportunity to serve people internationally and feels so blessed for this opportunity to travel to Zambia!

Kimberly Fiser, graduate student, is currently in her second semester of the Speech Language Pathology program at the University of Texas at Dallas. She received her undergraduate degree in communication disorders at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. This is her first semester to be on the CLASP team and will be going to Lusaka, Zambia in August. She has always felt a draw toward missions. When she heard about CLASP and how health professionals and students were using their expertise to teach and provide services for people in Africa, she knew she wanted to be a part of it. She feels so blessed to get this opportunity to serve and be a part of an organization so focused on education to improve the lives of others.

Laura Schwabauer, Speech-Language Pathologist, graduated from Western Michigan University with her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She has held regular and per diem positions in a variety of settings including outpatient, long-term acute care, and skilled nursing. Laura has diverse experience working with both children and adults with congenital and acquired brain injury. She recently relocated to Massachusetts, where she has joined an inpatient acute rehabilitation team working with adolescents and adults with neurogenic communication disorders. Laura enjoys breaking through barriers to find creative ways for individuals with speech, language, and swallowing disorders to reach their greatest functional potential. She is thrilled for this opportunity to spread disability awareness and promote growth of much-needed professional resources in a new region of the world. Laura is very honored to be part of CLASP’s mission this year!

Lee Hinton manages all the technology aspects of CLASP; including our distance learning program, websites, and donation platform. On partnering with CLASP he says, "CLASP is doing it the right way, creating sustainable programs that are making a real impact. It's exciting to partner with such a great organization and support the work they are doing across the globe." Lee is the founder of Incite, a consulting firm who partners with non-profits and growing companies to ensure their success through operational strategy, business technology, and growth management. In his downtime, Lee enjoys serving his church, good coffee, and planning his next trip to Costa Rica.

Lindsey Heffron, Graduate Student, graduated from Texas A&M University in 2008 with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. She began working in the education system as a long term substitute and Target TEKS tutor. In 2009, Lindsey began pursuing a career in Speech Language Pathology and attended Texas State University to complete leveling courses. Lindsey is currently completing the distance learning Masters Program through Texas Woman’s University and will graduate in August 2013. She currently works as a Speech Language Pathologist Assistant in Northeast Independent School District in San Antonio, TX; servicing students at a Title I Elementary School. Lindsey has had experience working in both elementary and secondary schools for two years and has also had experience with the adult population in rehabilitation, acute care, and outpatient settings. When Lindsey first heard about CLASP International she knew it was an immediate calling for her to go and serve others. She will be traveling with the team in July to Zambia and feels blessed to have the opportunity and experience to work with an incredible group of people.

I'm a SLP and live in the San Angelo, Texas, area. I work at San Angelo I.S.D. and West Texas Rehabilitation Center. I have worked 23 years in this profession and in the last few years have had the opportunity to supervise TWU graduate students. It has been a learning and growing experience. I'm thankful that God has given me a new opportunity to grow and learn with CLASP! On a personal note, I have three great young adult children. I enjoy participating in the singles ministry at my church, cycling, swimming, and I am currently training for my first triathlon. (I hate the running part!). I also host international students who attend Angelo State University. Yes, I know, I am too busy!

Lyndsay Mendenhall traveled with CLASP in 2010 and has volunteered stateside and worked on the CLASP Academic Team in the past two years. She is excited to once again travel to Zambia in February 2013 to focus on establishing an adult practicum site and to work with the Zambian graduate students. Lyndsay graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Oklahoma. She received her Master’s in Communication Disorders from the University of Texas at Dallas. Lyndsay has worked at Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation in the Day Neuro program for over 4 years. Her focus is evaluating and treating adults with neurological disorders within a multidisciplinary team. Lyndsay loves all things CLASP and feels blessed to use her knowledge and skills to serve Africa.

Mark Andrew Sams, Graduate Student, is currently enrolled at the University of Texas at Arlington, where he will complete his master’s in social work next year. He intends to become a licensed clinical social worker and hopes to work with veterans in the mental health field once all his qualifications are met.
Frequent moves as a child, a military career, and 10 years as a long-haul truck driver have given Mark an interest in different communities and cultures. He is looking forward to visiting Zambia, a country that has been a fixture in his academic research. He hopes his social work training and research efforts will contribute to the mission of CLASP international.
Mark was born in New Orleans, La, went to high school in Delray Beach, Fla, and attended Texas Tech University for his Bachelor’s degree. Mark spent 15 years in the US Air Force where he supervised the maintenance and operations of various aircraft types in Florida, Texas, and Korea. He was deployed to some fairly remote locations in his career, so the limited resources the team might encounter on this mission will not be a new experience.
After many years living in Dallas, Mark recently moved to Ft. Worth, where he provides care for his 83 year-old mother. Both he and Cindy Gill play in “Common Folk”, a folk music group which celebrates each Sunday at Trinity Episcopal Church.

Meagan Bailey, Speech-Language Pathologist, graduated from Clarion University of Pennsylvania with an M.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She has been working as a Speech-Language Pathologist in the hospital setting since 2005. She moved to DFW in 2006 and took a job at Medical Center Arlington working with adults in the acute and outpatient settings. In 2010, Meagan began providing services to infants in the NICU where she realized the overwhelming blessing and responsibility of serving such a fragile population. She learned of CLASP the following year and is so excited to be a part of the 2013 travel team.

Melody Zaragoza graduated from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. She immediately began grad school and earned her Au.D. from Nova Southeastern University in 2007. The majority of her career was spent as an audiologist at the Dallas Ear Institute in Dallas, TX. She had her first daughter, Ansley, in September of 2010 and began working as a contract audiologist in July of 2011. She had her second daughter, Alexandra, in May of 2012, at which time she became a full-time mother. Her desire is to one day return to audiology practice when her children are in school. Melody loves working with her adult cochlear implant patients and her hearing aid patients, both adult and pediatric. She has supervised audiology doctoral students from the University of Texas at Dallas and from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. She is hoping that CLASP will allow her to continue using her skills and passions as an audiologist while she is not working.

Molly Augustine , Speech-Language Pathologist, graduated from Texas Tech University with her bachelor’s degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and with her master’s degree from the University of Texas at Dallas in Speech Language Pathology. She has since worked as a speech pathologist in research studying the best assessment and treatment approaches for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) at the UTD Center for Brain Health. Molly then went on to work as a speech pathologist in the acute care setting treating adults who had suffered strokes, brain injuries, and other neurogenic disorders at Methodist Dallas Medical Center. She now works as a speech pathologist and associate professor at the University of Texas at Dallas-Callier Center for Communication Disorders treating patients, supervising students, and guest lecturing in classes. Molly runs a four-day-a-week preschool for children with language disorders and a group for elementary age kids who stutter. Within each group she runs, she also supervises and trains undergraduate and graduate level students who are pursuing their dream of one day becoming a speech-language pathologist. Molly has a strong passion for learning and passing her knowledge of the field of communication on to others, no matter their age or ability level. She has always had a desire to spread her abilities and skills on a greater scale, outside of her own work environment, to those who truly need and wish to accept it.

Rachel Vanderdrift, special education teacher, graduated from Texas A&M class of 2012 (Whoop!), with a bachelors degree in special education. She worked with the special needs class at her high school and knew then that it was something she wanted to pursue. During her college career she spent a lot of time specifically focusing her time working with children with autism. She is currently teaching a preschool class of children with disabilities. She is so excited to be part of an awesome team!

Sara Adams, a speech language pathologist, received her undergraduate degree in Communication Disorders from Texas Christian University in 2003 and her master's degree in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Texas at Dallas in 2005. She has been working as a speech language pathologist for Cook Children's Medical Center for 5 years. Sara enjoys working with early language disorders and feeding disorders.

Sarah Czerlinsky, graduate student and speech language pathologist assistant, graduated from Texas State University in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Sarah always knew she wanted to work with children with special needs; however, she wasn’t sure in what capacity. In 2010, the Texas Woman’s University TETN speech language pathology graduate program was brought to Sarah’s attention. She felt that the opportunity was one she couldn’t pass up and was part of God’s plan for her to realize her passion and dreams and fulfill His will. She completed 1.5 years of speech and language leveling courses through TWU, applied to the graduate program, and was accepted in 2011. She will complete her Master’s degree in Communication Disorders at TWU in the summer of 2013. Sarah works full-time as a speech language pathologist assistant in Mesquite ISD. She has practicum experience with adults that include dysphagia management and dementia/cognitive therapy. The bulk of her experience is with school-age children and includes assessment and treatment of articulation, language, and fluency disorders. She also has experience working with children with autism, cerebral palsy, and down syndrome. She currently lives in Richardson with her husband of 11 years and 2 boys. Sarah feels completely humbled, honored, and blessed to be a part of the CLASP international team going to Zambia and cannot wait for the journey that lies ahead!

Shannon R Benton, Executive Director of CLASP International and Speech-Language Pathologist, graduated from Baylor University with her bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and with her masters for the University of Texas at Dallas in Communication Disorders. She worked at the University of Texas at Dallas/Callier Center as a speechpathologist for 8 years. She provided clinical services for children and adults in aural habilitation, feeding, fluency, language and speech. Shannon was a member of the cochlear implant team and provided auditory verbal therapy for children with severe hearing loss. She also conducted a summer camp for children and adolescents who stutter. Shannon has provided services for children with all types of disabilities including hearing impaired, autism and craniofacial disorders. Currently, Shannon is the founder and executive director of CLASP International, as well as, practices privately as a speechpathologist with children with a varity of disorders. As this vision has unfolded, Shannon has been overwhelmed by the privilege of being a part of something bigger than self. The process of envisioning a project this huge, building a team and executing the plan has been nothing short of the Lord. She feels grateful and blessed to play a small part.

Victoria Dao, Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Student, graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with her bachelor’s degree in Communication Science & Disorders and is currently pursuing her master’s in Speech Language Pathology at Texas Woman’s University - TETN. In Houston, she works with children with various disabilities, such as autism, cognitive disorders, receptive and expressive language disorders, fluency, and articulation. She will complete her Master's degree in summer 2013 and will continue to make a difference in others. She has a big heart filled with the love and care for the special needs population. Her passion for the field is indefinite.