Our Team
Nicole Heal, PhD, BCBA
FOUNDER
Dr. Nicole Heal earned her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education at the University of Maine at Farmington. She first applied her degree at a developmental preschool run by the May Institute in Freeport, Maine. This position introduced her to the power of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) technology and procedures in teaching young learners on the Autism Spectrum. Seeking to learn more about ABA, Nicole moved to Kansas to work with Dr. Greg Hanley in the Behavioral Science Department at the University of Kansas where she earned her Master's and Doctoral degrees. Dr. Heal’s research interests included evaluating efficacious and preferred learning contexts for young children and assisted in developing and evaluating the Preschool Life Skills curriculum (Hanley, Heal, Tiger, & Ingvarsson, 2007). Dr. Heal's career and expertise are far-reaching: Assistant Professor at Southern Illinois University; Director of Professional Development, Training, and Research at Melmark New England; Public School Behavior Analyst, Director of Training at the Margaret Murphy Centers for Children; and most recently, the Site Director of the Margaret Murphy Centers for Children in Saco. Over the years Nicole has professionally contributed to the field of behavior analysis through peer-reviewed publications, editorial work, conference presentations, and co-authoring a book chapter. Nicole's current role as the co-founder and Director of Skills for Life allows her the opportunity to fully give back to the early childhood special education community once again. In her spare time, Nicole enjoys being active with her daughter and family. She also is an annual participant in Tri For A Cure.
Ashley St. John, PhD, BCBA
Ashley St. John, PhD, BCBA began her career serving individuals with developmental disabilities right after undergrad when she spent two years working with a girl with autism. She then received her doctorate in Developmental Psychology from Boston University where she studied the development of preschooler’s executive functioning and brain development. She published widely on factors affecting the development of executive functioning as well as the development of children’s physiological stress systems and brain development. However, Ashley missed the direct clinical work with students and their families. Therefore, following graduate school, Ashley began working as an educational technician and completed her supervision to be a BCBA. Ashley then worked as a BCBA and Lead Behavior Analyst under the mentorship of Nicole at the Margaret Murphy Centers for Children-Saco. Ashley has developed clinical systems and tools to best support all students. She greatly values mentorship and training and focuses on supporting her staff in their roles as supervisors. She emphasizes communication, compassion, and evidence-based practices. Outside of Skills for Life, Ashley enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, dog, and two cats. She loves all things outdoors from gardening to camping.
FOUNDER