Leadership Team
Wendy Deters
Wendy serves as the leader and visionary voice for Child's Voice. She provides support for all the students, families, and staff.
Wendy Deters
Wendy serves as the leader and visionary voice for Child's Voice. She provides support for all the students, families, and staff. Wendy came to Child’s Voice in 2006 as an Early Intervention Specialist, providing evaluation and therapy services. Prior to becoming Executive Director in 2022, Wendy served as the EI/ School Professional Development Coordinator, which included supporting the EI Staff, coordinating the Toddler Program, and facilitating professional development in the school. Wendy is a licensed Speech Language Pathologist and Listening and Spoken Language Therapist.
Rollen Cooper
As the Director of Early Intervention, Rollen works with the babies, toddlers, caregivers, and staff in our Early Intervention program.
Rollen Cooper
As the Director of Early Intervention, Rollen works with the babies, toddlers, caregivers, and staff in our Early Intervention program. He started working at Child’s Voice in 1996 as a teacher in the school program. Rollen holds a master’s degree in deaf education from Washington University and taught at the Central Institute for Deaf in St. Louis and with Chicago Public Schools.
Rich Novy
As the School Principal, Rich leads the School Program, working with teachers, staff, students, and families to ensure that Child's Voice is a safe place for each child to learn and grow.
Rich Novy
As the School Principal, Rich is responsible for the daily operations of our School Program. Rich spent seven years teaching middle school gifted, special education and English language learners English/Language Arts. He spent five years as an assistant principal, where he was proud to help influence and steer policy and curriculum in a way that positively affected the student body and school community. Rich is pleased to be at Child's Voice, as "It’s such a unique place with a history of success in achieving its mission."
Dawn Violetto
As Director of Audiology, Dr. Dawn is responsible for the running of the department on a day-to-day basis, including staff/patient management, budgets, and long-term planning.
Dawn Violetto
As Director of Audiology, Dr. Dawn is responsible for the running of the department on a day-to-day basis, including staff/patient management, budgets, and long-term planning. Dr. Dawn is also a clinical audiologist and looks forward to working with the children daily.
She began her career at Child’s Voice in 2008, when she opened the Audiology department and has worked to expand services for children since, including the addition of the PEHDI program in 2014. Dr. Dawn holds a Doctorate of Clinical Audiology, a Masters in Clinical Audiology and Bachelor’s degree in Communicative Disorders. She is licensed in Illinois as an Audiologist, is an Early Intervention provider and partners with IL Department of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC). Dr. Dawn is also an adjunct professor at Rush University where she teaches a doctoral-level class focusing on Educational Audiology. In her spare time Dr. Dawn enjoys yoga, spending time outside, and cooking for fun.
Child's Voice Staff
Elsa Auerbach
As a teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing, Elsa started working at Child’s Voice before the school opened in 1996 and has taught many different levels at Child’s Voice during her 25 years here.
Elsa Auerbach
As a teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing, Elsa started working at Child’s Voice before the school opened in 1996 and has taught many different levels at Child’s Voice during her 25 years here. Before coming to Child’s Voice School, she was a teacher and lead teacher at Northwest Suburban Special Education Cooperative. She had a private tutoring practice in Palatine and Flossmoor and taught adult lip-reading classes at the Chicago Hearing Society.
She volunteered her services to a private day school and in the Homewood and Flossmoor school districts. and was on contract with The Stan Makita Hearing Impaired Hockey school. She taught for the South Suburban Association and the South Suburban Special Education Cooperative and taught English as A Second Language, English 101 and an Accent Reduction class at South Suburban College.
She received degrees from Northern Illinois University and Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. (Central Institute for the Deaf). She also studied at Purdue University in Michigan City, Indiana and Governor’s State University.
Elsa enjoys being with family and friends, playing the Hammond organ, traveling, and shopping.
“I adore teaching here. It is very fulfilling and an important part of my life,” she says.
Amy Badger
As a Teacher of the Deaf, Amy is a teacher, substitute teacher, and an assistant who enjoys working with the students at Child’s Voice.
Amy Badger
As a Teacher of the Deaf, Amy has many roles. She is a teacher, substitute teacher, and an assistant who enjoys working the students at Child’s Voice. She began her career at Child’s Voice in 2008. She enjoys spending time with her family.
Corinne Bussa
Corinne came to Child’s Voice in 2002 as a parent of a student in Early Intervention, and began working here when her child graduated to the mainstream.
Corinne Bussa
Corinne came to Child’s Voice in 2002 as a parent of a student in Early Intervention, and began working here when her child graduated to the mainstream. As a Teacher Assistant at Child’s Voice, Corinne has worked in both Early Intervention and PII. Corinne studied early childhood education and previously worked at ADT Security Systems as and office manager and in human resources. She enjoys reading, playing cards, and traveling.
Kim Callese
Kim is usually the first friendly face you meet when arriving at Child’s Voice. She joined the team in April 2014, and her current role involves managing the front desk area and working closely with the students, teachers, and staff.
Kim Callese
Kim is usually the first friendly face you meet when arriving at Child’s Voice. Since April 2014, her role as the Staff Assistant involves managing the front desk area and working closely with the teachers and staff. Kim really loves Child’s Voice and everything that happens here; she says it feels like home!
Outside of work, Kim enjoys spending time with her niece, family, and boyfriend. She continues working with children by teaching dance classes a few days a week at her sister’s dance studio.
Robyn Cox
As the Discovery Center Teacher at Child’s Voice, Robyn works with the preschool students, ages 3-5, in a large group setting (8-10 students).
Robyn Cox
As the Discovery Center Teacher at Child’s Voice, Robyn works with the preschool students, ages 3-5, in a large group setting (8-10 students). She focuses on developing students’ early academic and social/emotional/play skills, while targeting speech, language, and listening throughout every lesson. She prides herself in making the Discovery Center a fun and engaging classroom for students to play, learn, and grow!
She began her career at Child’s Voice in 2010 and holds a master’s degree in Deaf Education from Washington University in St. Louis, as well as an undergraduate degree in Speech Pathology from Truman State University. When she’s not at Child’s Voice, she can be found spending quality time with her family. They enjoy things like home renovation projects, visiting extended family, and watching sports (huge Iowa Hawkeye football fans!). Robyn still enjoys reliving her glory days playing soccer on various rec leagues. She can also be found binge watching HGTV or curled up reading a good book.
Julie Deely
Julie received a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders and a certificate in American Sign Language and Deaf studies from the University of Iowa with the goal of becoming a speech-language pathologist.
Julie Deely
Julie received a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders and a certificate in American Sign Language and Deaf studies from the University of Iowa with the goal of becoming a speech-language pathologist. While applying to graduate programs, she worked at Child’s Voice as an aide and substitute teacher, where she fell in love with teaching. In 2018 she was accepted into the Early Intervention in Deaf Education cohort at Fontbonne University in St. Louis, Missouri. She also worked at the Moog Center for Deaf Education in early intervention as their lead toddler room teacher.
She was excited to be welcomed back into the Child’s Voice family in 2021. Julie loves seeing her students genuinely happy at school and believes in the importance of building strong relationships and having fun while learning.
In her free time, she is an avid CrossFit athlete and runner and loves participating in local competitions and races. Recently, she ran a 5k while holding a 7-pound pumpkin. She loves to read and typically alternates between a good, heart-pounding, fiction thriller and non-fiction books.
Madison Degnan
Madison serves as a teaching assistant for the School Program.
Colin Drexler
Colin serves as a teaching assistant for the School Program.
Nina Fistler
As a speech-language pathologist and early intervention specialist, Nina provides speech, language, and listening therapy for children ages 0-3 and their families. Nina sees families in their home, through teletherapy, and provides in-person sessions at Child’s Voice within the Toddler program.
Nina Fistler
As a speech-language pathologist and early intervention specialist, Nina provides speech, language, and listening therapy for children ages 0-3 and their families. Nina sees families in their home, through teletherapy, and provides in-person sessions at Child’s Voice within the Toddler program. She has worked at Child’s Voice beginning in 2018, but has worked with children with hearing loss since 2004.
Nina has an undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Augustana College and a Master’s degree from Fontbonne University in Speech-Language Pathology with an emphasis in deafness. She worked at Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech in Massachusetts prior to returning to the Chicago area and coming to work at Child’s Voice. Nina is a member of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA).
Paige Gallagher
As a Pediatric Audiologist, Dr. Paige serves the pediatric population as both a diagnostic and educational audiologist.
Paige Gallagher
As a Pediatric Audiologist, Dr. Paige serves the pediatric population as both a diagnostic and educational audiologist. Dr. Paige specializes in diagnosing and treating children with hearing loss as part of the Pediatric Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (PEHDI), Early Intervention, and school programs at Child’s Voice. Dr. Paige began her career at Child’s Voice in 2019 after receiving her Doctorate degree from Illinois State University.
In her free time, Dr. Paige enjoys reading, listening to true crime podcasts, and spending time with her friends and family.
Annie Gilmartin
Annie Gilmartin is responsible for donor stewardship, special events, and community relations.
Annie Gilmartin
Annie is responsible for our special events, fundraising events, and gift processing. Hosting special events and fundraising events gives Child's Voice the opportunity to share about the amazing work we are doing to help children with hearing loss learn to listen and speak.
Annie attended the University of Illinois at Chicago and earned her B.A. in Communications. She has spent time working in sports as well as non-profit management. Outside of work you can find Annie ballroom dancing, reading a new book, watching the latest Marvel movie, or cheering on her favorite football teams.
Ryan Holland
As an EI specialist and Teacher of the Deaf, Ryan provides aural rehabilitation services to children from birth to age three and their families.
Ryan Fletcher
As an EI specialist and Teacher of the Deaf, Ryan provides aural rehabilitation services to children from birth to age three and their families. Ryan also works as a Toddler Group classroom teacher in both the Wood Dale and Chicago locations.
Sarah Hoppe
As a Teacher of the Deaf, Sarah Hoppe began her career at Child’s Voice in June of 2005. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s Degree in Early Intervention in Deaf Education.
Sarah Hoppe
As a Teacher of the Deaf, Sarah Hoppe began her career at Child’s Voice in June of 2005. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s Degree in Early Intervention in Deaf Education. She also has a certificate as a Listening and Spoken Language Specialist (LSLS). Sarah worked in a mainstream setting for 3 years, teaching 1st Grade in St. Louis, MO. She is now a Primary 2 (PII) teacher at Child’s Voice, teaching students between the ages of 5 and 8 years old.
Sarah is married with 2 young daughters. She loves to spend time with family, watch movies, go for runs, and try new crafty projects.
One of Sarah’s favorite quote is, “We rise by lifting others.” –Robert Ingersoll
Melissa Hyder
Melissa is the School Counselor, working with students through group and individual counseling and classroom lessons to support their social, emotional, academic, and career goals.
Melissa Hyder
Melissa is the School Counselor, working with students through group and individual counseling and classroom lessons to support their social, emotional, academic, and career goals. She graduated from Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with an Elementary Education degree. With a goal of always becoming a school counselor, she earned a graduate degree from Lewis University in School Counseling.
Melissa is also a Child’s Voice parent. Two of her three children have hearing loss and wear hearing aids. She says, “When my own children were born with hearing loss, I was so unsure of what their future would look like for them. I did not know anybody else with childhood hearing loss. I had so many questions. However, the more I embarked on this journey, I realized the incredible potential and opportunities my children had. With the right support, accommodations, and empowerment, I knew my children, as well as others with hearing loss, can achieve their dreams.” Melissa adds that she loves the mission of Child’s Voice and is passionate about helping other children with hearing loss learn to advocate for themselves, reach their goals, and feel empowered as they succeed in the classroom.
She and her husband Matthew have three children: Landon, Ayden and Sayge. Soccer has been a big part of her life, as she was the first women’s soccer player at Cornerstone University to be inducted into their Athletic Hall of Honor. She currently plays on one league with her husband and also on an all-girls team. She also coaches her kids’ soccer teams. Other free time activities include yoga, going to the beach and paddle boarding, hanging out with her family, and reading.
Carrie Jackiewicz
As Special Services Coordinator, Carrie ensures the success of our alumni in their home schools by supporting families and school staff that work with our alumni.
Carrie Jackiewicz
As Special Services Coordinator, Carrie ensures the success of our alumni in their home schools by supporting families and school staff that work with our alumni. Carrie also is involved in creating and implementing our Strategic Plan. She began her career at Child’s Voice in August 1997 and she taught 115 students when she was a Classroom Teacher. She holds a B.S. in Speech Pathology and Audiology from SUNY Fredonia and an M.S. in Speech and Hearing Science with a concentration in Deaf Education from Washington University at St. Louis (Central Institute for the Deaf). Carrie has been a LSL certified educator since 2008. Carrie sings and plays guitar, ukulele, and banjo.
Kathy Knudsen
As a Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Kathy began her career at Child’s Voice in 2017. Prior to working at Child’s Voice, Kathy worked at Ohio Valley Voices and Children of Peace.
Kathy Knudsen
Lead Teacher Kathy Knudsen began her career at Child’s Voice in 2017. Prior to working at Child’s Voice, Kathy worked at Ohio Valley Voices and Children of Peace. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Deaf Education from Illinois State University and a Master’s Degree in Deaf Education from Vanderbilt University.
During her spare time, Kathy creates and sells interactive digital and printable resources for other teachers to use with children who are deaf or hard of hearing. She also runs a blog to share classroom strategies, activities, and ideas with others.
Dan McComb
Dan is a teaching assistant in the Early Intervention program.
Taylor McGovern
Taylor provides speech and language therapy in the School Program and in the Toddler Group.
Taylor McGovern
As a School and Early Intervention Speech-Language Pathologist, Taylor spends her most of her days interacting with the children through push-in and pull-out speech and language sessions. She also provides speech, language, and listening therapy for families and children in the birth-3 population at Child’s Voice during Toddler Group.
Sarah Miller
As an early intervention speech-language pathologist, Sarah provides speech, language, and listening therapy for families and children in the birth-3 population. She sees children for home-based services, via teletherapy, and at Child’s Voice during Toddler Group.
Sarah Miller
As an early intervention speech-language pathologist, Sarah provides speech, language, and listening therapy for families and children in the birth-3 population. She sees children for home-based services, via teletherapy, and at Child’s Voice during Toddler Group. Sarah began her career at Child’s Voice in the fall of 2019. She received her bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Indiana University and her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from University of South Carolina where she completed a specialty track focused on pediatric hearing loss. Sarah is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
Carol Morency
Carol Morency is responsible for creating our monthly e-newsletters and our annual Impact Report. She also coordinates social media and updates to the website.
Carol Morency
Carol Morency writes and manages grants, and writes and edits the monthly e-newsletter, annual impact report, and many other projects that help tell the world about Child's Voice.
Carol began her career as a community journalist and then moved into public information and marketing for park districts and libraries. At Child’s Voice, she is using skills and experiences from all of her jobs, with the added bonus of being able to watch kids grow and learn daily under the direction of an expert staff of amazing professionals.
Mitch Olsen
As a Teacher of the Deaf, Mitch works with primary-aged students, facilitating and promoting growth in language, speech, and self-advocacy skills.
Mitch Olsen
As a Teacher of the Deaf, Mitch works with primary-aged students, facilitating and promoting growth in language, speech, and self-advocacy skills. He also teaches academics, including vocabulary, reading, and math. He first came to Child’s Voice as a student in 1996 and graduated three years later. He was hired as a teacher in 2019 and has enjoyed working alongside his former teachers ever since.
Mitch holds a degree in Elementary Education from Knox College and a degree in Deaf Education from Washington University in St. Louis. In his free time he enjoys reading a novel, going for a run, and going to the movie theater with his family.
Eliza Salonga
Eliza manages the finances and accounting at Child's Voice. She is currently studying for her Master's in Business Administration.
Eliza Salonga
Eliza earned a Bachelor's in Philosophy, and a Master's of Science in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Kansas. She is currently studying for her Master's in Business Administration. Before becoming Finance Manager, she was the Staff Accountant at Child’s Voice.
Eliza loves reading and writing, caring for her four dogs and going fishing.
"What I love most about Child’s Voice is the mission.," she says. "We are changing lives at Child’s Voice and I am very honored to be part of it."
Jessica Sanders
Jessica manages Child's Voice social media presence, including Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Jessica Sanders
Jessica graduated from Northern Illinois University with a degree in Marketing. She handles all social media for Child's Voice. She loves to fish.
Laura Straka
Laura is the Early Intervention program’s Lead Therapist/SLP. As an early intervention speech-language pathologist, Laura began her career at Child’s Voice in 2010.
Laura Straka
As an early intervention speech-language pathologist, Laura began her career at Child’s Voice in 2010. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Linguistics from Emory University and master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Vanderbilt University. Laura is a certified Listening and Spoken Language Specialist-Auditory-Verbal Therapist and an Illinois early intervention initial evaluator. Laura previously worked at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia with their cochlear implant team from 2009-2010.
Elise Sundberg
As The Learning Center teacher, Elise’s role involves teaching the primary II students (ages 5-7) to listen and speak while having fun in the classroom!
Elise Sundberg
As The Learning Center teacher, Elise’s role involves teaching the primary II students (ages 5-7) to listen and speak while having fun in the classroom! She teaches the students the academic, social, and self-advocacy skills they will need to be prepared for the mainstream. Elise’s favorite part of the day is her morning meeting time with the children where they all have the opportunity to breathe, stretch, and check in with each other before taking on the day.
Elise began at Child’s Voice as a student teacher from Illinois State University. After graduating in 2016, she began as a small classroom teacher and later switched to PII’s Learning Center in the summer of 2019. She loves connecting with her students and their families while supporting their growth. When she’s not at school, Elise spends much of her time reading books and listening to podcasts while walking Chicago’s lakefront trail.
Kim Tasharski
As a Developmental Therapist-Hearing Specialist, Kim provides home-based and center-based Aural Rehabilitation services to children (birth to age 3) and families through Early Intervention.
Kim Tasharski
As a Developmental Therapist-Hearing Specialist, Kim provides home-based and center-based Aural Rehabilitation services to children (birth to age 3) and families through Early Intervention. She also teaches and coordinates the Toddler Group program in Wood Dale. Kim began her career at Child’s Voice in August of 2011, previously teaching in the preschool program for several years before moving to Early Intervention.
Kim earned her bachelor's degree in Deaf Education and Early Intervention certification from Illinois State University. She is an associate board member for The Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources, aiming to organize events that connect children and families with hearing loss in the Chicagoland area.
Brooke Traitz
As an early intervention speech-language pathologist, Brooke provides speech, language, and listening therapy for families and children in the birth-3 population.
Brooke Traitz
As an early intervention speech-language pathologist, Brooke provides speech, language, and listening therapy for families and children in the birth-3 population. She sees children for home-based services and at Child’s Voice during Toddler Group.
Brooke began her career at Child’s Voice in the fall of 2022 as a Master’s student and eagerly rejoined the team after graduation to complete her clinical fellowship. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Strategic Communication from Ohio State University and her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Rush University.
As a student, Brooke was a committee member for the non-profit philanthropy group Hearoes for Hearing at The University of Florida, the secretary on Rush’s National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) board, and a teaching assistant for Rush’s Introduction to Neuroscience course.
Additionally, Brooke presented her student research, “Neuroimaging as a Treatment Outcome Measure for Post-Stroke Individuals with Cognitive-Linguistic Deficits: A Scoping Review” at the 2022 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) convention.
Devan Valentine
Devan is a Teaching Assistant in the School Program.
Olivia Wealton
Olivia began her career at Child’s Voice in 2008. She holds a bachelor’s degree in deaf education from Illinois State University as well as a master’s degree in reading and literacy and is a certified Reading Specialist.
Olivia Wealton
Olivia began her career at Child’s Voice in 2008. She holds a bachelor’s degree in deaf education from Illinois State University as well as a master’s degree in reading and literacy and is a certified Reading Specialist. She currently teaches Primary II children from Kindergarten to 2nd grade. Olivia is a part of the Literacy Committee and helps organize our school-wide reading programs and activities.
In her free time, Olivia enjoys reading, crafting, going for walks, and exploring new places with her family. She loves finding a new podcast to listen to and some of her favorites include NPR: Life Kit, StoryCorps, and The Moth.
As a teacher and a parent, one thing she likes to remember is this quote from Mr. Rogers:
“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.”
― Fred Rogers
Emma Weiner
Emma is a Teaching Assistant in the School Program.
Emma Weiner
Emma is a teaching assistant in the School Program. She is currently studying for her Bachelor's degree in early education. In her free time, she likes to spend time with my family and friends.
"What I like most about child voice is getting to know the kids on a personal level and helping them grow into the people they aspire to be," she says.
Kate Yu
As a Speech-Language Pathologist, Kate works in the Early Intervention Program at Child’s Voice Chicago. She works with children ages birth to three at home and at Child’s Voice to improve their listening, speech, and spoken language.
Kate Yu
As a Speech-Language Pathologist, Kate works in the Early Intervention Program at Child’s Voice Chicago. She works with children ages birth to three at home and at Child’s Voice to improve their listening, speech, and spoken language. Kate also provides therapy to children over the age of three in our Speech Clinic. Kate completed her masters in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Akron, where she was part of a Listening and Spoken Language specialty program. She has worked at Child’s Voice since August 2015.