Interim Director of Education; Associate Director of Operations and Clincial Services
Ms. Riggi is a New York State certified School Administrator and Supervisor (SAS) and School District Administrator (SDA) who serves as the Associate Director for Operations and Clinical Services. For many years, she worked directly with students at all program levels at Wildwood School as a certified and licensed Speech and Language Pathologist and then as the Department Lead for Speech and Language Therapy and Chairperson for the Admissions Committee. As Associate Director, Cindy oversees the hiring, orientation, and appraisal process for all staff. In addition, she works closely with Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Social Work, Nurses and Admissions Committee.
Kelly Sagan
Program Coordinator for the Intermediate Level
Ms. Sagan started working at Wildwood School in 2010. She received her Bachelor's degree from Siena College and her Master's Degree in Special Education/Adolescent Education from the College of Saint Rose. Throughout her time at Wildwood, Ms. Sagan has served as a teaching assistant and as a teacher at the intermediate program level. Ms. Sagan is working toward obtaining her School Building Leader and School District Leader Certifications from Stony Brook University, anticipated Spring 2022. She is the Program Coordinator for Instruction at the Intermediate level. Ms. Sagan also helps lead and plans for our summer extension program in Altamont.
John Clausson
Coordinator of Instruction for the Young Adult Program and Transition Readiness Department
Mr. Clausson is the Program Coordinator for instruction at our Young Adult Program. John is a Licensed, Certified School Social Worker and graduated with his MSW from SUNY Albany in 2005. Prior to his new role, John oversaw Wildwood’s Work-Based Learning and Transition Dept. for the past 7 years. He has helped students of all abilities use the skills developed through their education in order to find post-secondary success through employment, OPWDD and ACCES-VR services.
Melanie Hickman, RN
Lead Nurse for Wildwood School Nursing Department
Ms. Ebbing is a Registered Nurse who serves as Lead Nurse for Wildwood School. Ms. Ebbing attended the Nursing Program at the Albany Medical Center School of Nursing. Along with Ms. Ebbing, the Nursing staff provides students with the best healthy learning environment possible. During the year, Ms. Ebbing also serves on several school committees.
Susan Frost, LCSW-R
Lead Social Worker
Ms. Frost is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who serves as the Lead Social Worker at Wildwood School. Sue worked as a classroom social worker at all levels prior to taking her present position. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Welfare from the University of California at Berkeley and her Master’s Degree from the State University of New York at Albany. Sue provides clinical supervision and oversees the development and follow-through of social work outcomes. Sue serves on several committees within the school as well as the agency’s Incident Review Committee. She also works with youth in the community where she co-teaches a youth theater program.
Heather Isabelle, OTR/L
Lead Occupational Therapist
Ms. Isabelle has been the Lead Occupational Therapist since 2011. Prior to this, Ms. Isabelle has been an OTR/L since starting at Wildwood in 1999. She received her Occupational Therapy degree from Quinnipiac College and is registered and licensed to practice in New York State.
Kelly McKnight, MS, LBA, BCBA
Lead Behaviorist
Ms. McKnight is a Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who serves as the lead behavior specialist at Wildwood School. She received her Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology from Georgia State University and has experience providing behavioral assessment, consultation, and training in clinics, schools, and home settings. Ms. McKnight supervises the members of the behavior support department and her interests include using applied behavior analysis to address challenging behaviors, as well as, training others on the application of behavior analytic principles.
Cheryl Nelson, PT
Lead Physical Therapist
Ms. Nelson is a licensed physical therapist, and is registered and licensed to practice in New York State. Ms. Nelson graduated with honors from Russell Sage College receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in physical therapy. She has been a part-time member of the Wildwood School staff since 1997. Ms. Nelson has prior pediatric physical therapy experience from Capital Region BOCES and private practice. In addition to pediatrics, she stays active in the area of rehabilitative physical therapy.
