Lou Aymard, Ph.D. is the founding director of The Parenting Center at Anne Arundel Community College. He is a child psychologist who has more than 30 years of teaching and clinical experience working with children and families. He is the author of “Reflections on the Language and Culture of Deaf Americans” and has contributed chapters to child therapy texts about using electronic toys for counseling children. Aymard received the NISOD teaching excellence award from the University of Texas Austin in 2000 and the AACC Student Government Association teaching excellence award in 2001. The International Society for Child and Play Therapy recently presented him with its annual international award for outstanding career contributions to and significant influence on the fields of child psychology and play therapy. In 2004, the Warner Foundation of Baltimore selected Aymard as Humanitarian of the Year for his work on behalf of children and families.

Christine Alexander, Ed.S., is an educational specialist with children who have language-based learning difficulties. Her professional experience includes instructional and diagnostic work with students from kindergarten through college.

Amy Allen-Chabot, Ph.D., is a registered dietitian and associate professor of nutrition. She has worked with children and adults as a clinical practitioner and has considerable experience in weight management and disordered eating. One of her areas of expertise is translating nutrition knowledge into appropriate food choices for optimal health.

Randi Altschuler, L.G.S.W.-G., is a child therapist who has worked with dying patients and their families, including specific group work with children, ages 5-15, who experienced the death of a loved one. She has been a clinical intern at College Park Youth and Family Services and Calvert Hospice, in Prince Frederick, Maryland.

Jennifer Blanchard, L.C.S.W.-C., is a psychotherapist in the Annapolis area specializing in play therapy with children and adolescents. She is also a school counselor, working with children, their families and faculty to promote resiliency as well as social and emotional wellness.

Doreen Campbell is an early childhood specialist with the Behavioral Emotional Support and Training (BEST) program of the TEACH Institute at AACC. She has received extensive training in play therapy and has both clinical and teaching experience with parents of preschool children.

Mary Cissel is Adjunct Faculty in Health/Wellness and Physical Education at Anne Arundel Community College. She has been a Certified CPR and First Aid Instructor for over 10 years with the American Red Cross, American Heart Association and National Safety Council. She is also a Certified Safety Seat Technician for the State of Maryland.

Claire Cole, M.A., is a registered nurse, certified in gerontology. As an adjunct professor of psychology at AACC, she has taught courses in both childhood and aging. She has four children and four grandchildren.

Bernice Conklin-Powers, Psy.D., is a licensed psychologist who specializes in the treatment of children and adolescents with learning disabilities and ADHD. She is currently the school psychologist for Summit School, a private school in Edgewater, Maryland that serves bright students with learning differences.

Diane Crowley, M.A., C.A.C-A.D., A.P.P., has more than 20 years of experience working with adolescents and their parents. She has devoted her professional career to studying teen culture, teen rebellion and the myriad problems that adolescents face growing up in our complex American society. She has an active professional consulting practice with schools and other human service agencies in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area.

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