Emily Yisa has 10 years of experience working with individuals with IDDs. She has volunteered and taught classes through LLWF for adults with IDDs. She started a book club for adults with Down syndrome through DSACT in 2013 and continues to facilitate it today. Emily also taught life skills for 6 years at Crockett Early College High School.

Lori Duran loves history and the joy of a good story. She has a Bachelors in History and a Masters in Latin American Studies and Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin. She captures history with photos and tales in her work including her new book “The University of Texas at Austin: The First One Hundred Years”. She is also a proud mother of an adult with autism and has brought history alive for adults with IDDs over years with our program.

Mandi Severson loves all things biology. She has a Bachelor's in Biology and Human Physiology from the University of Oregon, and she's in her fifth year of graduate school at UT Austin. She's currently working on a PhD in Neuroscience, and more specifically, she studies the visual system. Mandi has been volunteering with LLWF since 2019 and has taught a range of sophisticated science courses with LLWF, such as Optical Illusions, Marine Biology, Adrenaline Junkies, and more. 

Joe has more than a decade of experience educating and advocating for Texans with disabilities. He has worked as a high school special education teacher, educated youth on the legislative process in Texas, championed national disability history, and trained youth from across the country on how to effect social change. Joe also works as Program Manager for E4 Texas, a post-secondary employment training program for 18+ adults with disabilities. Joe firmly believes that meaningful inclusion and having high expectations are the best ways to positively impact the lives of people with disabilities.

Emily Ricketson is a Neuroscience graduate from the University of Texas at Austin. Her experience in the IDD community includes ASD research on campus, providing in-home child care and behavioral assistance for families, caregiving at Marbridge Foundation, and at the Arc.

Sriya Gullapalli is currently a student at the University of Texas at Austin studying Neuroscience with a certificate in Spanish for Medical Professions. Over the past three semesters, Sriya loved meeting and interacting with so many talented and energetic students through the classes with LLWF. She is closely involved in research on campus exploring the neural mechanisms of neurodevelopmental disorders, including Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Kevin Gilbert is a big sports enthusiast, both playing and watching. His favorite sport is basketball. He has a Master’s in Special Education from the University of Oregon and has been teaching at Kealing Middle School for 5+ years in east Austin. He specifically works with kids that need social, emotional, and/or behavioral support.

Kimber Hageman is currently a student at Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas pursuing a double major in Spanish and Health Sciences. Kimber has really enjoyed working with Joshua’s Stage for the past 3 years while here in Austin. In Conway, Kimber loves working at a local preschool, being a counselor for weekend camps at Camp Aldersgate, and volunteering with Community Connections.

Kirk Guthaus has been active as a professional musician, classical guitar and other fretted instruments, for nearly 20 years. Kirk studied guitar and jazz studies at Michigan State University before embarking on an 11 year career with the US Army Bands. After his time in the army, Kirk began  working in public schools in special education where he is currently a middle school Special Education teacher. Kirk also have my Texas music teacher certification and experience teaching classroom music. Kirk holds a BA in philosophy, an MA in humanities, certificates in autism education, musicianship, ethnomusicology and music research, and is currently working towards an MM in music education.

Alicia Chen graduated from the University of Texas with a BS in Neuroscience in 2021. Alicia is currently attending The University of North Texas to get her master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling to become a therapist for adults with IDDs. She has been volunteering and teaching with LLWF since 2020 and has experience working with adults with IDDs in a non-profit agency.

Jad Refaei is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin, studying neuroscience and studio art. He has taught a variety of art courses with LLWF since 2023.

Taylor became involved with Lifelong Learning With Friends in 2021. Taylor graduated from UT Austin with a degree in neuroscience and soon after became a lab instructor for the university. In addition to my academic background, Taylor has over a decade of experience in dance and is currently working on her yoga teaching certification.

Destiny moved from Brownsville, Texas to Austin, Texas in 2015 and began her studies in special education at the University of Texas at Austin. She graduated in the Spring of 2020 with a B.S. in applied learning and development. Destiny has worked with people with disabilities for five years and worked as a special education teacher. She now works as the Senior Academic Program Coordinator for the E4Texas Program. 

In addition to her work with Lifelong Learning with Friends, Meghan Schrader is the Academic Enrichment Assistant at the E4texas program at the University of Texas. She has Masters degrees in Special Education and Music History. She advocates for suicide prevention for people with disabilities through her volunteer work with the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition USA. In 2024 she co-wrote a Religion News Service article with renowned ethicist Charles Camosy about how they feel Christian ethics can advance disability justice. Her research exploring bioethics issues in respect to musical representations of disability was published by Oxford University Press in 2014.

Payton Kahanek is a PhD student at UT studying pharmacology. Payton has a little sister, Korbyn, who has Down syndrome, who has been a major inspiration for her involvement in the disability community.  During her time at Texas A&M University, Payton was involved with Aggie ACHIEVE, a program that supports adults with IDDs in pursuing higher education. 

Dhruva Athreya is a student at the University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School. He has 10 years of experience working with adults with IDDs in recreational support, caregiving, and in the classroom. He worked at Camp CAMP, a summer camp for children and adults with IDDs for many years and continues to volunteer with the organization. He has also worked as a special education paraprofessional. He has volunteered and taught classes through Lifelong Learning with friends for 7 years.

Susan Rozmiarek has been teaching evening classes for adults with IDDs for over five years. While not teaching or at her day job in a neuroscience research lab at the University of Texas, she can be found enjoying one of her many hobbies. These include hiking, gardening, vegetarian cooking and playing board and computer games.

Courtney Williams graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor’s of Social Work in 2011 and has volunteered with LLwF since 2020. Courtney began teaching with LLwF in 2021, offering fun courses about cats and gardening.

Priya Mahableshwarkar is currently a student at the University of Texas at Austin studying Neuroscience with a minor in Anthropology. In high school, Priya was involved in an initiative that helped local students on the autism spectrum connect with students in her high school on a 1-on-1 level.

She fell in love with working with neurodivergent individuals and has been volunteering with LLWF since 2021. Since become an instructor, Priya has taught a variety of self-development courses, such as Social Media 101 and Adulting 101. 

Alisa Ishikawa is currently a student at the University of Texas at Austin studying Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. She has worked with children and adults with disabilities for 7 years, beginning with her involvement with Best Buddies in high school. She began volunteering with LLWF in 2022 and has enjoyed learning alongside students and making new friends.

 Sharanya Karanam is a junior at the University of Texas at Austin. She is a psychology major, currently on the premedical track. Sharanya has been a volunteer for LLWF since January 2024 and has volunteered for 8 different courses.

Valarie Waldo began leading special education classes virtually during Covid. Currently, Valarie teaches functional academics to high schoolers with disabilities.​ Valarie has taught three self-development courses with LLWF, ranging in topics from healthy dating and relationships, overcoming boredom, and emotional regulation. 

Coming soon! 

Sayuri is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin, studying neuroscience. She has volunteered with LLWF since 2023. 

Caroline Lewin is currently a graduate student at the University of Texas at Austin, earning her Masters of Social Work. Prior to entering graduate school, Caroline worked for a Medicaid Waiver Program provider in the Houston area for over 3 years in both direct support and administrative roles. Caroline worked in direct support in the program's day habilitation center turned ISS where she facilitated individualized continuing education curriculum, gardening classes with Fort Bend Master Gardeners, exercise classes with the nonprofit Bloom Fitness, community outings, and supported during music therapy classes. In addition, Caroline supported HCS waiver recipients in their homes in their activities of daily living. 

Ava is a senior at the University of Texas and is graduating in December with a major in biochemistry and a minor in interdisciplinary disability studies.

Savanna is a student at the University of Houston, studying accounting and math. Her experience with people with IDDs first began with her older brother, Ocean, who has Down Syndrome. Savanna was involved with Lifelong Learning with Friends since its inception, when her father, Dr. Jon Pierce founded the program in 2010.  Besides LLWF, Savanna has been active in the Special Education classrooms of ger public schools and was active in the Round Rock Roadrunner Special Olympics team. 

Mary has worked at the Arc of the Capital Area and currently works as a teacher artist for Art Spark Texas. 

Coming soon! 

Coming soon! 

Denise attended Radford University where I studied chemistry along with music therapy. For the last 9 years Denise has worked with special abilities teens and adults providing care, teaching life skills and exploring vast topics. For the last 3 years, Denise worked with Friends Shine Online, a group for special abilities adults and it has been a fun and fulfilling journey. Denise now works as a teaching assistant for Thrive: our virtual day-time program.

Coming soon! 

Mary Maluski is a UT Austin graduate with a BS in Education and MEd in Special Education.  Mary retired from teaching Special Education for 28 years in the Texas public school system on the secondary level and still enjoys doing the best part of teaching; sharing ideas with people who like to see and hear new things. For the past three and a half years, Mary worked part-time with a business that she started with a friend, called Friends Shine Online. Mary now works as the lead instructor for Thrive: our virtual day-time program.