AAL Staff

Mark Lafferty - Principal

I have worked at the Autism Academy of Learning for more than 15 years, 10 years as the principal and five years as a consultant to the school. My educational background is in psychology and business. I received my bachelors from the University of Toledo, a masters in clinical psychology from Northwestern State University, and an MBA from Bellevue University.

Prior to working at AAL, I worked nine years in the field of psychology at Pinecrest Supports and Services Center, an ICF/DD that supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to reach treatment goals and to return to more integrated community living settings. I have also worked as the business manager for an international psychological assessment company.

I enjoy playing and writing music as well as traveling extensively to new places with my wife and son.

Amanda Richards - Director of Education / Orange Room

I graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education, Mild/Moderate Intervention Specialist. I have been working in the field of education for the past 11 years. After graduating from college, I worked as a substitute teacher for Edison and Norwalk School districts in Milan and Norwalk Ohio. I began teaching at the AAL in 2014 and will finish my 10th year this coming February. I have been teaching in our Orange Room for 10 years and I have served as the Director of Education for 7 years.

Outside of working at the AAL, I tutor children in my hometown of Milan, Ohio, I run the Queens scholarship program for the Milan Melon Festival, coach middle school volleyball, work on DIY and craft projects, and enjoy spending time with friends and family. I especially enjoy spending time with my dog Louis! My heart is at The Autism Academy of Learning and I feel lucky everyday to serve our students to the best of my ability.

Melissa Birdsell - Office Manager

I am proud to say that I have worked at The Autism Academy of Learning for 16 years. For the last eight of those years, I have been manning the front desk as the Office Manager. My youngest son has autism, and in 2004 he started attending The Autism Academy of Learning. I saw this as the perfect opportunity to pick The Autism Academy of Learning as my career path. I began my journey here as a paraprofessional in our red room for 5 years then worked as a vocational job coach for 3 years. I attended Owens Community College majoring in accounting while working at Kroger as the Lead File Clerk.

In my spare time I enjoy baking, cooking, and gardening. I also adore hanging out with my ever-growing family and my long-haired dachshund, Emma. Special Education is my life’s work. I love seeing the progress made in our student’s lives no matter how big or small.

Tamar Easley - Blue Room

At The Autism Academy of Learning, we understand that special education is not a one-size-fits-all solution. That's why we offer a range of services tailored to meet the unique needs of each student we work with. Our team of experts includes special education teachers, behavior analysts, and speech therapists, all of whom are passionate about supporting students with diverse learning needs. We are dedicated to helping students thrive in their academic and personal lives.

Norma Bryant - Brown Room

I graduated from Cambridge College with a Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies and received a Masters from Capella University in Learning Disabilities. I have been working as an intervention specialist at the AAL for the past eight years, prior to my work at AAL I spent nineteen years as a paraprofessional in Toledo Public Schools. Before starting my career in education I served five years as an Administrative Non Commissioned Officer and a United States Marine Corps Reservist for six years. When not working at AAL, I enjoy gardening, cooking, and keeping up on my reading especially in the field of naturopathic medicine.

Nichole Huber - Green Room

I graduated from the University of Toledo with a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on Special Education and received a Masters of Education in Special Education in 2020 and a Masters in Autism Spectrum Disorders in 2022 from Grand Canyon University.

I have worked at the AAL in various capacities, I have worked as a rider and a driver in the transportation department and as a paraprofessional prior to beginning my work as an intervention specialist in 2019. Prior to working at the Autism Academy of Learning, I was a managing cosmetologist and worked at a small local neighborhood store that allowed me a schedule with flexibility as I was the single mom of two young children.

My greatest achievement in life is that I raised two amazing children that have grown into young adults that I am so proud of. I’m a dog mom of two as well. I work at my family’s restaurant when they need extra help and I also style and apply wig changes for various Broadway shows that come to the local theatres. I’m a huge fan of all sports, with many favorite teams, especially Notre Dame.

Sara Boyer - Purple Room

I started in the Blue Room at AAL in 2013 until 2017. After returning from North Central local schools after the 2017-2018 school year I started teaching in the Yellow Room and have transitioned to teaching in the Purple Room. I graduated in 2007 from The Ohio State University with a Masters in Early Childhood Education. In 2009 I finished coursework at Ashland University for the Intervention Specialist certification for learners with Mild-Moderate educational needs. I served as a home instructor for Mount Vernon City Schools in Ohio and an Early Exceptional Educational needs teacher in Vermont before coming to teach at AAL.

Stephanie Armstrong - Silver Room

Gordon Hille - Yellow Room

I was born and raised in Elmore, Ohio and received my undergrad in Political Science from Capital University and my masters in Special Education from the University of Toledo. At my 10 year high school reunion, my former girlfriend and I rekindled our relationship. She had 2 daughters from a previous marriage and she and I had 3 additional children all of whom turned out much better than I did.

I have worked in a variety of settings, ranging from 10 years in the insurance industry, 10 years in the produce industry, helping with migrants to harvest and process fresh cabbage from local fields, and loading them for distribution to various cities. Missing the education profession, I returned to the Toledo Academy of Learning and then to North Point Educational Service Center for students living at an intermediate care facility.
I retired, but continued to teach at Bennett Venture Academy and Solomon Lutheran Parochial School. Happily I am collaborating with an excellent team of teachers and administrators here at the Autism Academy of Learning to help our students learn educational, vocational, and general life skills.

My personal interests are keeping physically active running, swimming, and bicycling.
I enjoy traveling and spending time with my four grandsons. My life experiences continue to confirm my conviction that all people are basically good and we have a theological obligation to help one another become better.