VIRTUAL CONNECTIONS ACADEMY
Meet The Related Services Team
Ms. Anderson, Ed.S, RN, CCM
Nurse
aanderson@virtualconnectionsacademy.net
Before becoming a school nurse, Ms. Anderson took the scenic route and picked up a few degrees and careers along the way!
She is a Registered Nurse, Board-Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse, Board-Certified Case Manager, and university nursing instructor with experience in emergency, forensic, public health, and behavioral health nursing. She is currently pursuing doctoral studies in nursing with Nurse Practitioner endorsements.
Before trading lesson plans for stethoscopes, Ms. Anderson was a special education teacher and school administrator, earning a B.S., M.Ed., and Ed.S. in Special Education. Her education background gives her a special appreciation for supporting the whole student.
Her nursing philosophy is simple: compassionate care first. She believes every student deserves to feel safe, heard, cared for, and respected when they walk into the health office.
When she's not nursing, teaching, or studying, you'll probably find her practicing Taekwondo , spending time with her family, or wondering why there is always another form that needs to be completed.
Favorite School Nurse Prescription:
A little compassion
A Band-Aid when needed
Plenty of water
And a good sense of humor!
Dr. Boyd, CRC, LCPC
Vocational Counselor
aboyd@virtualconnectionsacademy.net
Ms. Boyd is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) that provides both individual and group vocational counseling/transition services. Ms. Boyd obtained her Master's Degree in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling from the Illinois Institute of Technology, where she is a current Ph.D. candidate. She began her training at New Connections Academy in 2014 and has been a Vocational Counselor for the schools since 2015. Ms. Boyd also has experience working in community mental health and residential settings. Her passion is in research and facilitation of evidence-based interventions for transition-aged students and adults.
Ms. Halfman, MHS, CCC-SLP
(She/Her)
Speech-Language Pathologist
ahalfmann@newconnectionsacademy.net
Miss Halfman is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and a certified member of the American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). She has practiced speech therapy in a variety of settings and is grateful to have been part of Virtual Connections Academy since its inception. She is proud to serve on a team that helps students enhance their communication skills in the educational, home, community and workplace environments.
Dr. O'Brien
Occupational Therapist
aobrien@virtualconnectionsacademy.net
Mr. O'Brien is a licensed occupational therapist holding a doctoral degree in occupational therapy from Texas Woman's University in Denton, TX. Prior to attending Texas Woman's University, he received his bachelors of science degree in kinesiology and psychology from the University of Oklahoma in Norman, OK. Mr. O'Brien has experience across a variety of setting as an OT, improving quality of life and occupational well being for individuals across the lifespan in hospitals, rehabilitative units, and outpatient facilitates. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, visiting national parks, exercising, and cheering on his Oklahoma Sooners.
Ms. Muise, CRC
(She/They)
Vocational Counselor
bmuse@virtualconnectionsacademy.net
Ms. Muise is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) that provides vocational and transition counseling on individual and group bases. She earned her Masters Degree in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling from the Illinois Institute of Technology with an interest in the intersection between neuropsychology and existential therapy. Ms. Muise values diversity and accessibility in taking a holistic approach to helping students build a balanced and successful future for themselves. In her free time she enjoys creating art and attending live music shows.