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  • Home
  • About REC
    • About Us
    • Schedule a Tour
    • Ethics in Education
    • Board of Directors
    • Our Team
  • Program Information
    • Program Information
    • Safety & Security
  • Admissions
    • Admissions
    • Intent to Register
    • Prospective Students
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Join Our Team
    • REConnections Newsletter
  • Support

About Us

History

After moving from NH to the Tampa Bay area of FL in 2014, Dr. Fernald wanted to open a school which sought to offer therapeutic intervention like speech and occupational therapy while individualizing an educational curriculum for each student. She successfully opened a local school, which has since shifted its philosophy and mission from its original focus. So, following the success of a few summer programs with Mrs. Emily Moniz, Dr. Fernald was approached by Lili Bernhardt, a colleague who specializes in working with children who have sensory processing disorders and are Autistic. Together, Dr. Fernald, Mrs. Moniz and Ms. Bernhardt moved forward with making the dream of a DIRFloortime educational center come to fruition.

Mission & Vision

  • REC is a 501(c)3 organization, allowing for tax deductible donations
  • Provide students with special needs therapeutic and academic support while regulating emotions and supporting individual differences by building relationships
  • Private school for children in kindergarten through 12th grade; Mostly follow the Pasco County school calendar; 9 AM – 2 PM Monday through Friday
  • Students may have specific diagnoses such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Speech-Language Disorders, Sensory Processing Disorders, or Learning Disabilities among other differences that may yet to be diagnosed
  • Offer individualized therapeutic intervention in an academic environment

School Team

Our Instructional Personnel have at least a Bachelor degree from an accredited institution, a license to practice in a clinical field (speech/language; occupational therapy) in the state of Florida, or a minimum of three years of K – 12th grade teaching experience.
  • Joleen Fernald, Executive Director, Teacher & Speech Language Pathologist
  • Lili Bernhardt, Assistant Director, Teacher & Occupational Therapy Assistant
  • Donelle Sinnott, Teacher & Speech Language Therapy Assistant
  • Emily Moniz, Secretary & Teacher

Schedule a Tour

Please reach out to schedule a tour of our state of the art facility which offers multiple classrooms, various educational tools and sensory equipment to support learning.  During your visit you’ll meet staff, observe students, and discover more about our unique approach.

Schedule a Tour
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REConnections Education Center

2114 Seven Springs Blvd.
New Port Richey, FL 34655

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