School Age Program

Marissa Shields (room 101)

Nicolette Hoons (room 102)

Hi! I’m Nicolette Hoon, I’m an alumna of Mentor Public Schools and have been part of the CARES family since 2017, starting as a Paraprofessional and becoming a School-Aged Intervention Specialist in 2021. I’ve taught grades K-5 and love being part of the Extended School Year (ESY) program each summer. I’m excited to step into the role of Director of ESY for summer 2026!

I began my educational journey at Cleveland State University, where I studied to become a Moderate to Intensive Intervention Specialist and earned a Graduate Certificate in the Foundations of Autism Spectrum Disorder. I also completed my Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration through Cleveland State, and this May, I will receive a Transition-to-Work Endorsement through Kent State University.

Outside of work, I love traveling with my fiancé, Michael. We got engaged at Dawes Glacier in Juneau, Alaska, and we’re excited to get married in November 2026!

Barbara Lynch (room 105)

I am a graduate of Notre Dame College with a k-12 intervention specialist degree. I started at CARES as a paraprofessional in the 2020-2021 school year. I was hired as an intervention specialist at CARES in the 2024-2025 school year.

When I am not at work I enjoy time with my family. We have a small farm where we raise horses, cows, chickens, turkeys, pigs, and we have one donkey!

My hobbies include riding horses and helping my kids achieve their goals with their own animals. We are very active in the lake county 4h program and I love watching my kids show their animals!

Allison Spisak (room 106)

picture of Allison spisak

I grew up in Mentor and graduated from Lake Catholic High School before earning my BA from Kent State University. I began my career working with individuals with autism in 2009 and have been proud to teach at CARES since 2016. Teaching is truly a passion of mine, and I feel incredibly lucky to have found a path that is both meaningful and rewarding. I especially love working with students with autism because it allows me to be creative—finding unique, engaging ways to help each student learn, communicate, and thrive.

In addition to teaching, I’m involved in a side project called Autism Goes, where we create online resources to help families access places and activities in the community.

Outside of the classroom, I enjoy staying active, reading, and boating on Lake Erie. My husband and I also spend much of our time with our two German Shorthaired Pointers, Griffin and Thor, whose energy and big personalities always keep us laughing.

Amber Land (room 109)

My name is Rylee Yocum and I am pleased to have joined CARES as an Intervention Specialist for the 2025-2026 school year. I recently graduated from Malone University in May 2025, where I was a dedicated student-athlete, competing in cross country and track and field all four years. For the past three summers, I’ve worked at the Civic Center Day Camp, gaining valuable experience working with children. My passion for special education is deeply personal—my sister has Down syndrome, and growing up alongside her inspired my desire to make a positive, lasting impact in the lives of students with diverse needs. I am excited to begin this journey and to create a classroom where all students feel valued, supported, and capable of success.