A little about
Our WISE Team
WISE Staff
Our program is staffed by Certified Speech-Language Pathologists who are also Certified Listening and Spoken Language Specialists. They have over 80 years combined experience working with children with hearing loss and their families. Certified Speech-Language Pathologists provide classroom support in the WISE Toddler group and Preschool classrooms. They also provide individual speech therapy sessions for children with typical hearing. Trained paraprofessionals provide classroom support and assist in preparing therapy materials.
WISE Volunteers
Volunteers are critical to the success of WISE. Our volunteers provide assistance to the staff and children in our preschool classrooms. Volunteers help with classroom activities, snack, music, and art. Volunteers may also provide one on one instruction to children. Volunteers are required to complete a background check. If you would like to learn more about volunteering at WISE, please fill out the volunteer form.
Nancy Gregg
Director
Speech-Language Pathologist
LSL Certified Auditory-Verbal Therapist
Nancy Gregg is a Speech-Language Pathologist and Listening and Spoken Language Certified Auditory-Verbal Therapist. She earned her undergraduate degree in Communication Disorders from Auburn University and graduate degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of South Alabama. Nancy completed training in Auditory-Verbal Therapy at the Listen Acoupedic Center in Denver, CO and worked for the University of Tennessee Child Development Center and the Memphis Oral School prior to joining the team at Children’s of Alabama. With more than 30 years’ experience in Auditory-Verbal practice, Nancy has extensive experience coaching and supporting families, mentoring professionals towards certification, and consulting with school systems. Nancy served as the Director of the Children’s Center for Hearing Impaired, now known as the Children’s HEAR Center and worked to establish the Cochlear Implant Team. Nancy has presented at many professional conferences. Nancy served as a founding member of the Alabama School for Hearing, now known as WISE. Nancy is a member the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), holds Certification of Clinical Competency (CCC) from ASHA. She is also a Listening and Spoken Language Specialist – Certified Auditory-Verbal Therapist through The Alexander Graham Bell Association. She holds a state license from the Alabama Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. Nancy is dedicated to assuring that every family who desires a listening and spoken language outcome for their child has access to accurate information, access to quality services, and support from other families have chosen an LSL outcome for their child. Nancy serves as the Director of WISE.
Whitney Preg
Audiologist Technician
Whitney graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders. She has worked in various clinical and educational settings including the Children’s HEAR Center as their audiological technical aide. Whitney is excited to be a part of the WISE team and looks forward to helping reach out to surrounding communities to identify hearing loss in children and educate their families on what local resources are available. In her free time, you can find her listening to movie scores, knitting, napping, or hanging out with her husband, Nate, and their two sons, Jones, and Fisher.
Jesslynn Faught
Speech-Language Pathologist
Jesslynn Faught is a licensed and certified Speech-Language Pathologist. Originally from Birmingham, AL, Jesslynn received her undergraduate degree in Communication Disorders and her Masters of Communication Disorders from Auburn University. She has worked in the outpatient clinic setting at Children’s of Alabama for over ten years serving patients from birth to eighteen years of age with a variety of cognitive and developmental disorders. Her clinical areas of interest include evaluation and treatment of children with language delay, articulation/phonological impairment, resonance disorder related to cleft lip/palate, AAC, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Jesslynn currently holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language Hearing Associate and a state license from the Alabama Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. Jesslynn is excited to join the WISE Huntsville team and begin serving children and families in the North Alabama area. In her spare time, Jesslynn enjoys reading, playing tennis, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
Kamryn Pruitt
Early Intervention Service Coordinator
Kamryn is from Hattiesburg, MS. She graduated from Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Science in Educational Psychology with a Concentration in Counseling. After completing her degree, she worked in childcare for a little under two years before entering the Early Intervention field through the MS Dept. of Health. She is excited to be joining WISE to continue exploring the field of Early Intervention and helping children reach their full potential. In her free time, Kamryn enjoys traveling, listening to books on Audible, playing The Sims 4 and spending quality time with friends and family.
Jill Musgraves
Early Intervention Service Coordinator
Speech-Language Pathologist
Jill Musgraves is a Speech-Language Pathologist with 4 years of experience in the pediatric population. She earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Samford University, then continued at Samford to receive her Master’s of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. Jill completed her fellowship in the UAB LEND Program at the Civitan-Sparks Center, then began her career working at a behavioral center before transitioning to in-home private practice. Jill is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), holds Certification of Clinical Competency (CCC) from ASHA, and holds a state license from the Alabama Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. Over the course of her career. Jill has found great interest in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and is trained in Language Acquisition through Motor Planning. Additionally, she has experience with early language, speech sound disorders, fluency, and Autism. Jill’s pursuit of speech-language pathology began with her personal journey with hearing loss as a child and has driven her interest in pursuing a certification in Listening and Spoken Language. When not at work, Jill can be found reading, playing tennis, and hanging out with her many nephews/nieces and cat!
Elizabeth Kelly
Speech-Language Pathologist
Elizabeth Mize attended the University of Alabama, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Communicative Disorders and her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. During graduate school, she completed her externship at WISE and gained valuable experience treating children with hearing loss while working alongside Listening and Spoken Language Certified Auditory-Verbal Therapists. Following graduate school, Elizabeth completed her clinical fellowship in speech-language pathology at the UAB Civitan-Sparks Clinics, a multidisciplinary clinic that serves children with a variety of neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly Autism Spectrum Disorder. Elizabeth is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from ASHA, and holds a state license from the Alabama Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. She has experience treating children with a variety of speech and language impairments in both school and outpatient clinic settings. Elizabeth has always been passionate about working with the pediatric population, and she is excited to return to WISE to continue serving children and their families.
Sydney Crosthwait
Speech-Language Pathologist
Sydney Crosthwait is a Speech-Language Pathologist with a Certificate of Clinical Competency (CCC) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). She graduated summa cum laude from The University of Mississippi’s Sally McDonell Barksdale Honors College with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD). She completed a capstone research project, including a written thesis and oral defense, exploring the effects of tactile prosthetic feedback on fluency through a smartphone application. She also holds a Master of Science in CSD from The University of Mississippi, where her experience was enriched as a graduate assistant. Sydney completed her fellowship at Magnolia Speech School, an OPTION school serving children with diverse communication-related diagnoses. She continued at Magnolia, where she gained invaluable experience evaluating and treating children in both clinical and educational settings. Sydney finds purpose in helping children become effective, confident communicators!
Melissa Romeo
Finance Manager
Melissa Romeo is the Finance Manager for WISE. She attended the University of Alabama and received her B.S. degree from Birmingham-Southern College. She has worked in non-profit finance and marketing for over twenty years. Prior to working for WISE, formerly Alabama Ear Institute, she worked in event planning, marketing and sponsorships for McMillan Associates and City Stages Music Festival, as well as a Senior PGA tour golf tournament. She has been very active in the community for over 15 years and has served on several boards and committees. Melissa is a native of Birmingham and along with her husband, Jonathan, have two sons, Knox and Bryce.
Morgan Simmons
Preschool Assistant
Morgan Simmons graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and a minor in Social Work. Morgan has worked in education for over 12 years in a variety of settings, spending the last 8 years on the special education team at Oak Mountain Elementary School. She is excited about joining WISE to continue her dedication and passion for working with young children. When she is not working, Morgan enjoys spending time with her husband, Craig and their four children, traveling, reading and staying active.
Lindsey Kearley
Administrative Assistant
Lindsey Kearley joins WISE with 14 years of Administrative experience. A native of Atlanta, Georgia, she has worked in a variety of settings including Construction Project Management, Business Development, and Hospitality. Throughout her career, Lindsey has received recognition for her professional achievement, dedication, and service to others. In her spare time, she enjoys writing, traveling, interior design, and spending quality time with her husband, Brian, and gray tabby cat, Marley.
Amber Roberts
Office Manager
Amber Roberts joined WISE as the Office Manager in 2022. Amber studied at Wallace State College and graduated in 2006. A mother of two, her youngest daughter, Amelia uses both a cochlear implant and a hearing aid. Amber chose listening and spoken language as Amelia’s communication mode and has maintained a steadfast commitment to the approach. Amelia graduated from WISE in 2017. As Amelia grew, Amber joined Alabama Hands & Voices to walk along other parents on the same journey. Amber’s personal and service experiences have uniquely equipped her to jump in at WISE with both feet.
Julie Carden
Early Intervention Service Coordinator
Early Intervention Internal Monitor
Julie Carden has a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology. Prior to working in Early Intervention, she worked for five years administering neuropsychological and psychological testing. She then found her passion with Early Intervention in 2007 and has continued to work in Early Intervention in various capacities. She worked as a Service Coordinator for 13 years and as Director of Program Services at UCP Huntsville for 11 years. She has served on various state subcommittees through the Alabama Early Intervention program and conducted eligibility evaluations as a private vendor. She continues to assist with the annual Alabama Early Intervention and Preschool Conference and with Early Intervention required trainings. Outside of Early Intervention, Julie’s interests include running, yoga, travelling, camping, hiking, and reading.
Wendy Piazza
Speech-Language Pathologist
LSL Certified Auditory-Verbal Therapist
Wendy Piazza is a Speech-Language Pathologist and Listening and Spoken Language Certified Auditory-Verbal Therapist. She earned her undergraduate degree in Communication Disorders from Auburn University and a graduate degree in Speech/Language Pathology from the University of South Alabama. Wendy served as the director of the Children’s HEAR Center at Children’s Hospital for several years. She has extensive experience working with young children with a variety of communication delays/disorders. Wendy holds a state license from the Alabama Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. She is also a Listening and Spoken Language Specialist – Certified Auditory-Verbal Therapist through The Alexander Graham Bell Association.
Sarah Kate Crispell
Speech-Language Pathologist
Sarah Kate attended Western Kentucky University, earning her Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders, before completing a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology at Samford University. As part of her degree program at Samford, Sarah Kate was selected for a clinical externship at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, gaining invaluable experience by serving children with oncologic/hematologic diagnoses and their families. This experience piqued her interest in focusing on treatment of the whole child as well as helping parents and caregivers. Prior to joining the WISE team, Sarah Kate completed her clinical fellowship with Birmingham City Schools. In her free time, she enjoys a cup of coffee with friends, needlepointing, and instructing at a nearby workout studio in town.
Sharion Gordon
Early Intervention Developmental Specialist
Sharion Gordon is an Early Intervention Developmental Specialist at WISE. She has 11 years of experience teaching children in early childhood. Specializing in Child Development, Sharion uses her experience to encourage and support families assist their children to progress and reach their goals. Sharion graduated from the University of Mobile with a Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development and Master of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education. When she is not working, Sharion loves spending time with her baby, Sadie, who is a recent graduate of Early Intervention.
Kelli Ellis
Speech-Language Pathologist
LSL Certified Auditory-Verbal Therapist
Kelli Ellis is a Speech-Language Pathologist and Listening and Spoken Language Certified Auditory-Verbal Therapist. She attended Auburn University, where she earned an undergraduate degree in Communication Disorders and graduate degree in Speech/Language Pathology. She has worked in early intervention, elementary/middle schools, outpatient clinics and spoken language preschool settings. She started her journey toward Auditory-Verbal Therapy as a teacher for children with hearing loss in an oral resource classroom before serving as a therapist on a cochlear implant team at Children’s of Alabama. After moving to Chattanooga, Tennessee, Kelli continued serving children with hearing concerns in an outpatient clinic setting. During her five years in Tennessee, she worked with the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) regional task force aimed at improving follow-up and intervention for families of children with hearing loss in the Chattanooga area. In 2019, Kelli was asked to be part of the Tennessee Department of Health Advisory Council for the Newborn Screening Follow-up Program. Kelli has presented at many conferences and schools and enjoys sharing her passion for listening and spoken language and the development of language and pre-literacy skills in young children. Kelli has over 18 years of experience in the evaluation and treatment of children with hearing loss as well as other developmental concerns. She returned to Birmingham, Alabama in June 2020 and is excited to join the team at WISE.
Natalie Orona Baldwin
Speech-Language Pathologist
LSL Certified Auditory-Verbal Therapist
Natalie Orona Baldwin is a Speech-Language Pathologist and Listening and Spoken Language Certified Auditory-Verbal Therapist. She received her undergraduate and graduate degrees in the field of Communication Disorders from Auburn University. Throughout her career, Natalie has helped hundreds of children and their families achieve spoken language. She has worked in a variety of settings including a multidisciplinary cochlear implant team, outpatient clinics, spoken language preschool, GA public schools and the private school setting. She has extensive knowledge in treatment of children with Hearing Loss/Cochlear Implants, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, as well as a variety of other developmental delays. Natalie has served as an Auditory-Verbal Therapy mentor to graduate student interns, teachers of the deaf and Speech-Language Pathologists who serve hearing impaired students with cochlear implants in the school setting. She has presented at many professional conferences and enjoys advocating for families to access listening and spoken language services for their children. While working at the Children’s of Alabama Hospital, Natalie was one of the founding members of the WISE school in Birmingham, AL. Natalie works with WISE in the development and leadership of the parent advocacy group.
Helen Lee Miles
Audiologist
Helen Lee Miles earned her Bachelor’s of Arts in Communicative Disorders from the University of Alabama and her Doctorate of Audiology from the University of Memphis. Her love for audiology was influenced by her aunt and uncle, who are both audiologists. During graduate school, she completed her internship here in Birmingham at the UAB Civitan Sparks Clinics, which is a multidisciplinary clinic that provides services to children and adults with a variety of learning disabilities, developmental delays, or behavioral challenges. She collaborated with St. Jude’s Research Hospital during her graduate research to study speech perception in noise for bilingual children. After graduation, she moved back to the Birmingham area with her husband, Graham, and dog named Gibson. In her spare time she is often spending quality time with friends and family, enjoying a good book, or holding a paintbrush. After starting her career in an ENT setting, she is excited to return to her passion of serving children who are deaf and hard of hearing and their families.
Leigh Ann Alexander
Audiologist
LeighAnn Alexander earned her Bachelor of Science in Deaf Education from the University of Montevallo, her Master of Science in Audiology from The University of Alabama, and her Doctorate in Audiology from Pennsylvania College of Optometry – School of Audiology. She joins WISE with 26 years of experience in the evaluation and treatment of individuals with hearing loss. Dr. Alexander has practiced in a wide variety of settings including private practice, ENT clinics, and education, most recently serving as Shelby County Schools as Educational Audiologist. Anytime she is not in the clinic, she can be found spending time with her husband of 26 years, Jamie, and their three children, Eli (wife Kirby), Jill, and Luke, along with her beloved pups Ivy and Finn.
Jennifer Slovensky
Teacher
Jennifer Slovensky is a National Board Certified Teacher with 26 years of experience working at Oak Mountain Elementary in the Shelby County School System. She holds a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education from UAB and a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Mississippi. Jennifer lives in the Oak Mountain community with her husband and two children. When she is not working, Jennifer enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Denise Wilkes
Early Intervention Service Coordinator
Teacher of the Deaf and Hearing
Denise Wilkes is a teacher for the deaf and hearing with 28 years of experience. She has worked with children of all ages and is fluent in American Sign Language; she has also had training in the Auditory-Verbal approach. Denise has extensive experience in the use of assistive listening devices, providing staff training and the management of equipment for Shelby County Schools‘ Deaf Education program. She is married and has two daughters, Tamar and Olivia. Tamar is a senior at Auburn University earning a degree in nursing and Olivia is entering 7th grade at Berry Middle School. Denise and her husband, Billy, are both musicians and lead worship for their church.
Rachel Bailey
Teacher of the Deaf
Rachel Bailey is a teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing with training in the listening and spoken language approach. Originally from Opelika, AL, Rachel earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Disorders from Auburn University and her Master of Science in Deaf Education from Washington University in St. Louis. During graduate school, she had the opportunity to work with schools such as The Moog Center for Deaf Education and Central Institute for the Deaf while completing her practicum experience. After graduation, she moved back to Alabama and worked as an itinerant teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing in the public school system. She is currently pursuing certification in Listening and Spoken Language through the Alexander Graham Bell Association. In her free time, Rachel can most likely be found curling up with a good book, enjoying coffee with friends, or playing with her three cats.
Te’Aundra Mosley
Early Intervention Service Coordinator
Te’Aundra Mosley graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communicative Disorders minoring in Human Development and Family Studies. During undergrad, she served as a member of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association where she increased her leadership skills and gained an extensive understanding of speech disorders and hearing loss. Te’Aundra worked at the Child Development Research Center during her time at UA as a long-term substitute teacher, increasing her love and desire to work with children. After graduation, she became certified in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). During the last two years, Te’Aundra worked for an international education company that specializes in English language training. During her free time, she enjoys traveling, and spending time with her daughter and puppy.
Monya Peppers
Speech-Language Pathologist
LSL Certified Auditory-Verbal Therapist
Monya Peppers is a Speech-Language Pathologist with two decades of experience working with students to improve educational outcomes by building communication, academic, and social skills. She taught preschool and kindergarten in a Christian school for seven years and worked as a school based SLP in Alabama public schools for thirteen years. Monya received an undergraduate degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Montevallo and a Master of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Alabama A&M University. She currently holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, a state license from the Alabama Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, and a teaching certificate in Speech-Language Impairment from the Alabama State Department of Education. Monya is passionate about building strong communication skills in all students, as an investment in our students’ futures, as well as in our community’s future. Monya loves to spend time with her family and travel to new places.
Wade Hancock
MARKS Driver
Wade Hancock retired from Cullman County Schools after 34 years. He was a school bus driver and welding instructor at the Cullman County Career Center. During his time in the classroom, his students won several state national awards. Following his retirement, Wade worked for the Cullman area rural transportation system from 2011 to 2021. In 2016, 2018, and 2019, Wade won the community transportation association of America National ROADEO contest. In 2018 and 2019, he was selected as the national driver of the year. He is the only driver to win the ROADEO and driver of the year back to back. In 2020, he became the driver trainer/safety officer and ROADEO coordinator for the transportation system. After 2 years he decided it was time to slow down some. Wade currently lives on the farm his great granddad purchased in 1892 with his wife Lynn and a fluffy dog named Fairy.
Heather Griffin
Speech-Language Pathologist
LSL Certified Auditory-Verbal Therapist
Early Intervention Service Coordinator
Heather Griffin is a Speech-Language Pathologist and Early Intervention Service Coordinator who has been serving children from birth to age three and their families in the Mobile area since 2008. She received a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Montevallo and a Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from Vanderbilt University. Heather holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association and a state license from the Alabama Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. She is currently pursuing certification as a Listening and Spoken Language Specialist through the Alexander Graham Bell Association. As part of the WISE team, she can continue to provide essential early intervention services and also expand into providing Listening and Spoken Language resources to children of any age in Mobile and surrounding counties.
Paige Merritt
Early Intervention Service Coordinator
Early Intervention Developmental Specialist
Paige Merritt is an Early Intervention Special Instructor and Service Coordinator for WISE. She is originally from Houston, Texas and has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Houston- Clear Lake. Paige has worked in mental health and law enforcement for over 10 years in a variety of settings. She has always wanted to help the minds of young children and give back to her community.