Staff

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Meet Our Staff

• Marie A. Palladino - Academy Program Director
• Carlos Concepcion – Assistant Instruction Specialist
• Chris Hyson – Assistive Technology Manager
• Ellen Anuzzi – Instruction Specialist
• Wilbur Justice - Assistant Instruction Specialist
• Norene Sabin - Assistant Instruction Specialist
• Jennifer Snyder – Instruction Specialist / Admission Coordinator
• Louise Clark – Administrative Assistant
• Kimberly Ford – Instruction Specialist
• Martha Armstrong – Personal Attendant
• Lynne Maleeff – Career Outreach Coordinator
• Jennifer Steiner - Instruction Specialist

Marie A. Palladino - Academy Program Director

Ms. Palladino was employed by General Electric/Colonial Penn Insurance Company for 25 years. Her diverse work history that qualifies her to orchestrate the current management/leadership role includes managing and training various divisional units of 18-25 staff members, planning, stream-lining and writing procedures within high expectations environments. As a seasoned manager of twenty-five years she left the corporate world to devote the knowledge, skills, and work experiences gained to organizations which dedicate themselves to improving the quality of life for others.

Marie started with Liberty Resources Academy in 2002 as a Training Instructor, within a month she was promoted to lead instructor, and in July 2006 assumed the Academy Program Director position. Her teaching style is to encourage a strong resourceful and analytical environment, motivating the development of critical and creative thinking skills. This is for both students served and to her staff members alike. The Academy's Program is more than just teaching subject matter; it is also instilling learning techniques to energize self thinking, and prepare for on-going productive opportunities. Marie promotes these abilities as they apply to all areas of our lives; they are crucial to competitive employment in today's world, especially where access to knowledge abounds at unprecedented rates.

Ms. Palladino puts great emphasis on quality performance and operates to fashion learning experiences that have a dramatic impact in people's lives.
"Settle for more and more is what you shall have”.

Carlos Concepcion – Assistant Instruction Specialist

Carlos Concepcion started at Liberty Resources doing data entry September of 1998.  Looking for something new and exciting, he joined the Academy in October 2001 as a student and – just a year later – was hired as a teaching assistant.  Using assistive technology like SoothSayer word prediction and an ErgoRest forearm support, Carlos manages multiple spreadsheets and helps students with transportation issues.  In the community, he is also part of Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania Committee where he has a chance to learn from other organizations and pass it on to the students at the Academy.  He is also on the Mayor's Commission on People with Disabilities, brainstorming about different disability issues, especially relating to employment. He has learned a lot from his ten years with Liberty Resources and remains excited to both learn and teach more!

Chris Hyson – Assistive Technology Manager

Chris, a 1999 graduate of Princeton University, came to the Academy in 2003 after diverse experiences in the insurance and museum fields.  In 2004, he completed the certificate program in Assistive Technology Applications through Cal State, Northridge.  Over his tenure at the Academy, Chris has had the opportunity to serve as an instructor for most of the courses; he can most often be found leading Advanced Computers and Assistive Technology in the Workplace.  In addition to classes, he makes sure that our assistive technology is current (or better) and offers help with general technology issues.  Outside of the Academy, Chris provides assistive device and software training for Philadelphia CareerLink staff and others in and around the Liberty Resources community.

Ellen Anuzzi – Instruction Specialist

A former student, Ellen began her time here at Liberty in 2005. Having a background of teaching Literacy and GED courses, she was able to fill the position of Instruction Specialist in Reading, Writing and Math. At present, Ellen also oversees the student tutoring program. For those students wishing to do volunteer work or to work on special projects, they need only call her. She is also involved in preparing a quarterly newsletter, The Academy Times, and completes the billing for the Academy.

Wilbur Justice – Assistant Instruction Specialist

Wilbur Justice comes to the Academy after retiring from the US Air Force after 20 years of service. Looking for something new and challenging, he has joined the Liberty Resources Academy team. While serving in the military, Justice obtained degrees in Business Administration and Education from American Intercontinental University and Central Texas College respectively. He loves to share his passion for education and his dedication for helping others achieve their goals.

Norene Sabin – Assistant Instruction Specialist

Norene Sabin joined the Academy at Liberty Resources in October 2009 in the position of Assistant Instruction Specialist. She offers support in several classes including the TNS classes that help students prepare for work including resumes, interviewing, job searching with techniques and strategies to be confident and successful.

Norene comes to the Academy with a strong Special Education background. She completed her under graduate work at Eastern Michigan University and her graduate work at Loyola University Maryland. She has spent years both in and out of the classroom working with People with Disabilities aged from birth through adulthood. She also worked closely with their families.

Before coming to the Academy, Norene spent the last eight years as the Director for the Employment Program at Montgomery County Association for the Blind. In this position, she worked with people who were blind or visually impaired teaching them job readiness skills including interviewing, resumes, networking, interviewing and how to present their disability during the job search process and within the work environment. Norene is thrilled to be working at the Academy where she continues working with People with Disabilities.

Jennifer Snyder – Instruction Specialist / Admission Coordinator

When Jennifer graduated from Temple University in 2001 with a BA in Arts and Sciences, she sought to work with the community in a nonprofit setting. Starting at Liberty Resources in 2002, she joined the Academy team as an Instructor in 2004. Thanks to her years of experience as a Supports Coordinator, Jennifer brings a specific knowledge of Medicaid waiver funding options to the Academy. In her position as Admission Coordinator, she is also the first point of contact for students who receive their funding through the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. Jennifer specializes in teaching Introduction to Computers, Advanced Computers, and Learning and Study Skills.

Louise Clark – Administrative Assistant

Louise came to the Academy as a student in 2006 with degree from Immaculata University and a background in management and life skills. Her talents were quickly recognized by Academy staff, and she joined the team in 2007 performing a variety of administrative tasks. Within months of her start, Louise spearheaded our drive to contact new consumers using cutomized databse software. In addition to secretarial work, Taste of Technology scheduling, and file management, Louise is also the Academy’s receptionist. Louise is the first person you see when you visit the Academy — always willing to assist students, visitors, or coworkers in need.

Kimberly Ford - Instruction Specialist

An educator with ten years of teaching experience, Kimberly comes to the Academy from her recent advocacy work with the Defender Association of Philadelphia. After receiving her BS in Education from Temple University, she began her career as a certified English and History teacher in Philadelphia’s public schools. She moved on to become a Senior Instructional Facilitator for Johns Hopkins University, working nationwide to increase success in low achieving middle schools. At the Academy, Kimberly works with our reading, writing, and math classes; she can often be found reviewing and improving written work with students.

Martha Armstrong – Personal Attendant

For 32 yrs Martha worked for The Naval International Logistics Control Office processing government paperwork for world-wide aircraft supplies. Martha retired from the government to move into a more people-oriented position and thus started with Bayada Nursing in 2001 as a personal care attendant. Her first duty was to report to The Academy at Liberty Resources. She has been here since the Academy’s first day in 2001 and is now a Liberty Resources employee. Martha loves working with people and enjoys seeing others achieve their goals. She is dedicated and displays a great concern for others. You will always see her roaming from classroom to classroom checking in on the students. She assists them in both personal needs and clerical tasks.

Lynne Maleeff – Career Outreach Coordinator

A consummate networker, Lynne joined the Academy after nearly nine years as Assistant Director of the Employment Program at Montgomery County Association for the Blind. Along with her extensive workplace experience, she worked to establish a Huntingdon Learning Center in Philadelphia. Lynne brings with her a passion to empower others to find fulfillment in their lives by identifying their skills and talents, many of which they don’t realize they have. Herself visually impaired, she has extensive experience with the obstacles (and opportunities) encountered by People with Disabilities in their job searches. Lynne says, “Nothing is more thrilling than to be a part of a job placement that is a good fit.”

Jennifer Steiner - Instruction Specialist

A new resident of Philadelphia, Jennifer comes to the Academy with a background in Information and Referral and Direct Case Management. Jennifer has always believed in the power of work as the key to independence, satisfaction and pride in one’s life. In 2004, she realized a need for change in her own career path and began attending classes in American Sign Language and Deaf Culture at the Community College of Philadelphia. Jennifer further explored social services by volunteering at Berks Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, as a classroom aide working with hearing impaired students, and as a hospice volunteer. She then joined the staff at The Center on Hearing and Deafness (CHAD) in West Chester as the Information and Referral Specialist, where she provided direct services to consumers and their families, demonstrated Assistive Technology, and organized community American Sign Language classes. In May 2009, she graduated from Rosemont College with her B.S. in Applied Sociology. Her professional, volunteer, and academic experiences as both an adult student and a college teaching assistant are valuable assets to the Academy’s dedicated community of learners. She loves motivating students to achieve their goals by sharing her passion for life-long learning.