Meet Our Board of Directors
Joan Kappus, President/FASP Liaison
My interest in school psychology began when I met Cecil Reynolds. I studied with him at TAMU and had the opportunity to explore many facets of neuropsychology and participated in countless research projects. I became a school psychologist and NASP member 34 years ago and worked for several school districts in central Texas before moving to Miami. I began working for M-DCPS in January of 2006 and continued my career here. Additionally, I do field research as an examiner for Pearson and enjoy participating in the standardization of new instruments.
I joined DASP upon my arrival here and proudly served on the executive board for over three years. I am currently in my fifth term as the South Regional Rep and my second year as the CE Coordinator for FASP. I believe my continued involvement in state and county organizations has kept me abreast of current issues in school psychology. I volunteer because I believe it is a great way to promote and advocate for our profession. My specific interests lie in the areas of neuropsychology, counseling interventions, and differential diagnosis.
Dr. Migdalia Coubertier, Past President
Dr. Migdalia Coubertier began her career as a school psychologist in 1990 however, prior to that she was a teacher in MDCPS. She taught 3rd grade and then returned to her hometown of New York City where she continued to teach. It was during that time in New York that she went to work for a private school called The Blueberry Treatment Center for the Severely Emotionally Disturbed. This experience of working with students with such great needs and professionals that were dedicated to their well-being sparked a desire to pursue a degree in school psychology. While teaching at Brooklyn’s High School for Telecommunication Arts and Technology she enrolled in Brooklyn College’s school psychology program. Her internship included working with Dr. Giuseppe Costantino, the creator of the TEMAS test, at the Sunset Park Mental Health Center and participating in the norming of the instrument.
Dr. Coubertier returned to MDCPS in 1990 and began work at Miami-Carol City High School in their SED program where she met amazing professionals. Her path then took her to Ruth Owens Kruse where again she encountered dedicated colleagues and children in need of assistance. During this time Dr. Coubertier welcomed the birth of her two children who are now adults.
Several years working as an itinerant school psychologist helped to develop relationships and a desire to do more. In 2005 Dr. Coubertier left MDCPS to work in a private school. There under the title of Assistant Principal she was able to learn of developing programs, curriculum and managing and supervising faculty and staff. However, after 4 years she returned to MDCPS as a school psychologist, her passion.
Dr. Coubertier obtained her doctorate from Barry University under a grant program titled Project S.E.L.E.C.T. (Special Education Leaders Ethnically and Culturally Trained). She was able to become the Chairperson for School Psychologists in the North Area from 2012-2017. Mentoring and welcoming new psychologists into the field have become a source of joy.
Now, having gone full circle and returning to the schools, Dr. Coubertier is enjoying this time of reconnecting to the needs of the children and the needs of the school staff and faculty.
Dr. Chrisanne Fordik, Secretary
I am currently serving as the secretary of DASP. I have previously served as secretary on the Miami Dade County Council PTA/PTSA Board as well as several local unit PTAs along with Service Unit 8 of Girl Scouts of Tropical Florida.
I have worked as a school psychologist, since 2003 for Miami Dade County Public Schools. Prior to that, I worked as a school psychologist in Utah, Wyoming, and Oregon. I have a doctorate in Clinical Neuropsychology with a child emphasis. I am also fluent in Spanish.
Norka Conception, Treasurer
Norka Gonzalez Concepcion has served as treasurer on the DASP Executive Board for several years. She began her career in Special Education working as a special education teacher servicing the severely emotionally disturbed (SED) with The Bertha Abess Children’s Center agency, a co-venture special day treatment program serving the most severe children in Dade County Schools. She then became a center chairperson and ultimately a Psycho-educational Specialist for district office supervising the BACC 57 centers. Her career as a school psychologist began in 2004 until her retirement in 2015.
She also served as an EBD clinician, has trained, supervised and mentored graduate students for many universities. Her areas of interest and expertise have always been behavioral/emotional disorders as well as autism and learning disabilities. Advocating for children’s rights has always been her passion. Currently, Norka is retired and working a thriving private practice as well as providing care and support for her 6 grandchildren.
Cary Ballesteros, Professional Development Chairperson
My name is Cary Ballesteros; I am a licensed/bilingual School Psychologist, licensed Mental Health Counselor, and registered Play Therapist Supervisor, with supervising privileges in all three areas. I have been employed by the MDCPS since the 1980’s as a Bilingual School Psychologist. I hold state certifications in Elementary and Exceptional Education in the states of Florida and New York.
I joined DASP in the 1980’s and have remained an active member serving on the board in many capacities including Past President (1996). Presently, I chair the Professional Development Committee on the DASP board. In addition, I am a member of several local, state and national associations. My areas of interest are: addressing the specific needs of exceptional students and incorporating evidenced based therapeutic practices such as Play and Sand therapies into the field of School Psychology.
Anaeli Rodriguez, Communications Chairperson
Anaeli M. Rodriguez-Borjas is a Nationally Certified, bilingual School Psychologist, licensed in the State of Florida. After having completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of Florida, Anaeli decided to focus on working with children and pursued a graduate degree in School Psychology, with a specialization in Early Childhood Development. After earning her Master’s degree in 2003, Anaeli moved back to Miami to complete her internship at the Institute for Child and Family Health (formerly the Children’s Psychiatric Center).
Anaeli began working as a school Psychologist with Miami-Dade County Public Schools in the fall of 2004. She has enjoyed serving the children and families of MDCPS over many different capacities during her 15 years as a School Psychologist. Anaeli has served both as a region-based and district school psychologist. Currently, she specializes as a Prekindergarten School Psychologist conducting evaluations of children ages 3-5, who present with Developmental Disabilities, and works as the Co-Chair of the Prekindergarten Diagnostic Teams within MDCPS.
Anaeli is excited to serve DASP as the Media and Communications Chair. She previously served on the DASP executive board, as treasurer, for four years.
Dr. Jennifer Horenstein, Social Committee Chairperson
Dr. Jennifer Horenstein has her Masters Degree +30 credits (Ed Specialist Equivalent) as a School Psychologist from St. John’s University in Queens, NY. She also has a school District Administrator professional Degree (Ed Specialist Equivalent) from Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus. Jen began her career as a school psychologist in New York and early in her career, she transitioned to administration, where she oversaw special programs and staff. Her last year in New York, she worked as a District Special Education Administrator for the Port Jefferson School District. She moved to Florida in 2003 and began working as the psychologist for the Hospital Homebound Instructional Program and began her private practice. Mrs. Horenstein also worked as an adjunct professor for the Graduate and Undergraduate Psychology and Education Program until the program closed its Miami location in 2014. Since June 2018 Dr. Horenstein has been working as a chairperson overseeing the Private School Intake Team and referrals for MDCPS.
Dr. Horenstein is also a proud mother of two children and a former DASP President.
Dr. Gil Lopez, Legislative Committee Chairperson
Dr. Gil Lopez has been a School Psychologist at MDCPS for the past 44 years and has been a member of DASP since its inception. He is a Florida Licensed and Nationally Certified School Psychologist. He served as DASP president during the 2008-09 school year and currently serves on the Executive Board in the capacity of chairperson of the Legislative Committee. In addition to his role as a school psychologist he has worked as an EBD Clinician, has trained, supervised and mentored graduate students and promotes and advocates the role of school psychologists as mental health practitioners at local, state, and national levels.
Kat Norona, Membership Chair
Kathleen (“Kat”) Norona has been a school psychologist for over 17 years in the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS). She received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the University of Florida and pursued an Educational Specialist degree in School Psychology at the Florida International University. She began her career in school psychology in 2003 and served primarily as a region-based psychologist with an interest in students who are within low-incidence populations. Currently, she serves as a clinical supervisor for graduate students, as well as a mentor for school psychologists new to M-DCPS. Kat previously served on the executive board of the Florida Association of School Psychologists (FASP) as the South Regional Rep in 2008-2010 and was an active member of DASP in those years. She is excited to return to DASP in an effort to continue advocating for the profession and the needs of the children and families we serve.
Cristy Pena, North Area Representative
Cristy started her career as a school psychologist over 35 years ago. Throughout those years, her varied experiences show the different roles/opportunities available to all school psychologists. Early in her career, she worked as the school psychologist assessing students and counseling students with emotional and behavioral disabilities, both assigned to particular schools and as part of a mobile team traveling throughout the District on the “Mec Unit.” One of the highlights of Cristy’s career was when she became the District Chairperson of the Division of Psychological Services in Miami-Dade County Public Schools. In this role, Cristy was part of an exceptional team that developed, implemented and provided trainings on several Division initiatives and was part of groups that presented at both the Florida Association of School Psychologists and the National Association of School Psychologists conferences. Another career highlight was serving as the district coordinator of school psychologist interns.
Cristy has also been active in her professional societies, serving on the board of the Dade Association of School Psychologists and Chairing the annual meeting of the Florida Association of School Psychologists. Cristy is excited to be back in the schools working directly with students, staff, parents and school psychology interns. Every day she is reminded that our field gives us the opportunity to use many skills, from assessments to counseling, giving presentations, and working with parents – we can make this field whatever we want it to be.
Dr. Sue Buslinger-Clifford, South Area Representative
Dr. Sue L. Buslinger-Clifford began her career as a school psychologist 26 years ago when she was hired as a District School Psychologist for children with a hearing loss. She was privileged to work out of the District for Mr. Joseph Jackson and was afforded many leadership experiences which were helpful in transitioning to the Instructional Supervisor position upon Mr. Jackson’s retirement.
She remained in the supervisory position for 14 years and resigned her position reluctantly so she could again directly serve the children and families of Miami-Dade County Public Schools in the years prior to her retirement.
Linda Richmond-Moran, South Area Representative
Linda Richmond-Moran, Ed.S.(formerly known as Soden) has served on the DASP Executive Board as Treasurer for the past 13 years. She has been a School Psychologist for 19 years. Linda started her career as a Pre-Kindergarten teacher where she worked in the private school setting. As the Business Manager of a nonprofit organization, she managed a large budget, handled accounts payable, payroll and monthly financial reports.
Linda then returned to school and realized her dream of becoming a psychologist. Working as a School Psychologist merged her interests in education, working with children and psychology. She started her career at Florida International University as the Program Coordinator of the Assessment Intervention Program, a grant funded by the Children’s Trust. Later she returned to the University of Miami, Mailman Center for Child Development where she previously had a fellowship, as the supervisor of evaluations in the Early Childhood Department.
Finding the long hours competing with family obligations, she came to M-DCPS in 2006. Her areas of interest and expertise include Pre-K, Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADHD, students with emotional disabilities, counseling and trauma recovery.
Aura Bencosme, Special Area Representative
Aura Bencosme, Ed.S., is a Florida and New York State certified school psychologist. After completing her master’s degree at City College of New York, she worked with the New York City Public Schools for 5 years. In 1994, she joined Miami Dade County Public Schools primarily in special programs for at risk youth. Her role as a school psychologist at the Educational Alternative Outreach Program allows her to respond to the academic, social, mental, and behavioral needs of our students. Her goal is to ensure that each student achieves the skills and self-confidence to be successful in an ever-changing world. Her current areas of interest include: Social and Emotional Health Education, Suicide Prevention, Threat Assessment, and mindfulness.
Mirtha Brennan, Central Region Representative – Bio coming soon.