FIRM AMBASSADORS
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Susan Speck
Susan is a Staff Developer based in New Oxford, Pennsylvania, specializing in the intersection of behavior, literacy, and neuroscience. She brings over 16 years of classroom teaching experience in both Maryland and Pennsylvania to her current role in the Training and Consultation (TaC) field. Susan spent eight years teaching in the South Western School District (PA) and eight years in the Carroll County Public School System (MD).
She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Western Maryland College, a Master’s degree in Education from McDaniel College, and a Certification in Applied Educational Neuroscience from Butler University.
Susan’s mission is to empower educators to achieve their personal and professional goals through meaningful professional learning experiences. She is dedicated to helping teachers deepen their understanding of behavior and literacy, think critically about instructional practices, and apply new strategies in the classroom. Her work focuses on fostering educator growth, supporting nervous system regulation, and promoting lifelong learning in a practical and engaging way.
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Justin McGowan
Justin is an elementary school Principal in York, Pennsylvania, with a diverse background that bridges public safety and education. Before entering the field of Education, he served as a police officer in Maryland and with the Harrisburg City Bureau of Police. Justin began his educational career as a high school Social Studies teacher, later expanding his expertise to Technology Education, serving as a Dean of Students, then as a high school Assistant Principal, and now as an elementary Principal.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology from Pennsylvania State University, a Teaching Certificate from York College of Pennsylvania, and a Master’s Degree in Administrative Leadership from Pennsylvania Western University. He is currently pursuing his Doctorate in Education Administration and Leadership, continuing his focus on systems-level improvement and organizational growth.
Guided by the belief that safety begins with personal accountability, Justin’s mission is to shift the mindset of safety from a collective expectation to an individual responsibility, while elevating awareness, classroom management, and well-being in every environment.
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Missy Cougnet
Missy is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) at Springboard Community Services (SCS) in Westminster, MD and has been a therapist there since 2021. Missy attempts to provide a safe, comforting, non-judgmental environment conducive to growth and healing. She has a background in substance abuse counseling and now specializes in treating children with problematic sexual behavior (PSB), through the use of PSB-CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), and individuals needing to process trauma, through TF-CBT (trauma focused). In addition to seeing clients at SCS, Missy works part time as the therapist on staff at the Carroll County Children’s Advocacy Center, offering crisis sessions and psychoeducation to both children and caregivers of physically and sexually abused children, as well as those exhibiting PSB.
Missy has a Bachelor’s Degree from Towson University in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in Community Mental Health Counseling from McDaniel College. She is certified in TF-CBT and in PSB-CBT. She is also a licensed supervisor.
Missy’s mission is to provide a safe space for victims and those who are in need of counseling. She aims to assist in healing and in self-sufficiency. Missy is passionate about educating others on problematic sexual behavior, to destigmatize the behavior in children, and to offer them the treatment they need.