Emily Muise
Behavior Analyst
Old Dominion University
Emily Muise, EdS, BCBA-LBA has worked in the education field for almost 20 years in a variety of roles, including as a classroom teacher, special education teacher and school administrator, and is also a Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA). She is currently the Project Manager for the Cooperative for Effective Behavior Interventions and Supports and is passionate about supporting personnel working in diverse settings serving children and young people. She lives in Chesapeake, Virginia with her husband and two cats and enjoys reading, hiking, and traveling.
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Behavior Analyst
Old Dominion University
Christine Jones Monaccio
Professional Development and Quality Coordonator
VPOST
With over 15 years of experience in the out-of-school time field, Christine began her journey in program management with both community-based organizations and school-based settings. Currently, she excels at applying her knowledge of instructional design to architecting professional development experiences such as state conferences, communities of practice, and webinars. Christine is a seasoned speaker, having presented at numerous events nationally and locally. Combining education with advocacy, she has also pioneered VPOST STEM Youth Ambassador Program and the OST Access Map project, further solidifying her commitment to advancing the field and ensuring broader access to quality educational opportunities. In her spare time, you’ll find Christine exploring Richmond with her husband, two daughters, and rowdy beagle, seeing live music, or throwing clay on a pottery wheel.
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Professional Development and Quality Coordonator
VPOST
Blaire Denson
Executive Director
VPOST
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Executive Director
VPOST
Decca Knight
LPC, LPSC, EMDR Certified Therapist ™, Trauma Specialist
Roanoke Valley, Trauma-Informed Care Netowrk
Decca Knight is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Professional School Counselor, National Certified Counselor, and a Certified Clinical Trauma Practitioner. Decca received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Virginia Tech and has over 15 years of experience in the mental health field. She has worked in the school system, private practice, non-profits, and as a consultant to various agencies, organizations, and school systems. Decca coordinates the Roanoke Valley Trauma-Informed Community Network or RVTICN, which is part of a state-wide network of more than 30 TICNs. She is a therapist for Family Services of Roanoke Valley in a specialized program in Roanoke’s Housing Development Community. Decca also owns Blue Ridge Parenting, where she works individually with parents and partners with organizations to offer parenting courses. In addition, Decca co-owns Connected Community Consulting, a consulting business that provides trauma-informed education and support to schools, communities, businesses, and faith-based organizations throughout Virginia and nationally. Decca also founded Standing for Equity in the Roanoke Valley (SERV), a non-profit providing training and advocacy for diversity and equity issues. Find out more about the work that Decca does at decca.knight.com
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LPC, LPSC, EMDR Certified Therapist ™, Trauma Specialist
Roanoke Valley, Trauma-Informed Care Netowrk
Jes Bookout
Restorative Justice and Community Facilitator
Roanoke Valley, Trauma-Informed Care network
Originally from Portland, Oregon, Jes Bookout has called Roanoke home for the past six years. With a background in early education and family support, Jes currently serves as a Restorative Justice and Community Facilitator. In this role, she utilizes her expertise in trauma-informed practices, human development, and community building to engage with individuals of all ages. Her efforts focus on fostering nonviolent communication, promoting peaceful interactions, and encouraging active listening to help strengthen communities.
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Restorative Justice and Community Facilitator
Roanoke Valley, Trauma-Informed Care network
Miriam Thomas
Education and Outreach Coordinator
Agriculture in the Classroom
Miriam Thomas is the Education Outreach Coordinator for Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC). Over five years ago she began her journey with AITC when she attended a professional development as an educator. She was awarded two school grants and was also selected as their 2022 Teacher of the Year. Miriam accepted her current position in July 2023. She has two children, one dog, one cat, and one chinchilla. Miriam loves to spend time with her children and friends, read and write for fun, explore nature, and grow things.
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Education and Outreach Coordinator
Agriculture in the Classroom
Lyn Koonce
Founder and Owner
Lyn Koonce Music
Lyn Koonce is a facilitator, vocal coach, and musician. She holds a B.M. in music education and a master’s in conducting. Lyn brings a broad understanding of how to guide people through powerful musical experiences. In addition, she has studied improvisation with Bobby McFerrin, Bobby Previte, and Music for People, and is trained in a practice called Musica do Circulo (Music from the Circle), based in Brazil. These modalities inspire and inform her signature Circle Sounds work, a powerful group process designed to help people deepen their sense of trust, communication, and creative energy. As a facilitator with a rich musical background, Lyn brings her distinctive style and creative approach to a wide range of groups seeking to build connection. Not only does she work with diverse musical groups, she also brings Circle Sounds into organizations to help teams collaborate, communicate, and connect more effectively through innovative team development programs.
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Founder and Owner
Lyn Koonce Music
