A Mental Health Awareness Month feature and salute to our team
For students who face unpredictable or turbulent life circumstances, focusing on academics may seem unimaginable. Thanks to Summit Academy’s mental health professionals, these students receive avenues to academic success built on understanding, trust and stability. Such foundational elements help children with emotional and behavioral challenges prosper in school and beyond, says Executive Director of Special Education Erica Richley-Duda, MSEd, LPPC-S, CCTP.
“By building trusting relationships, providing consistent support and helping students regulate their emotions and behaviors, our mental health professionals create a foundation of safety that allows students to be fully present and ready to learn,” explains Richley-Duda. “Their work helps students feel seen, understood and equipped to manage the day-to-day challenges of both life and learning.”
Under Richley-Duda’s direction, Summit Academy’s team of mental health clinicians provide counseling to students and resources within the community to their families.
“They help manage crises when they arise and work closely with families to ensure students receive the support they need both in and out of school. Whether it’s helping a student through a tough moment or connecting families with community resources, our mental health team walks alongside them, building trust, reducing barriers and partnering with caregivers to create a circle of support around the student,” Richley-Duda explains.
Richley-Duda describes Summit Academy’s mental health team as one with incredible depth of experience and dedication, and a deep commitment to the students and families they support. “Their collaboration, insight and heart make them a cornerstone of our school community – and their impact is felt every single day,” she says.
Summit Academy salutes its outstanding mental health team!
Clark Cretella, MSEd, LPC
Behavior Specialist, Youngstown Secondary
What drew you to your profession?
I love working with the children and trying to be a positive influence and mentor. My personal life experiences have influenced my knowledge and understanding of how important a trusting adult in your life at such a critical age having is.
What do you find most rewarding about the work you do for Summit Academy students and families?
When you feel like you have developed a positive relationship with both the child and the family, and you notice a difference in the student.
Renee Opalich, MA, LPCC-S
Regional Director of Special Education
What do you find most rewarding about the work you do for Summit Academy students and families?
When I was a Behavior Specialist, I enjoyed observing how students engaged not only with their peers and staff but also with their families. These interactions gave me valuable insight into who they were as individuals and allowed me to witness their growth, both emotionally and academically, as they prepared for life beyond high school.
In my current role, I continue to find fulfillment in working alongside staff members, supporting their development while also growing myself. I appreciate the team-oriented approach we embrace to fulfill Summit Academy’s mission, and I value the shared commitment we have in creating a positive and empowering environment for both students and staff.
What drew you to your profession?
I’ve always been passionate about supporting others.
Michael S. Prokop, M.Ed., CCTP
Behavior Specialist, K-7
Summit Academy – Youngstown
What drew you to your profession?
My dad was a guidance counselor and, like him, I want to help improve the lives of others.
What do you find most rewarding about the work you do?
Watching students learn to self-regulate.
Erica L. Richley-Duda, MSEd, LPCC-S, CCTP
Executive Director of Special Education
What drew you to your profession?
Helping people step into their full potential has always felt like a calling. I’m continually moved by the courage in others’ stories, and it’s an honor to be trusted to witness and support their journeys.
What do you find most rewarding about the work you do for Summit Academy students and families?
Whether I’m connecting with a student, encouraging a parent, or supporting a colleague, the most rewarding part of my work is being part of something bigger, helping others thrive and feel seen along the way.
Laura Rickard, M.Ed., LPC
Behavior Specialist
What do you find most rewarding about the work you do for Summit Academy students and families?
The students (K-12) give me so much hope. I get to witness their perseverance, creativity and faith in each other and their staff. Also, the Summit staff is an amazing, incredibly dedicated and talented group of educators. It would be difficult to not feel inspired working with them.
What drew you to your profession?
I’ve been studying and teaching martial arts for 20+ years. I was originally hired as a therapeutic martial arts instructor in Lorain and then, at the request of SAM, transferred to the behavior specialist position when it was created in 2006.
Closing compliments
Erica’s Special Education Administrative Team (Renee Opalich, Erica Richley-Duda, Haley Hackett and Sandy Blais) are the unsung heroes of Summit Academy Schools. I’ve witnessed them for 16+ years going above and beyond, behind the scenes and usually unwitnessed, to ensure to their highest capacity that staff and students have what they need to provide educational and related provided services. As kind as Erica is in recognizing us, we would not be able to do our jobs were it not for Erica, Renee, Haley and Sandy.
Cassandra Shepherd, MACC, LPCC
Behavior Specialist/Performance Coach (7-12)
Summit Academy Community School – Parma
What drew you to your profession?
Since elementary school I’ve always wanted to help people.
What do you find most rewarding about the work you do for Summit Academy students and families?
The most rewarding thing is watching students grow and learn how to come into themselves; the yearly maturity is rewarding.
After hours
Outside of the work … I’ve been dedicated to impacting youth for going on 14 years and in my spare time I enjoy being a podcaster. Check out her podcast, “Chronicles of a Therapist.”
I’ve created spaces for youth to use creative arts gifts (dancing, singing, miming, comedy) through a showcase called “The Volume” (2016-2018), various mentoring opportunities professionally, and volunteering with homework, life skills and healthy emotions.
Kim Wanosky, MA, LPCC-S
Behavior Specialist, Summit Academy Community School – Lorain
What drew you to your profession?
I was drawn to the mental health field after my brother being diagnosed with ADHD when we were younger. I wanted to work with kids and then went into the community mental health field as a school-based therapist. I loved this position but wanted to be able to work with all students, not just those on my caseload.
What do you find most rewarding about the work you do at Summit Academy?
What I find most rewarding about our students are the “aha” moments when they are able to ask for a break, use their coping skills, or have improved their social skills. I love watching the growth they demonstrate from year to year!
Summit Academy salutes all its mental health professionals, including those not profiled above.