Meet Our Staff

Cheri Nixon

Cheri brings more than 25 years of experience in rehabilitation counseling. Throughout her career in New Hampshire, she has worked with individuals with a wide range of disabilities, with a particular focus on employment training, readiness, job acquisition, and long-term job retention.

Her professional interests include Autism Spectrum Disorders, Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities, ADHD/ADD, physical disabilities, and co-existing mental health challenges. Her experience helps inform a practical, individualized approach to supporting people as they work toward greater independence and meaningful opportunities.

Areas of Experience

• Rehabilitation counseling
• Employment training and readiness
• Job acquisition and retention
• Autism Spectrum Disorders and ADHD/ADD
• Physical disabilities and co-existing mental health needs

Advanced Training

• Boston University – Psychiatric Vocational Rehabilitation
• University of New Hampshire – Train-the-Trainer

Pam Flynn

Pam has more than 40 years of experience in education, working in a variety of settings and roles. Her background includes inclusionary consulting, resource room instruction, and self-contained special education. She has also developed curriculum and educational programming and conducted assessments for students with a wide range of learning needs and exceptionalities, including gifted and twice-exceptional learners.

In addition to her classroom and consulting experience, Pam has spent more than 25 years in special education and elementary administration. She has completed more than 1,000 hours of additional professional training in areas such as autism, learning disabilities, transition planning, young adult needs, assessment, coaching, and educational administration. She previously served as president of the Council for Exceptional Children – New Hampshire.

Education

• M.Ed. – Lesley University, Itinerant (Consulting) Special Educator
• B.S. – Boston College, Special Education and K–8 Education, Moderate Disabilities

Advanced Training

• University of New Hampshire – Coaching
• Additional professional development in autism, learning disabilities, gifted and talented education, transition, assessment, and administration

Professional Experience

• More than 40 years in education
• More than 25 years in special education and elementary administration
• Former President, Council for Exceptional Children – New Hampshire

Chelsea Nardone

Chelsea has graduate-level experience in Autism and Learning and Developmental Disorders. Her work at NorthStar includes education and coaching, along with a background as an ABA therapist.

She is especially interested in helping young adults prepare for life after high school, including the transition to college, careers, and adult living. She also values practical, project-based learning that gives students opportunities to develop skills they can use in everyday life.

Areas of Focus

• Executive functioning and organization
• Social and academic coaching
• Transition planning for college and careers
• Adult living skills
• Project-based learning

Education

• M.A. – Boston University, Psychology
• B.A. – Wheaton College, Psychobiology

Advanced Training

• ARC
• University of New Hampshire – Coaching
• ABA Therapist