Staff
The Springboard School's staff is comprised of a well-trained interdisciplinary team including speech and language therapists, special education teachers, occupational therapists, school social workers and child development specialists. We bring decades of collective experience to help both our students and their families thrive.
Lois Mendelson, Ph.D., Director
Lois has been with the program since its inception in 1978 and has been its director since 2002. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Barnard College, a master’s degree from Columbia University, and a Ph.D. from NYU. She completed a seven-year training program in child, couples, and family therapy from the Institute for Child, Adolescent and Family Studies (ICAFS) in New York.
Lisa Bernholz-Balsam, MS, CCC/SLP, Speech and Language Pathologist and Audiologist
Lisa is an ASHA certified, state-licensed speech and language pathologist and audiologist, specializing in the treatment of pediatric speech and language disorders. She earned her MS at the City University of New York, Brooklyn College, and has been with our school since 1998. She also has a private practice in Englewood.
Lisa Corner, MEd-EdL, Head Teacher
Lisa earned a bachelor’s degree from Montclair State University and a master’s in educational leadership, also from Montclair State University. Since then, she has received her supervisory certifications. Lisa joined our staff in 2004, when we were called the Therapeutic Nursery. She was the head teacher for 14 years before she moved to Connecticut to direct the PALS inclusion program at Carmel Academy in Greenwich. When Carmel closed, Lisa began and directed the Nexus inclusion program at the Mead School in Stamford. Lisa moved back to NJ and worked with the adult population for several years before returning to The Springboard School in 2024.
Beth Geisler, MA & MS, Teacher
Beth Geisler joined The Springboard School as a teacher in 2022. She holds a master’s in special and general education in both New York and New Jersey. Beth also has a master’s in art therapy and counseling. Beth has over 15 years of experience and education that has allowed her to think outside the box and provide students with the opportunity and guidance to reach their goals.
Amy Goldstein, MS, Teacher
Amy Goldstein joined The Springboard School as an assistant teacher in 2021. She holds a master’s degree in elementary education from Hunter College and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania. She spent 11 years teaching various ages at Temple Sinai’s Early Childhood Center. For 16 years prior to teaching, she worked at the National Child Labor Committee, a non-profit organization in New York City.
Michelle H. Roth, MS, OTR, Occupational Therapist
Michelle earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and an MS in occupational therapy from Columbia University. Prior to joining our staff in 2002, Michelle worked in Manhattan at several special education schools and early intervention centers. She has also been a senior occupational therapist at Focus Children’s Therapy Center since 2002, where she provides occupational therapy for children in a clinic setting.
Yonit Weiss, MS, CCC/SLP, Speech and Language Pathologist
Yonit is a certified speech and language pathologist in both New York and New Jersey. She joins us with over 15 years of experience working in both clinical and school settings. She received a bachelor's degree in speech and language from Queens College and a Master of Science in speech and language pathology from Brooklyn College. Yonit specializes in working with the school-age population, specifically children in grades K-8.