John also has extensive training and experience with Co-Teaching, Precision Teaching, Crisis Response & Intervention, Arts in Education, and Differentiated Instruction. John has worked directly with at-risk, disabled, & disadvantaged youth in rural and impoverished communities across West Virginia for 20+ years.

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As the parent of three neurodiverse teens, John has extensive experience identifying and addressing the needs of neurodivergent youth, particularly in terms of identifying barriers and solutions. Diagnosed with Autism as an adult, he has personal experience with the struggle to find treatment and support when access is limited and options are few.

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John currently volunteers as a disability advocate and provides training in Resilience, Relaxation Techniques, Acting, and Sword Fighting. He has also organized dozens of social skills gaming events for neurodiverse youth since 2016. John is driven to improve mental health awareness, acceptance, and accessibility for area youth. Joh

John served as a board member for Inspiring Dreams Network (IDN) from March 2021 – January 2022, at which time he stepped down to serve as IDN’s full-time AmeriCorps Leadership VISTA through January 20.3 at which time he resumed his board position with IDN. 

 

John began a new VISTA position as Team Leader with The Hub helping with strategic planning and operational procedures while still serving as a trainer and board member with IDN. John provides training on behalf of IDN to help adults better support youth experiencing neurodiversity diagnoses.

 

Additionally, John is a certified trainer in three of the five part training series for Regrounding our Response: WV aimed at stopping the multi-generational drug epidemic and helping youth and families health from the impact.