About ETHAN
Supporting Families. Navigating Challenges.
Building Community. Finding Joy.
ETHAN PROJECT DIRECTORS
ETHAN PROJECT DIRECTORS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Chresta has spent more than 28 years serving children with disabilities and their families as a self-contained special education teacher, Autism Consultant, and Early Childhood Intervention Specialist. Her work in family homes showed her how often parents feel outnumbered and unsure of their voice, especially in complex education and care meetings. That perspective drives her passion for equipping families as confident team leaders. She earned her Master’s in Healthcare Administration in 2025, allowing her to better guide families through educational, therapeutic, and medical systems so they feel supported, informed, and never alone at the table.
DIRECTOR OF THERAPIES
Mandi has been a certified Speech-Language Pathologist for 29 years, focusing primarily on children from birth to age three. Her early inspiration came in college, watching a friend with a hearing impairment persevere despite significant challenges. She specializes in communication, speech sound disorders, and pediatric feeding, combining deep clinical expertise with a calm, family-centered approach. As a guest lecturer and student supervisor at West Texas A&M University, she equips the next generation of SLPs while advocating for families who often feel adrift after early childhood services end. Mandi is committed to walking alongside families so they never feel abandoned in the process.
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
Shelley brings over 15 years of classroom experience to her role, creating safe, life-giving learning spaces for children with diverse needs. She is known for immersive, hands-on activities and thoughtful, individualized instruction that helps every student engage and grow. Shelley has developed strong expertise in inclusive practices, carefully understanding each student’s abilities and designing instruction to support meaningful progress. She completed her Master’s in Special Education with a specialization in Deaf and Hard of Hearing in 2024 and is dedicated to helping every child build skills, confidence, and a genuine love of learning.