Meet Our Staff
Ryan Gill:
Ryan grew up in Northeast Pennsylvania and received his undergraduate degree from Penn State University and his masters degree from Wilkes University. With over two decades of teaching experience, Ryan has dedicated his working life to helping students learn and grow. Ryan now lives in State College with his wife, two children, his cat, Tofu and dog, Pepper Potts. In his free time, he loves being outdoors with his family and friends, tailgating at Penn State football games, camping, biking, skiing and playing guitar. Ryan is the fifth teacher/coordinator of the LifeLink PSU program, a role he is honored to have. His goal is to continue to teach, learn, and make a positive impact on his students' lives every day.
Kayla Moninger:
Kayla grew up in Mount Pleasant, a small town in southwestern, Pennsylvania. She recently graduated from Penn State on the pre-medicine track with a bachelor of science degree in the neuroscience option of psychology, with a minor in biology. Kayla is in the process of applying to medical school with plans of becoming a physician and specializing in working with individuals with disabilities. Kayla served as a mentor herself before taking on the role as a special education paraprofessional at LifeLink PSU. Outside of LifeLink, Kayla enjoys volunteering with and attending her siblings’ Special Olympics sporting events. She also works part-time at Penn State as a teaching assistant for an anatomy and physiology lab and as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Kayla is grateful for the opportunity to work directly with the LifeLink students on a daily basis before going to medical school, and she truly believes that her experiences at LifeLink will positively translate toward her work as a physician, specifically in understanding the “individual” before the “disability.”
Deb Becker:
Deb has lived in the State College area for almost 35 years. She moved to State College not long after college, where she met her husband. She has two sons who both now live in the Philadelphia area. Deb went to Shippensburg University where she earned a degree in Elementary Education. This is her sixth year working with the LifeLink program, her third year as a full time Special Ed. Para with the program. Her favorite part about LifeLink is seeing the students gain self confidence and independence throughout their time at LifeLink. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and spending time outdoors.
Dawn Foster:
Dawn moved to State College after her father retired from the Army when she was 12. She is in her 8th year working for SCASD as a Special Education Paraprofessional. Dawn lives in State College with her husband and five children, 2 dogs and 2 cats. She enjoys hiking, crocheting, reading and gardening, but would prefer to be walking in the waves of a beach!
Emily Fritts:
Emily graduated from State High and attended PSU for Elementary Ed before taking some time off to travel. She has been a paraprofessional with SCASD for 17 years working in Multiple Disability, Life Skills, and Autistic Support rooms. Emily enjoys implementing positive behavior plans and celebrating student success. Emily lives in Bellwood with her husband and two sons. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, camping, taking photos, traveling, and cheering on her boys at the year-round soccer games. Emily currently splits her workday between LifeLink and Autistic Support at the high school. Her goal is to support students and teach strategies that will help them to succeed on their road to independence...and also have a lot of fun in the process!
Ryan grew up in Northeast Pennsylvania and received his undergraduate degree from Penn State University and his masters degree from Wilkes University. With over two decades of teaching experience, Ryan has dedicated his working life to helping students learn and grow. Ryan now lives in State College with his wife, two children, his cat, Tofu and dog, Pepper Potts. In his free time, he loves being outdoors with his family and friends, tailgating at Penn State football games, camping, biking, skiing and playing guitar. Ryan is the fifth teacher/coordinator of the LifeLink PSU program, a role he is honored to have. His goal is to continue to teach, learn, and make a positive impact on his students' lives every day.
Kayla Moninger:
Kayla grew up in Mount Pleasant, a small town in southwestern, Pennsylvania. She recently graduated from Penn State on the pre-medicine track with a bachelor of science degree in the neuroscience option of psychology, with a minor in biology. Kayla is in the process of applying to medical school with plans of becoming a physician and specializing in working with individuals with disabilities. Kayla served as a mentor herself before taking on the role as a special education paraprofessional at LifeLink PSU. Outside of LifeLink, Kayla enjoys volunteering with and attending her siblings’ Special Olympics sporting events. She also works part-time at Penn State as a teaching assistant for an anatomy and physiology lab and as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Kayla is grateful for the opportunity to work directly with the LifeLink students on a daily basis before going to medical school, and she truly believes that her experiences at LifeLink will positively translate toward her work as a physician, specifically in understanding the “individual” before the “disability.”
Deb Becker:
Deb has lived in the State College area for almost 35 years. She moved to State College not long after college, where she met her husband. She has two sons who both now live in the Philadelphia area. Deb went to Shippensburg University where she earned a degree in Elementary Education. This is her sixth year working with the LifeLink program, her third year as a full time Special Ed. Para with the program. Her favorite part about LifeLink is seeing the students gain self confidence and independence throughout their time at LifeLink. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and spending time outdoors.
Dawn Foster:
Dawn moved to State College after her father retired from the Army when she was 12. She is in her 8th year working for SCASD as a Special Education Paraprofessional. Dawn lives in State College with her husband and five children, 2 dogs and 2 cats. She enjoys hiking, crocheting, reading and gardening, but would prefer to be walking in the waves of a beach!
Emily Fritts:
Emily graduated from State High and attended PSU for Elementary Ed before taking some time off to travel. She has been a paraprofessional with SCASD for 17 years working in Multiple Disability, Life Skills, and Autistic Support rooms. Emily enjoys implementing positive behavior plans and celebrating student success. Emily lives in Bellwood with her husband and two sons. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, camping, taking photos, traveling, and cheering on her boys at the year-round soccer games. Emily currently splits her workday between LifeLink and Autistic Support at the high school. Her goal is to support students and teach strategies that will help them to succeed on their road to independence...and also have a lot of fun in the process!