Meet Our Coaches.
Robin coaches draw on their personal life experience and professional expertise to help students learn valuable life skills to be ready for life’s challenges.
Meet Our Coaches.
Tara Karch.
Awarded Teacher of The Year twice, Robin Director of Coaching Tara Karch spent 14 years as an elementary school teacher and served on the Social Emotional Learning Leadership team. Tara empowers Robin students to manage and reframe stress and build resilience by introducing them to compassionate tools and techniques.
Meet Tara
Amy Lee Flower.
Amy Lee Flower is the Robin Coach Ambassador. She is a trauma informed expert mindfulness teacher. Amy Lee fell in love with yoga, meditation, & mindfulness at age 14. Since 2015, she has taught these skills to over 50,000 students, educators, and families throughout the country. Amy Lee has led practices for over 1200 principals & administrators. Her passion for this work is deeply felt by those around her. She has had great success supporting the education system in New York City.
Meet Amy Lee
Styvenson Saint-Vil.
Coach Styve is an entrepreneur, nonprofit founder and community volunteer who draws on his life experiences and the experiences of those around him to provide unique insight and value using empathy and emotional awareness.
Meet Styvenson Saint-Vil
Jenn Guerrero.
Currently pursuing a Master's degree in Neuroscience, Jenn is certified and trained in a multitude of holistic modalities and has more than a decade of experience working with clients. She is a master breathwork facilitator, registered yoga teacher, NLP practitioner, non-violent communication facilitator, 5NP auricular acupuncturist, social-emotional learning advocate, and mindfulness coach. She also holds two black belts and teaches martial arts to children in her free time.
Meet Jenn
Caroline Reinstadtler.
A published author, accomplished singer-songwriter and coach, Caroline engages all members of the school community in critical discussions around diversity and inclusion, resilience and other skills to support mental well-being. An eating disorder survivor, she encourages students to appreciate their bodies, but to look past them towards the attributes that give them power and purpose. Caroline supports educators to develop a DEI acumen and a heightened cultural self-awareness with a focus on growing inclusive leadership skills. She has helped parents and guardians build stress-management practices into family routines, developing stronger foundations of resilience.
Meet Caroline
Mimi Le.
Mimi is an E-RYT500 yoga teacher and wellness practitioner who teaches yoga, meditation and mindfulness to communities in Brooklyn, New York. Mimi's embodied approach to well-being comes from her own healing work and yoga practice of over 15 years. Born as a post-Vietnam War refugee boat baby, Mimi's lived experience of immigrant family life provided her with challenges- especially missing a sense of belonging and inclusion- and life practice that resulted in a resilient mindset and a compassionate heart.
Meet Mimi
Lauren Pla.
Lauren is a Certified Life and Empowerment Coach who has a passion for illuminating the inner strengths we are all born with. Having experienced a variety of different challenges throughout her life, Lauren came to realize that the lessons she took from each one were invaluable, and she feels a deep pull to offer her insights to younger generations so no person ever feels like they need to do life alone.
Meet Lauren
John Hastings.
Coach John is a coach of many talents. John brings his 20-year career as a classroom teacher in the Bronx, his background in theater and improv, and his knowledge of mental health to each workshop he leads. John holds Master’s Degrees in Education, Fine Arts, and Mental Health Counseling.
Meet John
Meg McNeal.
Meg McNeal, an experienced educator, yoga instructor, and counselor, infuses her coaching with mindfulness strategies to help students navigate stress.
Meet Meg
Ahiela Watson.
Ahiela Watson is a mental health counseling practitioner working towards licensure in New York City. Ahiela started life in Colón, Panamá and was raised in the city of Brockton, Massachusetts. She strives to meet and understand the socio-emotional needs of clients of the Black diaspora and Spanish- speaking communities.
Meet Ahiela
Sara Kaviar.
Sara is the Director of Curriculum and Innovation at Seven Arrows School. Sara works directly with students teaching them to use their minds critically, collaboratively, and creatively. She also supports teachers and administrators in designing engaging projects that stimulate innovation and design thinking, as well as foster resilience through the iterative process. As a Robin coach, Sara teaches the entire community the strengths and pitfalls of technology and social media and how we can approach our usage in a thoughtful, balanced way.
Meet Sara
Alicia Collins.
Alicia Collins comes to Robin with a Master of Education in Leadership and more than a decade of experience working in both charter and public schools in Illinois and Indiana. Most recently, she was an elementary school principal, and she has also served as the Senior Dean of Culture at a charter school in Chicago where she supported a team of more than 20 staff whose collective efforts resulted in a steep decline in disciplinary referrals and a 100% high school graduation rate. Alicia has led workshops around Trauma Informed practices, Social Emotional Learning, and Culturally Responsive teaching practices, to name a few. She also co authored a social emotional learning curriculum for grades 6-12.
Meet Alicia
Marshall Davis Jones.
Marshall is a celebrated spoken word artist and the Founder of MindBodySpeak. His unique gift runs deep into the human experience, exploring universal themes from identity and culture to connection and technology. At Robin, Marshall works with young people to harness the power of their voice, their words and their movement to say what they mean and mean what they say.
Meet Marshall
Dr. John Avritt.
John is a mental health counselor and former Master Resiliency Trainer & Performance Expert at the R2 Performance Center in Ft. Hood, TX, where he assisted soldiers in strategizing ways to build resiliency. As a Robin coach, John works with students, teachers, and staff to develop practical strategies to improve resiliency and performance-related skills.
Meet John
Dr. Colleen Jacobson.
Colleen is a licensed clinical psychologist and professor with over 20 years of experience in researching, teaching and counseling young adults. Leveraging tricks and trades of psychotherapy, Dr. Jacobson teaches and supports Robin students on how they can more effectively cope with life issues and mental health challenges to live their best lives.
Meet Colleen
April Frazier.
April considers herself a compassionate disrupter of inequity, and a restorative reconnector to people’s strengths. April has been working with restorative justice, trauma informed practices, diversity and equity, and mindfulness for over ten years.
Meet April
Noah Harrington.
Specialist Noah Harrington is currently a soldier at Fort Hood, Texas; however, the journey that brought him there has given him a truly unique perspective on the concept of “a life in which we thrive." Among his many varied life experiences, Noah has been an integral leader both on and off the field within multiple sports programs in a number of countries. He has also studied drama at the highly acclaimed American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles. Noah has worked with thousands of students of all ages on language skills, sports technique, and resiliency in both the US and Italy.
Meet Noah
Amy Armstrong.
As an accredited coach and licensed social worker, Amy helps folks break free from negative relationship patterns and the anxiety of conflict.
Meet Amy
Steven Hosking.
Steven Hosking is an accomplished performer, multi-modal artist, educator, and therapeutic guide. He has more than 10 years of experience in therapeutic and expressive arts-based service within educational and community-based settings. Steven’s passion is to create safe, nurturing, and playful spaces that allow people’s innate creative expression to be mutually heard, felt, and shared. He loves supporting students and teachers alike in finding their own authentic voices and what empowers them to be kind, open, and compassionate humans.
Meet Steven
Lavina Shamdasani.
Lavina Shamdasani is a certified compassion teacher through the Compassion Institute and Stanford University, and a certified positive psychology coach through Wholebeing Institute. She has led workshops on cultivating mindfulness, compassion, self-compassion and joy for over five years in NYC at Tibet House, Rubin Museum and other institutions.
Meet Lavina
Dr. Jennifer Knight.
Dr. Jennifer Knight worked for 11 years as a Master Resiliency Trainer & Performance Expert at the R2 Performance Center at Ft. Hood, Texas. Jennifer has a Master’s Degree in Sport Psychology from Georgia Southern University and a Ph.D. in Education with an Emphasis in Sport Psychology from University of Idaho.
Meet Jennifer
Felicia Tomasko.
Felicia is a renowned Yoga and Ayurveda Instructor, as well as a Registered Nurse. Channeling her expertise in cognitive neuropsychology, plant biochemistry, and yoga therapy, Felicia teaches Robin students the importance of self-care.
Meet Felicia
Whitney Bell.
Whitney is a youth worker specializing in drama therapy, which involves combining traditional psychotherapy and dramatic techniques in support of healing and self-expression. As a drama therapist who has worked in multiple settings, Whitney is extremely connected to the creative arts’ capacity to provide an environment for youth to develop new possibilities that support their mental health. Whitney has worked with young people of all ages, their parents, caregivers, and support staff- including both neurotypical and specially-abled and developmentally diverse children and young adults.
Meet Whitney
Kathleen Young.
With a Master’s in Special Education, Kathleen is an award-winning educator. After working in public, private and special education settings for more than 20 years, she served on the Management Team at a startup Middle School. Her passion is the well-being of students, adults and families in every school community.
Meet Kathleen
Dr. Gwenyth Jackaway.
Gwenyth Jackaway is a mission driven educator, committed to helping school communities to thrive, mindfully, in the digital age.
Meet Gwenyth
Dorian Drummond.
Dorian is a motivational speaker, educator and certified life coach. He was born in Brooklyn, NY, and faced significant childhood adversity, ultimately being placed into the foster care system, despite his navigation of a toxic childhood environment.
Meet Dorian
Jen Vihrachoff.
Jen is a professional development coach who helps teachers and community leaders practice holistic and healthy leadership. She is the Executive Director of a nonprofit that trains and supports educators in the areas of leadership development, cultural responsiveness and best practices for equity in education. Jen is also an Adjunct Professor of Education at Jacksonville University, where she teaches Civic Engagement and Reading Instruction.
Meet Jen
Raylene Ross.
Dr. Raylene Ross currently serves as the Director of Sport Leadership and Mental Performance at the University of South Carolina supporting student-athletes and coaches to maximize performance, manage mental stressors, and cope with pressures inherent to their highly visible environments. As a Robin coach, Raylene leverage her sports psychology background to empower educators, staff and students with leadership, resilience, and mental performance skills.
Meet Raylene
Rachel Handler.
Rachel is an actor and filmmaker based in New York City. After graduating from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ, where she studied musical theatre, she worked at esteemed regional theaters. On her way to an audition, she was hit by a car and lost her left leg on impact. At the age of twenty-four Rachel had to choose between chasing her Broadway dreams or finding a different path. She ended up doing both
Meet Rachel
Ife Lenard.
Ife Lenard, MSW, Ed.M., has a profound commitment to intentional spaces that encourage self-awareness and critical reflective practices.
Meet Ife
Anne Court.
Anne is deeply committed to empowering individuals to navigate and release uncomfortable emotions, fostering a genuine appreciation for each person's unique humanity.
Meet Anne
Charlie Trotman.
Charlie is a powerful and dynamic Speaker, Coach and Educator. He focuses on cultivating holistic and trauma informed spaces for youth and the people who support them.
Meet Charlie
Kim McCarthy.
Kim has more than 25 years of experience in the field of health and wellness as a Peace Corps volunteer, educator of incarcerated students, psychiatric registered nurse serving adolescents with behavioral and neurological challenges and certified nurse coach.
Meet Kim
Laura Amigone.
Laura Amigone, founding College Success Coach of Rudder Coaching, is passionate about helping young adults reach their full potential as they transition from high school into and through their college career. After 20 years in college admissions and high school college counseling, Laura helps students sharpen the four skills required to be successful, no matter the college: scheduling effectively, designing career paths, comparing and celebrating, and intentionally building self-confidence.
Meet Laura
Kimberly Engelhardt.
Kimberly has been serving early childhood and elementary aged children, teachers and parents for over 23 years. As an educator, senior instructional coach, curriculum designer, administrator and infant massage specialist, her passion lies in supporting children’s ability to regulate strong emotions.
Meet Kimberly
Jamie Mamerow.
Jamie is a certified Life Coach and Mastery Transformational Coach who helps parents find balance in life so they can stress less, laugh more, and be strong role models for their children. Jamie is also a mom of 3 and former kindergarten teacher. As a Robin Coach, she uses the unique combination of parenting, coaching, and teaching experiences to educate parents and students on the value of a positive mindset and effective communication strategies.
Meet Jamie
Jodie Cohen.
Jodie is an inner-city high school principal with 30 years of experience in education. Jodie’s passion is to support students, families, and staff in growing as individuals.
Meet Jodie
Jason Holzer.
Jason Holzer is the co-founder of 4D Athletes and a globally recognized leader in the areas of education, mental fitness, coaching, and leadership. Jason is also a best-selling author in the field of post-traumatic growth and resilience. His book, “Shattered by Suicide, Renewed by Resilience” has reached thousands of readers globally and continues to impact more and more each year. With over 12 years of experience in coaching and teaching, Jason understands what it takes to develop and inspire others to live their purpose and help others become the best version of themselves.
Meet Jason
Sharon DeMattia.
Sharon founded The AIM Project, a global art initiative in which anonymous self-portraits of inner dialogues tell the stories behind our skin. Drawing on her experience as an artist and educator, Sharon challenges Robin students to deepen their understanding of empathy, self-awareness, and belonging through art.
Meet Sharon
Dr. Julie Heifetz.
As an educator, consultant, and trainer/coach, Julie works with students, teachers, and families to foster emotional well-being and management, stress reduction, and resilience. Julie shares social emotional learning (SEL) and mindfulness best practices, resources, tools, and techniques with students of all ages, as well as adults.
Meet Julie
Anastasia Vlasova.
Anastasia Vlasova is a freshman at NYU Gallatin studying design and the infrastructure of mental health. She is a mental health activist and host of Our Turn to Talk, a mental health podcast for teens and parents, and its accompanying PBS documentary. She is an avid public speaker on topics ranging from eating disorders to digital wellness. Anastasia has spoken for The Jed Foundation, NAMI, Our Minds Matter, #HalfTheStory, and more.
Meet Anastasia
Paige Phelps.
Paige has been in education for over 20 years working with adolescent youth and their families as a guidance counselor, prevention coach, social and emotional learning specialist and mindfulness coordinator/coach. Paige is also the CEO and Co-founder of IM Mindful, an organization that provides social and emotional wellness courses for students, families and educators.
Meet Paige
Kari Van Bebber.
Kari has always had a passion for the social emotional well-being of others. After starting her career as a teacher, she quickly moved to pursuing a Masters in Counseling. This led to Kari’s work as an elementary school counselor for almost 10 years, as well as a private practice through which Kari provided therapy to those in need. Meeting individuals where they are in their own personal journey of growth has always been an integral part of Kari’s approach.
Meet Kari
Marissa Manza.
Marissa has been an elementary school educator for nine years and has experience in special education, classroom teaching and multilingual learning. She is currently the multilingual learning specialist/coach at a K-5 school.
Meet Marissa