Team

Joel is the Founder and Managing Partner of The Lifing Group, LLC, started in 2017. He spent five years as a secondary history teacher, varsity baseball coach, and coordinator, and five years working as an academic and career consultant and program director until creating The Lifing Group.

Favorite Inspirational Quote:

“There may be people who have more talent than you, but there’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do.”

– Derek Jeter

• B.A. Secondary Education and History, Roger Williams University
• M.A. Secondary Education and History, UMass Dartmouth
• Ph.D. Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, UMass Dartmouth

Dominique has been with The Lifing Group, LLC since 2020. She was in public education for 14 years serving as a social studies and ELA teacher, as well as a middle school administrator. Dominique is well versed in special education, social emotional learning, and educational policies. She has worked at the district, community, and school levels all of which has led her to utilize and implement different approaches for students, designing and implementing support plans focusing on academic and social development and growth according to their needs and interests.

Favorite Inspirational Quote:

“Be the change you wish to see in the world”

– Gandhi

• BS in Political Science, minor in Sociology, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
• Master of Science in Judicial Administration, Anna Maria College
• MAT, Teaching History
• Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

Elizabeth was a high school media director and advised National Honor Society students, assisting them with college preparation and service activities. She was also the AP Capstone teacher helping students develop writing, research, presentation, and problem-solving. A frequent commencement speaker and presenter at national and international educational conferences, she is a contributing author to several books on curriculum. Her debut book, based on helping youth find their voice in an era standardization, Fighting the Pinocchio Effect, came out in 2020, she is also a board member of 3rd Eye Youth Empowerment.

Favorite Inspirational Quote:

“The apple cannot be stuck back on the Tree of Knowledge; once we begin to see we are doomed and challenged to seek the strength to see more, not less”

– Arthur Miller

• BA Writing, Rhetoric, and Communication, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
• MS Secondary Education and English, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
• D. Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

Brett Conner is a Physical Education teacher, head varsity baseball coach, and athletic recruiting mentor. He motivates children ages 3 to 24 through athletic training and confidence building.

Favorite Inspirational Quote:

“Mentors build mentors. Leaders build leaders. When you look at it closely, it’s really one and the same thing.”

– Tony Dungy

• B.A. Communication, Monmouth University
• M.A. Physical Education, Manhattanville College

Kimberly taught secondary mathematics education at Roger Ludlowe Middle School and Fairfield Ludlowe High School for nine years, including Honors Geometry, AP Calculus BC, and Multivariable Calculus. Currently a Visiting Assistant Professor at Fairfield University and an Adjunct Professor at Fordham University teaching advanced mathematics. Her work as been published in the Journal of Mathematics Education at Teachers College.

Favorite Inspirational Quote:

“Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time.”

– Ruth Bader Ginsberg

• B.Sc. Mathematics, Fairfield University.
• M.Sc. Pure Mathematics at King’s College London
• Ph.D. Mathematics and Education, Teachers College, Columbia University

Rebecca has been a practicing school psychologist at New Fairfield High School for three years where she conducts psychological assessments, facilitates individual and group counseling, engages in crisis and behavioral interventions, fosters executive functioning skills, aids in post-high school transition planning, and integrates school-wide social-emotional learning. Rebecca serves on the Executive Board as the Secretary for the Connecticut Association of School Psychologists (CASP). Within this role Rebecca was awarded the Presidential Citation for outstanding contribution to the professional field of School Psychology.

Favorite Inspirational Quote:

“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear.”

– Franklin D. Roosevelt

• B.A. Social Work, Western Connecticut State University
• M.A. School Psychology, Fairfield University
• S.Y.C. School Psychology, Fairfield University

Lauren Zorrilla has been working in the education field for over a decade. During the course of her teaching career Lauren worked at the elementary school level, teaching second grade in Thailand and fourth grade at a charter school in New Haven, CT. Lauren left teaching to work in college admissions where she focused on meeting the needs of students at various degrees of the college process. Lauren worked with high school juniors and seniors and helped transfer students along with visiting and non-matriculated students engage in college processes.

Prior to her most recent consulting role with The Lifing Group, Lauren was responsible for building a youth program for 6^th-12^th grade students in Greenwich, CT. As the Youth Director she spent her time mentoring students through academic, social, and life challenges while creating community for the students she oversaw. She has a strong passion for working with teenagers to help them navigate through their life journey. Now at The Lifing Group, Lauren is able to expand on her previous experiences and provide clients with more comprehensive services tailored to their needs.

Luke Theriault, a Marine Engineering Systems graduate from the United States Merchant Marine Academy, has been working in the maritime industry for the last five years. In addition to his maritime exploits, Luke has spent three years as a dedicated tutor for college-level engineering courses, sharing his practical insights and knowledge with aspiring engineers. His commitment to education extends beyond the theoretical, as Luke’s real-world experience adds a valuable dimension to his teaching. Whether aboard ships, in shipyards, or in the classroom, Luke brings a unique blend of practical experience and educational insight to the world of engineering.