Leslie is a graduate student at UT Health Science Center San Antonio, where she is studying to receive her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy. She received her Bachelor of Health Science from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor before moving to San Antonio. She has been working with children for 12 years and has two years of experience working with children with special healthcare needs. Leslie is passionate about working with children and wants to continue in pediatrics when she completes her degree in the Spring of 2026. Leslie enjoys exploring San Antonio in her free time, including attending farmer’s markets, and museums, and trying out local coffee shops.
Claudia Foster is a board-certified physical therapist with 3+ years of experience in pediatric physical therapy. She received my bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation services from The University of Texas- RGV and her doctorate degree from the University of St. Augustin for Health Sciences in Austin, Texas. Most of Claudia’s experience comes from a home health setting where she specialized in early intervention services with children from birth-5 years old. She has experience treating children who have Down Syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, global developmental delays and other diagnoses that affect gross motor skills. Claudia is a Cure Duchenne Certified Physical Therapist and an employee of CHRISTUS Childrens where she works with children in an outpatient setting.
Claudia is excited to be a part of the Rise School of San Antonio and to be involved with an organization that makes inclusivity a standard practice. She looks forward to working with all the littles and to be part of a team that focuses on the wellbeing of the whole child.
Xochitl Hughes has been a pediatric occupational therapist for over 25 years. She has worked at Christus Children’s Hospital for over 25 years in both full-time and part-time capacities. She has also worked in the school system for 2 years. Xochitl is certified in Sensory Integration, Primitive Reflex Integration, and in Handwriting Without Tears. Xochitl has homeschooled all three of her children. Two are currently attending college and her youngest is in 8th grade. In the homeschool realm Xochitl has assisted numerous families address developmental delays to improve daily function and school performance. She is passionate about using her skills to empower children and families.
Xochitl also teaches SAT prep classes and tutors. When not working, Xochitl can usually be found outside. She loves long walks, short runs, bike riding, gardening, and reading books on the porch.
Rebecca earned her bachelor’s degree in special education from Texas A&M University and graduated with her master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders from Texas State University. Rebecca has experience working in a variety of settings including school systems ECI-12th grade, hospital, and clinic settings. Her passions are supporting children and their families in establishing basic and functional communication skills and supporting safe and successful feeding patterns. She enjoys using assistive and alternative communication (AAC) to support children’s ability to access communication. She is certified in Beckman oral-motor protocol, Vital Stim, and McNeil Dysphagia Therapy Program.
Rose is a board-certified music therapist and licensed master social worker. She earned her Bachelor of Music Therapy at Loyola University New Orleans and her Master of Social Work at the University of Southern California. She brings over fifteen years of experience working with children and other individuals with developmental disabilities. Rose owns Crescendo Center PLLC, a music therapy private practice in Southtown. She is also an adjunct faculty member in the music department of the University of the Incarnate Word. Rose strongly believes in the benefits of both inclusive settings and interdisciplinary services, especially for young children. Outside of work, Rose enjoys spending time with her husband and school-aged son (and the family cats), cooking, attending concerts and theatrical productions, and traveling.
Gabriella Alcala’-Coleman has been caring for children in a classroom setting since 2008. She graduated in 2015 with an Associate’s in Early Childhood Studies and is currently working on her Bachelor’s in Child Development, which will be completed in August 2025. She has also had prior experience working with occupational, physical, and speech therapists in the school setting to create individualized learning plans for children of different abilities. In addition, Gaby enjoys developing her knowledge-base through books and hands-on training, and she describes her career in teaching as a “wonderful experience.”
Norma Contreras has over 30 years of experience in administrative and customer service roles. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in English from the University of Texas at San Antonio. When Norma is not working, she enjoys spending time with family, going to flea markets and farmers markets, and baking. Her oldest just graduated college, her youngest is just starting high school where he involved in FFA (Future Farmers of America). On the weekends you can find her and her husband helping their son feed and care for his show goats that he will show at San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. Norma is excited to take on the role of Office Manager for the Rise School of San Antonio. She is looking forward to being approachable and nurturing in her commitment to promoting a positive and inclusive school community.
Cassie graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Sam Houston State University, where she completed Student Teaching in Kindergarten. Her background ranges from experience in Church childcare with early learners, as well as First, and Second Grade Teaching roles. She enjoys helping children see their own value as an individual and bringing the love of learning alive in students.
Maria has been working with children for the last 20 years. She has held roles ranging from site director for an after-school program to teaching children who are deaf and hearing impaired. She is passionate about helping children learn and build life skills, and she loves watching them grow into their own individual personalities. Maria is a mother of two amazing boys– a nine-year-old and a 20-year-old. Her youngest is in the fourth grade, and her 20-year-old son recently joined the Army. She has been grateful to be both an Army mom and a Soccer mom in the same year. Maria is excited to grow with the Rise School and become a part of the Rise family, and she is eager to get to know all of our students and families!
