Leslie Huscher, M.A. - Director
Leslie has been teaching for over 30 years in both special and general education classrooms. For the past 15 years, and has acted as the director of Big Springs Educational Therapy Center and School. Within this setting, she conducts evaluations, teaches students with Asperger’s Syndrome/High Functioning Autism, oversees our professional team, and conducts educational therapy. Leslie is also an adjunct professor for the UCR extension program and teaches classes on Educational Therapy and Assessments. She has her Multiple-Subject CA Clear Teaching Credential with a Master’s in Special Education. Leslie lives in Temecula with her husband. She has three children and three grandchildren.
Chris Huscher, B.A. - Director of Middle School High School Support Program
Chris serves as the Middle School/High School Support Director for Big Springs Educational Therapy Center in Temecula. As director, Chris works with students who are enrolled in Public and Charter Schools as well as overseeing both staff and program. The Middle School/High School Support Program was developed to assist students who benefit from a small structured classroom environment. While the High School/Middle School support program is not a school, it does provide the assistance that some students need as they encounter the rigors of secondary CORE curriculum.
Chris earned his Bachelor’s degree in Pre-law from Concordia University Irvine and continued at Concordia to receive his Clear California Secondary Teaching Credential in both Language Arts and Social Studies. Chris has spent nearly 30 years in the Educational field working in both Public and Parochial schools and serving as a Director of Christian Education for three local churches in the Southern California area. Chris's two loves are music and family. He has a wife, three children, and three grandchildren. He currently serves as Worship Leader for a local Church in Temecula, CA.
Jennifer O'Malley, M.A., LEP, BCBA - School Psychologist, Behavior Intervention Case Manager
Jennifer serves as the educational psychologist for Big Spring’s clinics and schools. She runs counseling and social skills groups during and after school. Jennifer serves as the director and one of the supervisors of Big Springs ABA program. She has created an innovative program that combines the principles of educational therapy and Applied Behavioral Analysis in order to help cultivate students with behavioral problems into successful learners. Jennifer also runs parenting in-services on a variety of topics for parents of children with disabilities (i.e. dyslexia, Autism, dyscalculia, etc.).
Jennifer earned her Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Concordia University Irvine and her Master’s degree in Educational Psychology from Azusa Pacific University. She lives in Temecula with her husband, daughter, and two sons.
Dorinda Wheelock, M.S. - Speech and Language Pathologist
Dindy serves as the speech and language therapist for the Big Springs Riverside. She specializes in diagnosing and providing therapy for children with language and academic difficulties like dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia.
Dindy has over 40 years experience working as a speech and language therapist and teaching children and adults with learning difficulties. She has taught classes at UCR extension in the educational therapy certificate program, at Crafton Hills College in the speech/language pathology assistant program and has been a guest lecturer for various organizations speaking about language and learning disabilities.
Dindy has a BA and MS in Communicative Disorders from the University of Redlands and has taken additional classes in teaching students with autism and sensory problems. She holds a Standard Teaching Credential: Restricted Special Education, Speech and Hearing; Administrative Services Credential; Teaching Credential: Special Learning Handicapped and is licensed by the Board of Examiners of the State of California, in Speech Pathology.
Krista Capp, BCBA
Krista is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who has 15 years of experience working with children with autism. After earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Krista went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology, with an emphasis in Marriage Family Therapy and a specialization in autism. She completed post-graduate coursework at UMass Lowell, earning a certificate in Behavioral Intervention in Autism. Krista has developed, implemented, and overseen home and school programs, utilizing Applied Behavior Analysis to support behavior, academic skills, play skills, social skills, communication skills, and sensory needs. Krista incorporates specialized programs such as Discrete Trial Training (DTT), the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), and Natural Environment Teaching (NET). Krista has a passion for working with children and families affected by ASD. She values working collaboratively with all team members in order to support the individual strengths and needs of each child.