YALE School Ellisburg Campus

Campus Description

Y.A.L.E. School’s Ellisburg campus, located at Connecticut Avenue and NJ Route 70 in the Ellisburg section of Cherry Hill, serves students 5 to 21 years of age with emotional and behavioral difficulties and specific learning and/or multiple disabilities. Some students may have a clinical diagnosis of anxiety disorder, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (A.D.H.D.), mood, personality, obsessive-compulsive, or oppositional-defiant disorders, and/or specific learning disability. Most struggle with effective relationships with peers and adults.

Classrooms are equipped with state-of-the art educational technology, including computers and software for each student. The school has a well-equipped science classroom, a visual arts and graphic design lab, a large indoor multipurpose room with fitness area for physical education, an auditorium, kitchen, nurse’s office, and more.

Students 14 years of age and older receive individualized transition services to prepare them for life after graduation. The program’s intensive school-to-work curriculum includes vocational planning and support, job skills training and mentoring, and practical on-the-job experience in the community.

Y.A.L.E. School Ellisburg Team Leaders:

Alvin Doyle, Jr., M.Ed. – Campus Director at Y.A.L.E. School’s Ellisburg Campus.

Al has been with the Y.A.L.E. family of programs for nearly 35 years.

He earned his master’s degree in education from Lehigh University and holds a principal certification in New Jersey, along with a teacher of the handicapped certification in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

A veteran educator, he is a strong advocate for at-risk children and youth. Al is deeply committed to building a community of support and works to build positive relationships with parents, law enforcement, and child advocacy organizations.

Andrea Damiani, M.Ed, LCSW – Principal of Y.A.L.E. School’s Ellisburg Campus.

Andrea has been with YALE School since 2015.

She holds a Master’s degree is Educational Leadership from Cheyney University and a Master’s degree in Social Work from Rutgers University. She is certified in the state of New Jersey as a School Principal, School Supervisor, School Social Worker, and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Andrea is also a trainer for the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program.

Andrea comes to YALE with 13 years of experience in education with the Camden City School District. She has volunteered with the Camden County Traumatic Loss Coalition as a trauma first responder and is a mentor to at-risk youth.

As the school leader Andrea enjoys getting to know each student and working closely with parents.

G.W. Krauss, Psy.D., BCB – Assistant Director at Y.A.L.E. School.

Dr. Krauss has been with Y.A.L.E. since 2010 and is responsible for policy design and implementation for behavioral and social learning programs

He earned a doctorate and master’s degree in clinical psychology from Widener University, as well as a master’s degree in community psychology from the University of Alaska.  He is certified in New Jersey as a school social worker and is a certified Red Cross mental health disaster responder. Dr. Krauss is certified in neuropsychology, biofeedback, SERE, and aeromedical psychology.

Dr. Krauss supervises faculty in development and implementation of behavioral intervention programs and clinical services in special education.  He is co-author of LEGO®-Based Therapy: How to build social competence through LEGO®-based Clubs for children with autism and related conditions.

In addition to his work at Y.A.L.E., Dr. Krauss serves in the Army Reserves as a clinical psychologist assigned to the 327th Medical Detachment Combat Operations Stress Control Unit.

Noah McKay – Lead Teacher at Y.A.L.E.’s Ellisburg campus.

Noah has been with Y.A.L.E. School since 2006. He earned a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education from Bethany College.  He is currently enrolled in Wilmington University, and will earn a Master’s degree in school leadership in the fall of 2016. Upon graduation Noah will hold both a supervisor’s certification and a principal’s certification.

Noah was instrumental in establishing the Green Vision recycling program, a work-study program at Y.A.L.E.  He has delivered workshops in the areas of school wide positive behavior support, effective communication with parents, and building community relationships. As a school leader, Noah strives to manage and organize the operations of a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment, and also to collaborate with families, district representatives, and the community to meet the individual needs of each student.

Dr. Danielle Taylor, Psy.D. – Danielle earned a B.A. in Psychology from Hartwick College as well as a M.S. in Educational Psychology and Statistics and a doctorate in School Psychology from the University at Albany.  She also earned her NJDOE Supervisor certification through Montclair State University.  Dr. Taylor is also a certified Pet Partners therapy team evaluator.  She is a nationally and NJDOE certified school psychologist that has worked in public and private schools, as well as, clinical settings in NJ, NY, PA, and VA. ,

Dr. Taylor is a sought after speaker, having presented at state and national conferences, provided educational workshops to both professionals and families including several school districts and child study teams in NJ on a variety of topics including Dyslexia, academic interventions, behavior management, psycho-educational assessment, and animal-assisted therapy.

Professionally active, she serves as Vice-Chair of the Children’s Interagency Coordinating Council-Atlantic County, Co-Chair of the Transition Coordinators Network of South Jersey, and the New Jersey Association of School Psychologists Executive Board.  She is also an adjunct psychology professor at Rowan University.

The Ellisburg campus offers:

• Low student-to-staff ratio
• Highly-qualified teachers
• Small group instruction
• ABA-based instruction
• Counseling services for students and families
• A strong therapeutic focus
• Data-based instruction and intervention
• School to work opportunities
• Social skills instruction
• Ongoing program review
• Curriculum that stresses academics, independence, social and communication skills
• Trips and activities in the community
• Extensive parent training and support
• Opportunities to participate on athletic teams
• Individualized transition planning and post-graduation placement
• Frequent communication between school, home, and the referring district
• An extended school year program