REEL Team | Profile

Profile

Join date: Feb 15, 2022

About

ABBY KIRIGIN, Ed.D.

Executive Director

Abby worked in tech and startups as an interaction designer for several years before pivoting to education as a result of raising her own twice-exceptional children. Abby received a doctorate from the Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity in Education, where she developed a curriculum to support neurodivergent middle schoolers in strengths-based career exploration. She holds a Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction from Carnegie Mellon and a BA from NYU.

CALLIE TURK

Co-Founder, Board Chair

Callie is the mom of three teens, one of whom is 2e. Callie draws on her 15-plus year career working with ed tech companies and school districts at the cutting edge of educator professional learning. Callie received her MBA from Stanford University and BS from Miami University (Ohio). She is also a doctoral student with the Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity in Education.

YAEL VALEK

Co-Founder, Board Secretary

Yael has two 2e sons in middle and high school. Yael co-founded start-ups in the parenting community and children's creativity spaces. She has served on the board and advisory committees for several education-based non-profits. Yael received her BS and MS in Computer Science from Stanford University.

Posts (115)

Mar 16, 2026 ∙ 42 min

After the Diagnosis: Guiding Children Toward a Positive Neurodivergent Identity

Dr. Stacy Greeter presented "After the Diagnosis: Guiding Children Toward a Positive Neurodivergent Identity" for REAL, a nonprofit supporting twice-exceptional students. Drawing on her own late autism diagnosis, she contrasted deficit-based models with neurodiversity-affirming care, emphasizing strength-based framing. The Q&A covered age-appropriate disclosure, emotional regulation, finding community, and parental support.

406

Mar 12, 2026 ∙ 8 min

Mochi Dude, Body Dude & Hot Cocoa Dude: How Silly Characters Can Reframe Essay Writing

Writing coaches Shu-Hsien Ho and Royd Hatta of Beyond the Box Learning help youth ages 7–21 write with power, clarity, and ease. Since 1996, they’ve used playful, visual strategies to teach essays, stories, and more through homeschool classes, summer camps, and Bay Area young writers clubs.

Mar 11, 2026 ∙ 6 min

Speaking Their Language: How Strengths-Based Communication Builds Trust, Confidence, and Connection

In this keynote address from the 2026 REEL Strengths Fair, neurodiversity activist and author Amanda Morin explores the transformative power of strengths-based communication. Drawing from her personal journey as a mother of neurodivergent children and her professional expertise, Morin argues that traditional "inherited" language often places undue emotional pressure and judgment on neurodivergent individuals.

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