Our Team - Continua Consulting Group

Team

Founder

Chris L. Daikos MiT, MEd, EdS.

Christopher Daikos is an experienced educational & psychological consultant, school administrator, special education teacher and school psychologist.

In the 1970’s & 80’s Christopher struggled significantly as a student. He had a speech impediment, was medicated for ADHD and was identified with a reading disorder, dyslexia. Raised in a physically and psychologically abusive household, Christopher would often use behaviors modeled at home to avoid academic tasks he perceived as unachievable at school. Years later, after serving in the Army, Christopher was referred to counseling through the VA where he learned mental health skills, like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT,) and gained new perspective on the function of behavior and emotions. These skills helped Christopher return to college and complete his undergraduate degree and too many graduate degrees.

Christopher’s first experience as an educator was serving youth who were identified with Emotional Behavior Disorders (EBD). Most of his students were experiencing complex and tumultuous lives impacted by trauma and violence. Christopher and his colleagues brought in services to help cultivate missing skills and provide necessary resources for students to thrive. Student academic outcomes and achievements off campus increased significantly. This experience informed Christopher’s career and consultancy to develop egalitarian psychological understanding and the tools necessary for resilience.

Christopher co-founded Continua Consulting Group to help school systems develop an egalitarian psychological approach to the educational experience. Christopher supports schools to implement sustainable practices in student skill development addressing anxiety, depression, self-soothing and a lexicon for communicating psychological needs. Christopher holds a Bachelor of Science of Arts Degree in Ecological Studies and Philosophy from Seattle University, a Master of Special Education Degree from Seattle University, a Master of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies from University of Washington, an Educational Specialist degree in School Psychology from University of Washington.

Founder

Courtney Vollan Daikos MEd

Courtney Daikos is an educational leader with over 25 years of public school leadership experience as classroom teacher, instructional coach, K-12 administrator and as a consultant. She served as an elementary interventionist in Chicago Public Schools and an instructional literacy coach in Seattle Public Schools. In Highline Public Schools Courtney served as a K-12 Assistant Director, High School Assistant Principal and Elementary Principal. Courtney's leadership fostered significant improvement for student learning in ELA, language acquisition, STEM, social science, emotional and behavioral learning in the schools and systems she served.

As Lead Consultant and Co-Founder of Continua Consulting Group, Courtney supports school districts in successfully implementing the Trauma-Informed Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (T-MTSS) framework. Courtney's expertise in instructional design, leadership, child development, culturally responsive pedagogy and systems implementation provide for skillful, strategic consultation to principals, system leaders and teaching professionals. Courtney holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from University of Illinois, a Master of Education Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from University of Washington, and a P-3 Executive Leadership Certificate from the University of Washington's P-3 Center.

Consultant

Brianne Rokey EdS

Brianne Rokey is a nationally certified school psychologist (NCSP) and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in the state of Washington. She is a certified International Institute of Restorative Practices (IIRP) Trainer, and a Breathe for Change Social-Emotional Learning Facilitator (SEL*F) and Yoga Instructor (CYT 200). Her passions lie in school-based mental health, behavioral intervention design and implementation, restorative practices, and special education advocacy.

Brianne previously served as a school psychologist for Seattle Public Schools, PreK- grade 12. In Seattle, Brianne facilitated the restructuring of emotional-behavior support programs and the development of multi-tiered systems of supports. As a leader in the district’s school psychology department, Brianne supervised graduate students and mentored early career school psychologists. As part of the Continua Consulting Team, Brianne brings expertise to building tiered behavioral and mental health supports, supporting educator wellness, implementing restorative practices, and facilitating community circles. Brianne also operates her own mental health private practice in Washington State, providing counseling services to teens and adults who are experiencing challenges related to anxiety, depression, and trauma exposure. Brianne has Education Specialist (EdS) in School Psychology from the University of Washington.

Consultant

Heather Wixom-Sweeney

Heather Wixom-Sweeney has been with Continua for five years and in that time has supported school districts in multiple states with establishing foundational practices for MTSS. Her support focuses on collaborative practices, data infrastructure, and aligning adult practice around trauma informed understanding.

Heather is an experienced urban educator with 20+ years of public-school experience in K-12 general and special education classrooms and central office leadership. She provides extensive knowledge in the use of adult learning principles, integrating data-informed practices, implementation of technology systems, and professional development (PD) design and delivery. Heather has led cross-departmental collaborative work throughout Washington State public schools. She was on the design team for the Seattle Public Schools (SPS) MTSS framework and directly supported principals and teacher leaders with understanding the framework and developing their professional learning plan for staff. Heather’s passion is to increase equity in education through developing adult skills in collaboration and data-informed practice.

Heather holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a certificate to teach Special Education from Western Washington University. Heather continued her education through Columbia University Teachers College focused on the Reader’s/ Writer’s Workshop Literacy Model and learning to become a literacy instructional coach. Heather was trained on DataWise by Harvard University to support school and district data inquiry cycles of improvement, and engaged in Learning Forward training with John Hattie’s Visible Learning organization. Heather is also a School Reform Faculty (SRF) trained protocol facilitator. Currently Heather provides consultation to multiple school districts on the implementation and systems design for the School Data Solutions (SDS) Homeroom Datahub platform.

Consultant

Tovah Fairshot

Since 2011, Tovah Denaro has provided specialized educational and behavioral services to youth, ranging K-12. Tovah served as a special education teacher in Seattle Public Schools, a behavior specialist and curriculum developer in Las Vegas, and a district behavior specialist and PBIS Coach for Federal Way Public Schools. Tovah found her passion developing relationships, building wraparound supports, and educating youth with Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities (EBD) within a Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) framework. From her experiences in the classroom and developing Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum in a variety of school districts, Tovah focused on changing and growing school climate and culture to aid in the support for all students and staff, through Positive Behavior Interventions and Systems (PBIS).

Tovah has partnered with numerous schools and districts to develop supports and resources for students that identify within the LGBTQIA+ community in order to make schools safe, welcoming, and inclusive of all. Tovah strategically implements customized action plans and solutions for schools. Tovah is SWIS facilitator certified, as well as a Right Response instructor. Tovah is currently pursuing her Doctorate in k-12 Urban Education through the University of Southern California.

Consultant

James Miles

James Miles is excited to have joined the Continua Consulting team in 2020 after moving to Seattle in 2016 from New York City, where he worked as an educator in the NYC public school system for almost 20 years. Currently the Executive Director of Mentor Washington, Miles was previously the Executive Director of Seattle based Arts Corps. Originally from Chicago, Miles has worked internationally as an artist and educator, who was inspired to foment change after seeing so many children that looked like him, get disregarded and treated like criminals by our educational systems. His acclaimed TedX Talk focuses on his mission to narrow achievement gaps using the arts as a tool to navigate inequitable educational systems. Miles is a Mayoral Appointee to the Seattle Arts Commission, and on the advisory board of SXSW EDU.

A former accountant, model, and actor, Miles has facilitated workshops and designed curriculum for the New Victory Theater, Roundabout Theatre, Disney Theatrical Group, Village Theatre, Arts Impact, Denver Performing Arts Center, Impact Schools, and others. Previously a professor at NYU, James taught a myriad of classes, ranging from Acting and Directing to EdTech and Special Education. A graduate of Morehouse College and Brandeis University, James has presented at SXSW EDU, NYU’s IMPACT Festival, NYU Shanghai, New York Creative Tech Week, EdTechXEurope, Google Educator Bootcamp, UAEM North America, UAEM Europe, National Guild, ITAC, and provided professional development to teachers across the world. His work has been featured by Pie News, New Profit, Complex Magazine, National Guild, Seattle Times, KOMO, KEXP, NPR, CBS, NBC, US Department of Education, and ASCD. James is the co-founder ofLeadersDontLead.com, a leadership coaching agency. Learn more about James Miles and his work at www.freshprofessor.com.

Consultant

Jordan Thayer, PhD

Dr. Jordan Thayer believes in the transformative power of education for kids, and that education itself needs to transform. Steeped in human psychology, Jordan believes that for an evolution in education to occur, challenging our ingrained beliefs and behavior patterns will be essential. First as a teacher and now as a Licensed Psychologist, Jordan has encouraged children, families, and educators to notice and challenge these patterns by taking risks and experimenting with life. Jordan’s efforts have helped children overcome crippling anxiety and depression via clinical and private practice. Additionally, Jordan has: established and directed school-based mental health clinics; supported schools’ adoption of community school models and trauma-informed systems of support; partnered with multiple education and healthcare institutions to implement and study evidence-based, culturally-responsive practices in schools; and most recently, alongside partners at SAMHSA, NatureBridge, UNMC, and the Mid-America MHTTC , Jordan helped spearhead national efforts to redefine school systems that promote well-being. In his current capacity, Jordan operates a private practice where he provides specialized support to teenagers, adults, and education professionals. Jordan co-founded Benessere Consulting Group and Thayer Organizational & Psychological Services, two consultancies that work in collaboration with Continua Consulting Group. Driven by his expertise in psychology, education, and consultation, Jordan is determined to create a future where well-being is universally recognized and prioritized.

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Team

Chris L. Daikos MiT, MEd, EdS.

Courtney Vollan Daikos MEd

Brianne Rokey EdS

Heather Wixom-Sweeney

Tovah Fairshot

James Miles

Jordan Thayer, PhD

BECKY BROCKMAN

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL SERVICES, SNOHOMISH, WA

JARED GROEHLER

PRINCIPAL, BISHOP ELEMENTARY, ROCHESTER, MN

MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER ON SEL PD

PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHER

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