Unlocking Abilities Behavior and Learning, LLC

12/18/2025

Last week was filled with all the festive fun during our monthly UABL all-staff training — and it was one for the books! 🎄✨
We kicked off the evening with a surprise baby shower for Laura, who is getting ready to welcome baby #3 — and her very first BOY! 💙👶

It was so special to shower her with love, laughter, and lots of boy-themed goodies as she prepares for this exciting new chapter with her growing family. We are officially counting down the days until we get to meet the newest (and tiniest!) member of the UABL family.

After the celebration, we jumped right into our monthly training, which featured:

🍲 A delicious soup swap
🎄 Holiday-themed games
🏠 And a gingerbread house competition to wrap up the night
Huge congratulations to Team Laura (Laura, Maddy, Kyla H., Tyler, and Sara) for taking home the win in the gingerbread house showdown! 🏆

And a special shoutout to Sara, who claimed first place in the soup swap with her amazing homemade potato soup — a true crowd favorite!

Thank you to all of our incredible staff who jumped in, participated, and brought the energy. You made our monthly all-staff training extra holly, jolly, and full of heart — just the way we like it at UABL. 💙🎄✨

12/15/2025

🚨 Just 3.5 hours to go! 🚨

Join us tonight at 6:30 PM for Inside the IEP on Zoom — practical guidance, real answers, and community support. 💛

✨ Don’t forget to join us — we can’t wait to connect with you!

👇👇 LINK BELOW 👇👇
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87947265981...
Password: 804099

12/15/2025

👋 Meet Amanda Pyzik

Mental Health Coordinator, Metea Valley High School
We're honored to introduce Amanda Pyzik, a seasoned educational leader with more than 20 years of experience supporting student well-being, counseling programs, and inclusive school communities! 💙✨

In her current role as Mental Health Coordinator in Indian Prairie School District, Amanda:

• 💛 Oversees social-emotional supports & programming
• 🏥 Serves as the hospital liaison for students receiving treatment
• 🤝 Contributes to SEL initiatives across the district as a member of the SEL Committee

Previously, Amanda served as the Department Chair of School Counseling at Naperville North High School, where she:
• 🔎 Strengthened MTSS practices
• 📘 Improved Section 504 compliance
• 🎓 Expanded AP access for underrepresented students
• 🧭 Helped implement a district-wide 6–12 counseling curriculum

With a career spanning school counseling, special education case management, 504 coordination, transition programming, and student services leadership, Amanda has dedicated her work to ensuring every learner receives the support they deserve. 🌈📚

🎓 Amanda holds degrees from Illinois State University and Lewis University, along with her administrative certification.
She is passionate about fostering inclusive schools, promoting mental health, and uplifting students through connection and opportunity. 💛✨

We can’t wait for you to hear Amanda’s insight at our Inside the IEP workshop!

12/13/2025

🎉 Happy Birthday, Miss Molly!! 🎉

Where do we even begin?! Molly has been part of the UABL family for almost a year and a half, and every single day she brings her whole heart, her joy, and her trademark calming energy to our center.

If you know Molly, you know she is genuine, authentic, and as caring as they come. Her smile lights up any room, her patience is unmatched, and her goofy, joyful personality makes even the toughest days feel a little lighter. She’s a phenomenal teacher and someone who pours so much love into every learner she supports. 💙

Molly leads with compassion, confidence, and a deep belief in the abilities of those around her. She brings warmth, positivity, and heart into everything she does — and as she always says:
✨ “It’s a great day to have a great day.” ✨ And Molly truly makes it one.

Outside of work, she’s just as wonderful:
☕ Fueled by all things caffeine — coffee, energy drinks, you name it
📚 A book lover and music enthusiast (especially if it’s Taylor Swift 🎤💛)
🙏 Deeply involved in her church and youth ministry
🐾 Proud cat mom to Lilly, Daisy Mae, and Tyrese
👯‍♀️ A loyal friend who loves spending time with her people

So today, we’re wishing her:
☕ A cup of coffee that never goes empty
💛 A Taylor Swift song for every mood
📚 A peaceful moment with a good book
😄 And a day full of laughter — the same kind she gives all of us

Happy Birthday, Molly!

Thank you for being such a bright, steady, joyful presence at UABL. We are so lucky to have you, and we hope your day is just as beautiful as the heart you bring to our kiddos every single day. 💙🎂✨

12/12/2025

🎉 Happy (Belated!) Birthday, Amber!! 🎉

We’re a day late… and Amber didn’t say a thing about it — which honestly feels very on brand for her. 💙

Amber may be one of the newest members of our UABL family, but she has already made such a meaningful impact. With just under a year of ABA experience and a natural gift for connecting with kiddos, she joined UABL as an RBT just a few weeks ago — and from day one, the connection with our kiddos is obvious and adorable.

She brings a calm energy, a warm presence, and a smile that seems to follow her everywhere. Amber is nurturing, patient, dependable, and the kind of person who instantly makes the room feel lighter. We are SO grateful she chose to bring her heart and talents to Unlocking Abilities.

And of course, we have to brag a little about who Amber is outside of work, too:

🐾 A true animal lover — proud dog mom + cat mom of three
📚 A homebody at heart who’d choose books over movies
🎨 Lover of coloring, diamond art, and all things creative
🍟 Fueled by McDonald’s, Dr. Pepper, and loyal White Sox energy

So even a day late, we’re wishing her:
🐶 Extra snuggles from her fur babies
📖 A quiet moment with a good book
🧋 A bottomless Dr. Pepper
✨ And all the appreciation she deserves — not just on her birthday, but every day

💛🎂

12/11/2025

👋 Meet Caitlin Caire, M.Ed., Ed.S., NCSP

We’re excited to introduce Caitlin Caire, an incredible School Psychologist and doctoral candidate who brings deep expertise — and heart — to supporting students and families! 💙✨

🧠 With experience in neuropsychology assessment, neurofeedback, and psychoeducational evaluations, Caitlin has a strong foundation in understanding how students learn and thrive. She currently works in Illinois public schools, specializing in:

• 📘 Psychoeducational evaluations
• 🤝 Multidisciplinary collaboration
• 🧩 Behavior supports
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Helping families navigate the special education process

Caitlin is passionate about clear communication, collaborative problem-solving, and ensuring all students have equal access to an appropriate education.

🎓 She is also a doctoral candidate at Loyola University Chicago, continuing her commitment to research, advocacy, and elevating student support systems.

✨ We’re thrilled to have Caitlin share her insight and expertise at our Inside the IEP workshop!

12/10/2025

🌟 Inside the IEP: SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT 🌟

👋 Meet Alena Edwards

We’re thrilled to welcome Alena Edwards, an exceptional leader in special education and student services, as one of our workshop presenters! ✨

🎓 Alena previously served as the Director of Student Services for DuPage High School District 88, where she oversaw programming and supports at both Willowbrook High School and Addison Trail High School. She is now the Student Services Coordinator in West Chicago District 33, continuing her dedication to ensuring that all students receive the support they need to succeed. 🙌

With a career grounded in impact — from teaching special education and coordinating 504 plans, to leading ESY programs, coaching Special Olympics, supporting PBIS initiatives, and developing student leadership — Alena brings a wealth of knowledge and compassion to families navigating the IEP journey. 💙📘

📚 Education & Credentials:
• B.A. in Psychology – University of Michigan
• M.A. in Special Education + Administrative Credentials – Lewis University
• Director of Special Education Certificate coursework
• Continuing education at Augustana University

✨ We are so grateful for Alena’s generosity — a huge thank you to her for donating her time and expertise to support our families and this event!

We can’t wait for you to learn from her at our Inside the IEP workshop!

12/09/2025

✨🎄 Santa Needs Our Help Filling His Giving Sleigh! 🎄✨

Santa & Mrs. Claus are making a very special stop at Unlocking Abilities on December 19th, and they’ve asked us to help them spread a little extra magic this season! 🎅❤️

To make sure every family in our community feels the warmth of the holidays, we’re hosting a Food Drive now through December 15th.

🛷 Your donations will help Santa fill his “Giving Sleigh” with kindness, care, and yummy holiday cheer!

🎁 Requested items include:
• Non-perishable canned goods
• Pasta & rice
• Boxed meals
• Breakfast items
• Kid-friendly snacks

Every item makes a difference — and helps Santa deliver joy where it’s needed most.

Thank you for helping us light up the season! ✨❤️

12/06/2025

Navigating the IEP process doesn’t have to feel overwhelming — unlock the tools and knowledge you need to confidently advocate for your child.

11/30/2025

✨ NEW UABL Crewneck Sweatshirts Are Here! ✨
…brought to you courtesy of Stevi’s nonstop campaigning for a "green crewneck sweatshirt"

We’re excited to finally offer these super-soft UABL crewneck sweatshirts — perfect for staying cozy while representing our mission. Even better? We’re offering them at cost to make sure our employees, families, and supporters can order one and rock UABL with pride. No markup, just love for our community! 💛

And because we want everyone to be able to show their support…

🔥 UABL hoodies and UABL Supporter T-Shirts are also available at cost now through January 1st! 🔥

These items are comfy, durable, mission-forward! Let’s flood Morris with UABL pride this winter! 💙🙌

Limited colors & sizes available — grab yours while they last!

Show your support for Unlocking Abilities with this ultra-comfortable UABL Adult Crewneck Sweatshirt! Soft, durable, and designed for everyday wear, this classic crewneck is perfect for anyone who wants to stay cozy while representing a mission that matters. Made from a premium cotton-poly blend, it...

11/29/2025

✨ Wrapping Up Our Therapist Spotlight: Molly! ✨

As we wrap up Molly’s Therapist Spotlight, we’re celebrating the kindness, patience, and steady positivity she brings to UABL every day. Her genuine love for the kiddos shines through in everything she does, and it’s easy to see why they light up when she walks in. 💙

We’re ending her spotlight with a fun visual highlighting all of her favorites — her likes, dislikes, quirks, and the small things that make her uniquely her. 🌼📚☕

Molly is an incredible therapist with a caring soul, a contagious smile, and a natural ability to help our learners grow. UABL is kinder, brighter, and more joyful because of her. ✨

💙 Help us show Molly some love as we wrap up her Therapist Spotlight! 💙

11/27/2025

🍁 Happy Thanksgiving from Unlocking Abilities! 🧡💙

Today and every day, we are grateful for the incredible community that surrounds us — our amazing kiddos, their families, our dedicated therapists and staff, and the supporters who believe in our mission to help every child grow, learn, and thrive.

As we gather with loved ones today, we’re reminded of how much joy, laughter, and purpose our UABL family brings into our lives. We are truly thankful for each of you.

Wishing you a warm, safe, and joyful Thanksgiving filled with connection, comfort, and gratitude. 🦃🍂

From our UABL family to yours — thank you for being part of our story.

🧡 With gratitude,
Unlocking Abilities Behavior & Learning