Meet the First Journeys Staff:

Jean Meares is the founder and director of First Journeys Developmental Therapy.  She has over 19 years of experience in Special Education, with 14 of those years in Early intervention (ages 0-3).  Jean holds a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, a Master's Degree Special Education with a focus on Mental Disabilities and the Infant, Toddler, and Family Specialist Certification.  Jean has been a director and teacher of an inclusive preschool, Case Manager, Child Development Specialist, and Social Worker.  She has experience with a variety of issues including autism, arthrogryposis, Down Syndrome, sensory integration, visually impaired, preemies, global delays, behavior issues, and communication delays.   Jean enjoys working with all ability levels and has a unique gift for being resourceful and creative in how she helps and supports children and their families.  She has a gentle nature, is very patient, and is able to persevere under any circumstances.  She provides CBRS/DT in Wake, Harnett, and Lee Counties.  Jean lives with her husband and two young daughters in southern Raleigh.   

Sara Kunce brings more than 13 years of experience in working with young children and has been providing Developmental Therapy for First Journeys for over 3 years.  She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education with a focus on Special Education and Child Develoment.  She also has the Infant, Toddler, and Family Specialist Certification.  Sara has a wide range of experience in early childhood education, including working with children on the autism spectrum, social and sensory integration, developmental delays due to early gestational age, Down Syndrome, and visual/hearing impairment.  Sara is child and family-centered, goal oriented, and finds creative and engaging ways to meet children's individual needs.  As a therapist and a mother, Sara offers parental support, resources, and practical strategies to families.  She understands and embraces the trials and tribulations that all parents of young children face.

Sara's passion is working with and supporting young children and their families.  She has a flexible work schedule, including nights and weekends, and will strive to meet the needs of families' unique situations.  Sara provides CBRS/Developmental Therapy in Wake, Granville, Franklin, Vance, Warren, Durham, and Orange Counties.

Kathy Hayner has been a kindergarten teacher for over 7 years, and has also had experience as a preschool teacher.  Kathy holds a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education.  She has an easy-going nature and has experience with behavior challenges, sensory integration issues, preemies, autism, and language delays.  Kathy brings a special gift to us as she has had the opportunity to have her son enrolled in the First Journeys program.  She is able to empathize with parents and offer support and practical strategies to families.  Kathy has experience with fostering and adoption and is happy to share her story with other families in the same situation.   Kathy provides CBRS/Developmental Therapy in Wake, Chatham, Harnett, and Lee Counties. 

Kathy is gentle, resourceful, and passionate about helping families and children reach their goals.  Kathy lives with her husband and two children in Fuquay-Varina. 

Lindsay Graham  has over 10 years of experience as a Special Educator in the Granville County School System with a variety of ages.  She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology with a minor in Specific Learning Disabilities.   Lindsay is patient, kind, and able to work with families in a variety of situations and settings.   She is creative and will adapt environment in order to better meet the needs of the children and families she serves.   She also has experience as a preschool teacher of 3 and 4 year olds in an inclusive preschool setting.  Lindsay has worked with children with behavior challenges, Autism, preemies, language delays, and sensory processing concerns.  Lindsay resides in Granville County with her husband and two young sons.  Lindsay provides CBRS/Developmental Therapy in Wake, Granville, Franklin, Vance, Warren, Durham, and Orange Counties.

Niki Schreibeck comes to First Journeys with 12 years of experience working with young children.  She received her Birth-Kindergarten license and Bachelor's degree in Child Development from Meredith College. Niki likes to "think outside the box".  She was nominated for the Mary Briggs childcare provider of the year in 2005 and came in the top 5 providers in the Triangle.   Niki has taught, cared for and loved typically developing children, as well as children with Down syndrome, autism, sensory integration, speech delays, ADD/ADHD, as well as children with emotional and social behavioral struggles.  She believes that children learn best through play and that learning about a child's likes and dislikes first greatly aids the therapy process.   Niki has spent the last 5 years teaching children 0-5, most recently teaching two year olds for a year then creating and implementing a k5 readiness program for 2 years.  She also leads mom's and children's ministries at her church and enjoys taking care of her husband and young daughter.   Niki provides CBRS/DT in Wake, Chatham, Harnett, and Lee Counties.