YOUR CHILD’S SUPPORT TEAM

office team | speech-language + feeding | social/emotional | audiology | motor

Office Team

WHAT’S YOUR WHY? Growing up with a family member with cerebral palsy, Sarah has always been a natural when it comes to working with individuals with disabilities.  This special relationship shaped her childhood in many ways and likely explains her intuitive nature for quickly building meaningful connections with her clients and their families. 

FUN FACT: Sarah is quite the singer---she studied vocal performance in college and has even sang on the stage at Carnegie Hall! Did you know that music can even be incorporated into speech therapy sessions? Growing up practically attached to her toy karaoke machine and Fisher Price cassette player, it is not surprising that Sarah found her passion in a career rooted in communication!

IN YOUR FREE TIME: When Sarah isn’t running the show at Way to Grow, you might find her spending time with her three kiddos, listening to podcasts, traveling around the Midwest, and spoiling her nieces and nephews!

RANKINGS:

Speech Therapy ★★★★★

Athletic ability ★☆☆☆☆

Laughing louder than anyone else ★★★★☆

CONTACT: Contact Sarah directly at smyers@WaytoGrowPediatrics.com.

WHAT’S YOUR WHY? Although Cre primarily focuses on keeping the behind-the-scenes of the business running smoothly, she has an undeniable passion for supporting families and serving children. For Cre, this isn’t just work; it is personal. First hand, she watched her niece get diagnosed with hearing impairments and benefit from therapy. Also, her youngest son, Bryston, struggles with letter sounds and dyslexia. He is currently receiving speech therapy support.

FUN FACT: Dedicated and persistent (and maybe a little crazy?!) would be a few good words to describe Cre! A few years ago, she participated in a 7 mile long obstacle course to test her strength and challenge her stamina. It took hours to complete in miserable weather conditions. She was even close to hypothermia, but crossed the finish line with a proud smile on her face!

IN YOUR FREE TIME: Outside of work, Cre spends most of her time with her family, often showcasing her famous cooking skills. She likes to be involved in the community by volunteering at the Midwest Food Bank...and also goes Salsa dancing for fun!

RANKINGS:

All things office ★★★★★

Sleep ★☆☆☆☆

Customer Service ★★★★★

CONTACT: Contact Cre directly at lgriffin@WaytoGrowPediatrics.com.

WHAT’S YOUR WHY? I am driven by the joy of witnessing a child's progress, big or small. Whether it's taking their first steps, improving their balance, or simply gaining the confidence to play more actively, I want to be a part of that journey. By creating a fun and supportive environment, I strive to unlock a child's physical capabilities and help them experience the freedom and independence that comes with strong mobility. This, in turn, empowers them to participate more fully in life and embrace all the possibilities that come with a healthy body.

FUN FACT: I have spent time in Haiti at Real Hope for Haiti providing therapy, education and skills and techniques. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life! Jenny's husband is also the coach of the Knox Women's Basketball team! 

IN YOUR FREE TIME: Jenny  loves to spend time with her 3 kids looking for a unique place to explore, hopefully somewhere outside! She loves to walk anywhere she can!  

RANKINGS:

Caffeinated ★★★★★

Helping others ★★★★★

Sitting ★☆☆☆☆

Keri Benning, ATC, LAT

POSITION: Human Resources + Operations Manager

SPECIALTIES: Certified Athletic Trainer. Passion for supporting parents and making sure their child’s needs are met.

EDUCATION & TRAINING: Bachelors in Athletic Training

WHAT’S YOUR WHY? After experiencing the positive impact of great care following an orthopedic injury, Keri was inspired to become a certified Athletic Trainer. With over 15 years in patient care, she has seen firsthand how dedicated healthcare professionals can truly make a difference. She thrives on being prepared for any situation and ensuring everyone is ready to tackle what’s next. Her focus is on creating a supportive, efficient environment for both patients and the team.

FUN FACT: Keri spent her honeymoon in the middle of a hurricane. 

IN YOUR FREE TIME: In her free time, Keri loves spending time with her daughters, creating memories and enjoying the little moments. She also loves all family gatherings especially while in Wisconsin or on the farm. You can also usually find her watching or working some type of sporting event when she's not chasing after her children.

RANKINGS:

Most likely to misplace her phone ★★★★☆

Skydiving enthusiast ★☆☆☆☆

Empathetic ★★★★★

WHAT’S YOUR WHY? Drew first realized that he wanted to be an Occupational Therapist when he got his first job at a summer camp for people with special needs. He quickly fell in love with helping children learn how to play in different and exciting ways. To this day, there is no better feeling for him than making a child smile and laugh.

FUN FACT: Drew did his Doctoral Capstone in Park City, Utah where he created an adaptive camping program and aided instructors in other programs including adaptive skiing, adaptive rock climbing, and adaptive mountain biking. 

IN YOUR FREE TIME: Drew has a lot of hobbies. If he's not at work, you might find him training for a marathon, hiking, reading, writing, or climbing. 

RANKINGS:

Occupational Therapy ★★★★★

Organizational skills ★☆☆☆☆

Fun ★★★★★

WHAT’S YOUR WHY? Kellie always knew she wanted to pursue a career that involved helping others. Growing up, she worked a lot with kids during summer camps and babysitting, which only strengthened her desire to work with the pediatric population. Once she started working with children and young adults with special needs, she knew she wanted to become a speech language pathologist so she could help others find their voice and reach their fullest potential.

FUN FACT: Kellie loves to travel. She has been to Ireland, Italy, England, Whales, Mexico, US Virgin Islands, and several states throughout the US. A few places she wishes to visit someday include Hawaii, California, Australia, and Greece.

IN YOUR FREE TIME: In her free time, Kellie enjoys spending time with her husband and children, family, and friends. Some of her favorite things to do include playing with her dog, spoiling her nieces and nephews, reading, trying new coffee shops, and traveling.

RANKINGS:

Speech Therapy ★★★★★

Liking Winter ★☆☆☆☆

Drinking Coffee ★★★★★

WHAT’S YOUR WHY? It all began during a viewing of Signing in the Rain - the movie with Debbie Reynolds. Silent movies are suddenly planned to be talkies, and a diction coach is hired to help transform the leading lady’s nasal Jersey accent into a refined timbre for the film. Now, that’s comedy! But Lauren took it seriously. “Why can’t I do that? Why can’t I help people learn to speak the way they want to speak?” Fast forward 20 years, and here Lauren is with that same desire - to help others find their voice. A person’s voice is a deep part of who she is; the expression of herself to the world around her. Whether by vocal instruction, voice therapy, or speech-language therapy - it is Lauren’s goal to help others find and love their voice - and grow to share it with their world.

FUN FACT: Lauren has a whole other resume built for her semi-professional career in musical theatre! You might have seen her on stage locally at The Scottish Rite Theatre, Corn Stock Theatre, Peoria Players, or Eastlight. Some of her favorite roles include Dorothy (The Wizard of Oz), Rosamund (The Robber Bridegroom), Jovie (Elf), Amber Von Tussle (Hairspray), and Sharpay Evans (High School Musical 2)!

IN YOUR FREE TIME: If Lauren’s not in a therapy session, chances are good that you’ll find her at a local coffee shop journaling. If not there, she’s probably visiting one of her eleven nieces and nephews, decorating her 1930s home, or thrifting!

RANKINGS:

Making lattes ★★★★☆

Sending birthday cards on time ★☆☆☆☆

Speech Therapy ★★★★★

WHAT’S YOUR WHY? Being part of creating an accepting and encouraging environment was a big part of what Abi loved about her mentoring experience, and she hopes to carry these values into any space possible! Abi has an affinity for working with both extremes of the age spectrum, having helped her mom with her first grade classroom and volunteering at the assisted living complex where her dad worked while growing up. She hopes to pursue more education, but is still getting her plans figured out!

FUN FACT: Abi’s first job was a self-owned lawn mowing business, operated with the help of her dad. She started at age 10, and continued until she was a junior in high school, with about 4 or more yards to care for each year. During that time, she saved up enough money to buy a dog. She is also a Detriot Lions fan!

IN YOUR FREE TIME: Abi enjoys spending time with her friends and family outside of work, doing various activities including playing card games, kayaking, doing crafts, watching a show/movie, making (or finding) a tasty snack, and planning her next adventure!

RANKINGS:

Optimism/positivity ★★★★★

Exercising ★★☆☆☆

Good movie recommendations ★★★★☆

Brooke Berk

POSITION: Office Assistant

SPECIALTIES: Customer Service, Organization, Empathy

EDUCATION & TRAINING: 7+ years of clinical experience with neurodivergent children and has her Associates of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Education

WHAT’S YOUR WHY? Brooke found her passion in supporting children and families in a clinical setting. She enjoys building relationships with people in hopes that she can help make a positive impact on their lives.

FUN FACT: Brooke has a twin sister. She also lived in Las Vegas for 10 years.

IN YOUR FREE TIME: Brooke enjoys being with her family, decorating her house, walking her dog, and exercising

RANKINGS:

Helping others ★★★★★

Being productive ★★★★★

Being somewhere on time ★★☆☆☆

WHAT’S YOUR WHY? Angie has always been, at heart, a teacher.  She spent several years teaching both remedial and regular education in Arizona before emigrating to the UK.  In the UK Angie found her way back into teaching by opening her own fabric retail business and teaching sewing classes.  Angie is happiest when she can be of service to others...with a smile!

FUN FACT: Angie is the youngest child of 7 and proud Aunt to 18 nieces and nephews and Great Aunt to 20, and Great Great Aunt to one and counting.  She spent half her life living in England. She has just returned to her home area in the states this year.

IN YOUR FREE TIME: At the top of Angie's list is spending time with family and friends.  She also loves creating and crafting with textiles; embroidery, quilting and sewing.  Currently she's rebuilding a floor loom that was gifted to her and is excited to take on this new rug making challenge.

RANKINGS:

Organization ★★★★★

Exercising ★☆☆☆☆

Cheerfulness ★★★★★

CONTACT: Contact Angie directly at aanderson@WaytoGrowPediatrics.com.

WHAT’S YOUR WHY? As a young woman adventuring into adulthood, Kianna is looking for something family oriented ,where she can pursue her interest in becoming a medical coding educator in the future! Kianna has always been about family and keeping everyone together! She grew up taking care of some of her younger cousins , she also has a few nieces and even a nephew on the way! She enjoys meeting new people and creating relationships with everyone she meets! She feels Way To Grow will be a great opportunity to build and create the pathway into her new career and education.

FUN FACT: Kianna has always been a child at heart and enjoys many activities that a child would enjoy, such as board games or video games , coloring and painting or something as simple as watching some of her favorite cartoons!

IN YOUR FREE TIME: When Kianna isn't glued to the computer screen ,you can find her baking a delicious treat for the week , taking walks or going to the gym. She also enjoys listening to podcasts and journaling while drinking tea to relax. Something she enjoys most of all is spending lots of time with her family , having family dinners and family game nights. If you catch her on the right night you might catch her in the isles of target!

RANKINGS:

Finding Things ★★★★★

Keeping Gas in the Car ★☆☆☆☆

Impulsive Shopping ★★★★★

CONTACT: Contact Kianna directly at klovingood@waytogrowpediatrics.com.

WHAT’S YOUR WHY? Her amazing daughter Isla. After learning of her neurodivergence and letting the diagnosis sink in, she has embraced this culture and advocates for her fiercely as well as for others on the same journey.

FUN FACT: Foodie. Loves to discover the hidden gems wherever she travels. She has a zest for life and doesn’t know a stranger, especially when surrounded with sumptuous cuisine and bold red wine.

IN YOUR FREE TIME: Avid book lover, specifically non fiction. Entertaining friends with good food and drinks. Finding new and creative ways to teach her daughter as they explore the unschool curriculum.

RANKINGS:

Organizing ★★★★★

Baking ★★☆☆☆

PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) Pro ★★★★★

CONTACT: Contact Brie directly at bjacob@waytogrowpediatrics.com.

WHAT’S YOUR WHY? Jasmine knows how well therapy works for children and loves to advocate for it; what truly got her attention is how Way to Grow meets kiddos on their level in an environment geared specifically for the kids and their individual needs but in an upbeat and super fun way. 

FUN FACT: Jasmine is a word nerd! She is also a Swiftie... between the two she has a great time looking up and learning the words throughout her songs; Taylor is a literary genius and has a way with words!

IN YOUR FREE TIME: Jasmine loves a good comedy show, she’s learned to crochet via YouTube, enjoys bedazzling items, and loves reading and drinking coffee! 

RANKINGS:

Embarrassing herself! ;) ★★★★☆

Crafting ★★☆☆☆

Medical Billing ★★★★★

WHAT’S YOUR WHY? Kim’s heart has always been rooted in helping others. After experiencing firsthand the challenges and joys of parenting, she felt called to give back to her community in a meaningful way. She is passionate about supporting parents and caregivers through the early years, making sure they feel seen, empowered, and supported. Advocacy for families, especially around infant feeding and early development, is at the core of her work.

FUN FACT: Kim runs a family food business where she serves up apple cider slushies, mini donuts, sundaes, and other sweet treats at local events.

IN YOUR FREE TIME: When she’s not working, you’ll often find Kim with her husband and three kids (who keep her on her toes!), enjoying boating, hiking, and swimming. She also loves connecting with people, whether through food, stories, or shared experiences.     

RANKINGS:

Family support ★★★★★

Bedtime negotiations ★★★★☆

Free time availability ★☆☆☆☆

WHAT’S YOUR WHY? Breeley is passionate about working with children and helping them grow, learn, and reach their full potential. Through her experiences babysitting and working with children, including a child with Autism, she developed a strong interest in supporting individuals with disabilities and communication disorders. Seeing a child achieve a goal, gain confidence, and continue to succeed is one of the most rewarding parts of working with children for her. These experiences inspired her to pursue a career in Speech-Language Pathology, where she hopes to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and their families.

FUN FACT: Breeley grew up dancing and continued her passion for dance as a member of the Bradley Bravettes Dance Team. She loves staying active, performing, and being part of a team while creating lasting memories and friendships along the way.

IN YOUR FREE TIME: Breeley loves to travel and experience new places, people, and opportunities. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, often grabbing dinner in the Peoria Heights area; her favorite spot being Publik House. In her free time, you will most likely find her working out, going for walks outdoors, staying active, or doing a little more shopping than she’d like to admit!

RANKINGS:

Chit chat ★★★★★

Saying “no” to dessert ★☆☆☆☆

Decision making at a restaurant ★★☆☆☆

WHAT’S YOUR WHY? Laurel is passionate about helping others. Through her experience in babysitting and customer service roles, she loves to see others reach their full potential. She hopes to pursue her COTA next fall to continue making an impact.

FUN FACT: Laurel ran cross country and track from middle school throgh college. She has ran a half marathon and a full marathon.

IN YOUR FREE TIME: Laurel enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and fiancé outside of work. She loves to be outside and stay active. Her favorite activities include running, going for walks, playing pickleball or spike ball, going to local coffee shops, and exploring new places.

RANKINGS:

Keeping plants alive ★★★★☆

Hydration ★★★★★

Deciding where to eat ★☆☆☆☆