Who We Are |
Cobblestones is facilitated by a group of individuals who come from a wide-range of professional backgrounds. At our core, we are a team of developmental and educational specialists (who are also mothers).
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Nicole Croak, OTR/L, CEIS, Owner and Occupational Therapist, Post Partum Doula (and mother of four)

Nicole received her Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of New Hampshire. Following graduation, she worked for 6 years in Early Intervention. She then had the opportunity to work in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital where she co-developed the R.E.A.C.H. Program with a Neonatologist. This program allowed her to do what she loved which is working with families and their children from birth to age three.
Nicole is a Certified Early Intervention Specialist and She enjoys helping families understand more about sensory development, feeding, perceptual-fine motor, and overall motor development.
Nicole is a Certified Early Intervention Specialist and She enjoys helping families understand more about sensory development, feeding, perceptual-fine motor, and overall motor development.
Lisa Samios, MS, CCC-SLP, CEIS, Speech-Language Pathologist (and mother of four)

Lisa received her Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Boston University. She worked at the R.E.A.C.H. Program for 6 years providing developmental screenings, consults, and community playgroups. Prior to the R.E.A.C.H. Program, Lisa has worked with young children and their families for over 15 years as a speech therapist in a variety of settings, including Early Intervention and outpatient clinics.
Prior to becoming a speech therapist, Lisa was a certified lead teacher in a childcare program. She is also a Certified Early Intervention Specialist. Having been a clinician at the R.E.A.C.H. Program for six years, Lisa is excited to continue the rewarding work with the families and children at Cobblestones LLC
Prior to becoming a speech therapist, Lisa was a certified lead teacher in a childcare program. She is also a Certified Early Intervention Specialist. Having been a clinician at the R.E.A.C.H. Program for six years, Lisa is excited to continue the rewarding work with the families and children at Cobblestones LLC
Lori Parent, M.Ed, CEIS, CIMI, Developmental Educator (and mother of two)

Lori received her Master’s Degree in Early Intervention, Birth to Three from Wheelock College in Boston. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Merrimack College. Prior to Cobblestones LLC, she worked with families and children, birth to three, for 6 years at the R.E.A.C.H. Program at St. Elizabeth's Hospital providing developmental screenings, consults and community playgroups. Prior to the R.E.A.C.H. Program, Lori worked in the field of Early Intervention for over 10 years as a Developmental Educator and Coordinator providing home visits, childcare consults, trainings, workshops, and community playgroups.
Before working in Early Intervention, Lori worked as a certified lead teacher in a childcare program for several years. She also had experience working at Children’s Hospital with Child Life Specialists. She is a Certified Early Intervention Specialist, a Certified Infant Massage Instructor, and Certified Behavior Consultant and Family Coach in association with the Fitzgerald Institute. She has a passion for working with families and children and looks forward to the opportunity to continue this work at Cobblestones LLC.
Before working in Early Intervention, Lori worked as a certified lead teacher in a childcare program for several years. She also had experience working at Children’s Hospital with Child Life Specialists. She is a Certified Early Intervention Specialist, a Certified Infant Massage Instructor, and Certified Behavior Consultant and Family Coach in association with the Fitzgerald Institute. She has a passion for working with families and children and looks forward to the opportunity to continue this work at Cobblestones LLC.
Kim Bissias, Special Education Teacher, (mother of one)

Kim received her Master's Degree in Special Education from Cambridge College and currently holds her MA teaching license in Special Education (pre-k through 8). She worked for the public schools in an intensive needs sub-separate pre-k class for 3 years. She also did her student teaching in a moderate disabilities pre-k classroom.
Prior to that she worked in early intervention for 7 years as a developmental specialist. She was also a mentor to new staff and taught toddler groups while working in early intervention. She holds her CEIS (certified early intervention specialist). Kim has a wide range of experience from working with students with a range of disabilities, learning differences, developmental delays and challenging behaviors. After having her first child Kim left the public schools and joined the Cobblestones team where she is excited to work with school, students and families.
Prior to that she worked in early intervention for 7 years as a developmental specialist. She was also a mentor to new staff and taught toddler groups while working in early intervention. She holds her CEIS (certified early intervention specialist). Kim has a wide range of experience from working with students with a range of disabilities, learning differences, developmental delays and challenging behaviors. After having her first child Kim left the public schools and joined the Cobblestones team where she is excited to work with school, students and families.
Chris Arena, MS, CCC-SLP, Speech/Language Pathologist (mother of three)

Chris received her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Speech and Language Pathology from the University of Vermont. She worked as an SLP in the Vermont public schools and then spent a year on the faculty of the University of Vermont teaching graduate and undergraduate courses, conducting research in the area of stuttering and supervising graduate students in their clinical work. After moving back to Massachusetts, Chris worked in the area of Early Intervention for more than 15 years doing home visits and running parent and child language groups.
Chris is currently the Speech/Language Pathologist at the Carousel School in Waltham. She is very excited about joining the Cobblestones team to facilitate playgroups and offer Speech and Language consults.
Chris is currently the Speech/Language Pathologist at the Carousel School in Waltham. She is very excited about joining the Cobblestones team to facilitate playgroups and offer Speech and Language consults.
Katie Hawko, Special Education Teacher (mother of two)
Katie received a dual BA in Elementary Education and Human Development, as well as a Master's in Special Education from Boston College. She currently holds Massachusetts teaching licenses in both General Education and Special Education (pre-k through 8). Katie spent 10 years working in the public school system as a classroom teacher in integrated and inclusion models; working with students at a variety of levels and with diverse needs. In addition to her classroom position, Katie worked as a teacher mentor and a teacher support team leader, providing coaching and consultation to both new and experienced teachers. She also spent many years as a private tutor working with students and families in their homes. After having her first child, Katie left the public school system and is excited to be working with Cobblestones and to have the opportunity to coach and support students, educators and families.