About Us

Distinct Abilities Academic Program (DAAP) has two locations in the greater Houston area - Clear Lake and Alvin. We are a school where children of all abilities six weeks through 12 years, can build a solid foundation in which they can explore and discover their own "distinct ability" through working together.

Distinct Abilities provides each child with an individualized program in the language, mathematics, science and educational curriculum in the classroom while encouraging teamwork and developing socialization and self-led direction. This environment provides each child the opportunity to explore his/her surroundings and share in the joy of mentoring children while still learning from others. All this is offered in full inclusion classrooms.

Our classroom offers children exposure to the five domains; Physical, Social, Cognitive, Communicative, and Adaptive in an advanced academic setting allowing children to explore these areas at a pace conducive to their personal growth. All children learn differently.

Our curriculum has specific units designed to target these learning differences so children may achieve a high level of understanding of their environment.

This enables them to establish self-direction while grasping academic concepts. Our classrooms offer the same academic opportunities to children with Down syndrome, Autism, and other developmental delays which ultimately lead to success in the social world.​

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The individualized attention to each child's specific needs in this program is vital to their success. The goal for DAAP is to offer a personal approach with each family, so every child’s specific needs can be met. Our staff will love your children and create a lasting bond with your family. We, as early child educators, in a partnership with parents, will continue to explore new ways we can help all children.

Core Faculty/Administrators

Valerie Connatser

Founder

I have been in the child care industry for over 33 years. Throughout this time, I discovered I felt drawn to the children who seemed to have a more difficult time with self control and those who needed that extra care to get through their day successfully. Over the years, I also realized that many daycares/private schools, were hesitant to accept these children and give them the guidance they needed on a daily basis while being integrated in a classroom with everyone else in the same classroom.. This is why Distinct Abilities was created.

With the collaboration of a great team consisting of Therapists, Montessori certified teachers, Child Care Directors, and Special Education teachers, Distinct Abilities has successfully created a full inclusion program that emphasizes academics being taught in a non-traditional environment, focusing on each child as an individual while working in a group setting. This setting is a win/win scenario for all children. Children with special needs have a variety of students to emulate and non-special needs children have the opportunity to mentor peers while learning patience for children that may need to learn in a different fashion than they learn.

Since being established in 2012, my vision of providing superior care with strong academics for ALL children, in the same classroom setting, has come to fruition in a beautiful manner. At the end of the day, children are children and they enjoy learning and discovering the world together through exploration and social interaction. I am proud to be a part of each child's journey in finding their own "distinct ability".

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Ernestine Rodriguez

Executive Director/Curriculum Coordinator

Ms. Ernestine became a part of the Distinct Abilities family in 2013. As a certified Montessori Teacher of 10 years, she became the PreK Lead Teacher. She currently hold the position of Executive Director and Curriculum Coordinator for both locations. She enjoys training staff to become the best teacher they can be inside their classroom. Working with the children and seeing the wonderment in their eyes when they discover something new is something she looks forward to on a daily basis. She is happily married for 15 years and has a 13-year-old son, Felipe, diagnosed with ASD. “My personal experiences with my son have made me a strong advocate for children with special needs.” In her spare time, she helps coordinate the OEC and Life Teen programs for students K- 12th grade at her parish. She is a firm believer that we can make a difference, one child at a time.

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Sara Cazenave

Occupational Therapy

Sara is a licensed occupational therapist (OTR) with 9 years of experience treating children and adults with a variety of neuromuscular, developmental, orthopedic, and cognitive conditions. She holds a Master of Occupational Therapy degree from LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans and a Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology from Louisiana State University. Sara has completed continued education training in sensory integration, Handwriting Without Tears Pre-K & elementary curriculum, and early intervention strategies.

As an occupational therapist, she aims to help children gain independence in self-care, play, and academic skills through individualized interventions and accommodations. Sara loves to help children and their families meet their goals and thrive in a natural setting like school or home, and she is proud to be a part of the unique collaborative team at Distinct Abilities.

Sara also serves as a Pre-K faith formation catechist at her church parish and a Cub Scouts den leader. She enjoys baking, gardening, and camping with her husband and 3 young sons.

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Arhely Quiroga

Occupational Therapist

  • Arhely holds an Associate Degree in Applied Science and Occupational Therapy from San Jacinto College South as she continues to further her career, passion, and learning in Occupational Therapy. She has received credentials as an Auditory Intervention Provider with Advanced Brain Technologies for The Listening Program and In Time. Her experiences include skilled intervention in sensory processing, autism, development delays, feeding disorders, and behavioral modification. She is inspired every day through personal experience with her older sister with Down syndrome witnessing how Occupational Therapy can assist children with special needs in achieving independence, increase meaning, and function in everyday life. Outside of work, Arhely enjoys spending time with her family, traveling (especially to Disney World with her sister), and doing outdoor activities.

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Britteny Parshall

Therapy Dog Handler

Ms. Britteny has been working with children for over 13 years and has been with Distinct Abilities for 8 of those years. She is a certified Director and has worn many hats at DAAP. When the opportunity came about to work with DAAP's Therapy Dogs, blending the joy of working with children and her love of dogs together, Ms. Britteny found accepting the position of Therapy Dog Handler an easy choice. She loves watching the joyful interaction between the children and our therapy dogs, Mykonos and Crete, while they work together in various ways. In addition to traveling with the dogs to different classes to visit with the children, Ms. Britteny incorporates them into therapy sessions with our therapists to assist with working alongside children with special needs. In her spare time she enjoys being outdoors with her daughter Breelynn and her Siberian Husky, Bonnie.

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Ashley Brumlow

Alvin Director

Ms. Ashley is the Director of Distinct Abilities in Alvin. She has worked in childcare for over 10 years and has experienced all aspects of child care. Ashley is dedicated to working with children and staff to be a part of what they accomplish from the moment they join DAAP. Her position as Director gives her the opportunity to give guidance while actively being involved with all age groups and their daily activities. She enjoys working at DAAP and feels as though it is like having a second home that is filled with joy, love and laughter. She is proud to be making a difference in the lives of our families. Outside of working at the school, Ashley enjoys making crafts and attending craft shows, and spending time with her nieces.

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Kathy Warner

Alvin Manager

Kathy has worked with children for over 30 years. She has always had a special place in her heart for children. Her position at DAAP allows her to oversee and be a part of children's daily lives. Parents need to feel good about who is caring for their children, and through daily communication, Kathy enjoys making certain that all parents know that their children are being cared for in a loving, caring and capable environment. The children love to stop in her office to say goodbye before they leave for the day. She always has a hug and a smile for them and the response she gets warms her heart. On her own time, Kathy likes to travel.

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Wendy Cunningham

Director/ Elementary Curriculum Coordinator

Born with a determination to lead, Wendy Cunningham has set and achieved goals throughout her life. She rose to graduate in the top 10 of her High School Class and immediately began her college studies. She has completed her Master's Degree in Education, and is currently the Elementary Curriculum Coordinator over the private elementary at both the Clear Lake and Alvin locations. Wendy has a genuine desire to support children, both with and without developmental delays, academically, socially, and emotionally. She has contributed an extraordinary amount of time and knowledge to the development of, and continuation of, DAAP's Private Elementary and After School programs. Her love of children and her desire to teach them to lead, has led her to develop a mentorship program entitled Young Ladies with Purpose. This program has enabled her to become a Presentation Speaker with the YWCA. Outside of work, Wendy enjoys working with these young ladies, reading, and getting staff together to participate in a friendly game of kickball.

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Andrea Brown

Assistant Director
  • Andrea Brown has been working with children for 17 years, and has been part of DAAP for going on two years. She is happily married of 23 years and has 3 grown children of her own. Andrea previously worked at the Y.M.C.A for many years as a lead two year old teacher and Assistant Director while earning a host of awards and certificates. She decided to enhance her child care experience by joining DAAP and working with children with special needs. Andrea has always had a passion for working with children and is thrilled to see how she has grown personally and professionally while impacting their everyday lives. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, shopping and watching lifetime movies. She's become a valued part of the DAAP team!
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Norma Martinez

Office/Management Support

Ms. Norma's responsibilities at DAAP are managing the very busy behind the scenes office and helping the directors wherever needed. She has 28 years experience within the classroom and 11 years working in management. She enjoys working with children because she believes that children learn very important basics and develop the beginning of many lifelong components at a very young age. She also knows that teachers have a very important role in this development and understands that teachers have a huge impact on their young minds. She feels privileged to be a part of this process. Norma is a very much appreciated part of keeping the many things that are necessary to run successful schools in an organized fashion. In her spare time, she is spending time with her family here and in Las Cruces, New Mexico. She also enjoys watching her daughter perform in the high school marching band.

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Carol Register

Bookkeeper

Ms. Carol Register is the bookkeeper for Distinct Abilities. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Finance and has worked in the accounting and bookkeeping field over a span of 20 years. During her bookkeeping career, she has enjoyed working in various industries, but she believe working in the childcare industry, more specifically, at Distinct Abilities, has been by far her favorite. She has come to feel that it is a privilege to know every day when she start up her computer to “crunch numbers,” she is supporting a great leadership and dedicated staff who are educating and nurturing precious children. Outside of her work, she loves spending time with her children, grandchildren and being involved with her church. She is also very creative and enjoys gardening, painting and writing.

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Mykonos

Therapy Dog

Mykonos, is a Euro Blue Great Dane, who was born on September 16, 2019. He has completed the training to become a therapy dog and is working on getting his Canine Good Citizen Certification. He is trained to help provide comfort, affection, and love to all children. He works with children helping with Physical and Occupational Therapies. He visits both locations on a regular basis.

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Crete

Crete, is a Euro Harlequin Great Dane, that was born on August 9, 2021. He is currently training to become a therapy dog for DAAP as well. His trainings consist of providing affection, comfort, and love to all children. Crete attends and enjoys visiting both locations.

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Milos

Therapy Dog

Our newest addition to our staff is Milos. He was born on April 15, 2022. He is a Euro Blue Mantle Great Dane puppy who is undergoing training to become a therapy dog for DAAP. He will be trained to provide affection, comfort and love to all of the children. As he gets older, if he is eligible, he will also be trained to be an Animal Assisted Therapy Dog, helping children in Physical and Occupational Therapies. He will regularly visit both locations.

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Job Opportunities

DAAP is growing in both Clear Lake and Alvin. We are constantly recruiting qualified candidates to take the lead in educating children. We hope you will inquire about our employment opportunities and look forward to having you become a member of our DAAP family!