Sarah Dooley Center Faculty

Linda O'Day
Susan Pokorski

Faculty Any school is only as good as the people who work there, who plan the most effective programs and pass knowledge on to our children. The Sarah Dooley Center for Autism is fortunate to have a highly trained, compassionate staff, many of whom have received extensive training in Applied Behavior Analysis. We would love for you to visit our Center and meet them in person.

Geoffrey Tubbs has been an educator for 12 years, changing careers from business when his daughter was diagnosed with a severe disability. Geoff started as a teacher's aide at Pinchbeck Elementary in Henrico County in 1996. He then worked at the Educational Development Center at Hallmark WestEnd Behavioral Healthcare Center for a year and then went to work for Grafton School in Midlothian from 1998 until 2004. At Grafton, Geoff helped develop a community transition program for older students with MR and autism. These students participated in the community frequently, making purchases, working on social skills and some even having bank accounts and holding jobs at various establishments, such as Chesterfield Towne Center, Chesterfield Dodge, and the YMCA. In 2004, Geoff moved to Elk Hill Farm, where he was the Educational Director for their residential school in Goochland. In 2007, Geoff came to St. Joseph’s Villa, so he could continue to work with the group of students he most adores, at the Sarah Dooley Center for Autism. Geoff holds a Master’s in Education degree from Virginia Commonwealth University with a teaching license to work with both ED and MR students. Geoff has worked with students classified as both regular education students and special education students. As Geoff puts it, "My passion is focusing on transition for ALL students and what they need to be successful after school, but I have a special place in my heart for those with severe disabilities, for obvious reasons." Geoff also enjoys music and sports. *Back to top*

Susan Pokorski is Senior Director of St. Joseph's Villa's Children’s Educational Services. Susan has been at St. Joseph’s Villa since 2001, first serving as a Curriculum Specialist and then as Head of the Dooley School and Director of Academic Services. At St. Joseph’s Villa, Susan has designed and implemented programs to help students with special needs achieve academic success. She has developed course curricula, trained staff in effective educational methods and provided overall leadership of academies and programs. Susan holds a Bachelor or Arts degree from the University of Illinois and a Master’s degree in Education Administration with Principal Certification from the University of Massachusetts-Lowell. Prior to joining St. Joseph’s Villa, Susan had a long career in education. She began her professional career as a school teacher and then worked for Rural Opportunities Inc. to develop and implement a workforce literacy program for migrant workers. She worked as a trainer and provider of technical assistance for the AmeriCorps and Learn and Serve programs within the Connecticut Department of Higher Education. Immediately prior to joining St. Joseph’s Villa, Susan worked as a trainer and technical support staff for EduTest.com, a software company that provides schools with online assessments of students’ strengths and weaknesses. *Back to top*

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St. Joseph's Villa • 8000 Brook Road • Richmond, Virginia 23227 • t 804.553.3200 • f 804.553.3259