Ellen Criswell (Owner/Director/Instructor) Full Time
Ellen started Rob's Place alongside her husband, Lee. She worked as a nurse in geriatric care for several years. She then was a stay at home Mom her two daughters until she decided to try to get a nursing job in the school system. At the time there only jobs available were paraprofessionals & that led her to work as a para in Access (Special Education) at Mary Persons High School for nine years. Ellen has had training dealing with Autism, Down Syndrome, seizures disorders, along with many other disabilities and behavior issues. Ellen says that she believes that serving people with IDD is her true calling and she can't believe that she gets to do this everyday. She says, "They truly bring so much sunshine to my life!"
Alayna Criswell (Instructor/Office Manager) Full Time
Alayna is 21 years old and is Ellen's oldest daughter. She attends Gordon State College online & is majoring in Human Services. She's been helping out at Rob's Place since her parents opened it in 2020, but officially became a full time worker in April of 2021. Alayna is also a dance teacher at Simply Dance in the evenings 3 days a week specializing in dance with ages 3-9. She says, "I love working at Rob's because I have created friendships with the people here and they're seriously the best. I can't wait to be apart of this business as it continues to grow!"
Emilee Criswell (Support Staff) Part Time
Emilee is Ellen's youngest daughter & she's 18 years old. Emilee is a Senior at Mary Persons High School & she dances at Simply Dance 2 days a week, taking ballet, jazz, tap, pointe & lyrical. She helps a lot here at Rob's Place in the afternoons after she gets done with school. She's created many friendships with the people here & looks forward to spending her afternoons with us!