The Halton School

Dear Friends and Families,

It is my honor to welcome you to the Halton School. You will find the Halton School is a special place that makes you feel right at home. Our mission is to provide students with Autism, Asperger’s, and other learning differences with an individualized holistic education that inspires each child to achieve their highest potential.

The Halton School provides a warm, nurturing environment specifically
tailored to the unique learning and communication styles of our students.
Students at Halton feel safe and accepted because they are supported by a
community of educators who see the value in each child. Our small classes are designed to meet the individual needs of each student. Utilizing research-based curriculum and methodology, our highly qualified teachers provide rigorous academic instruction in a setting that encourages curiosity, creativity and personal growth.

Our community of expert educators are also passionate about the social and emotional success of all of the students at Halton. They are strong advocates; encouraging students to pursue their interests, while giving them the tools they need to achieve success.

It has been our experience that most parents and teachers are painfully aware when a student is not thriving in an academic setting. I am very interested in sharing with you how the Halton School can support your child. I look forward to hearing from you.

Warmest Regards,

Heidi Bertino-Daum
Head of School

Heidi Bertino-Daum Head of School
Heidi comes to The Halton School most recently from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, where she served as a Program Specialist for Autism. She’s also worked as an Exceptional Children Specialist for Iredell Statesville Schools and was an Adjunct Instructor at Lewis University and Northern Illinois University. She holds MEd and B.S. degrees in Special Education and a B.A degree in Anthropology, all from Penn State University.

Taylor Risner Teacher
Taylor received her Bachelor’s degree in PK-12 Special Education from Bluffton University. She is currently completing her M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Bluffton University and anticipates graduating in May 2022. Taylor is also certified in Orton-Gillingham. Taylor previously worked for five years as a lead teacher in a K-4 special education classroom in Ohio. She was inspired to become a special education teacher by her two siblings who have intellectual disabilities. In supporting her siblings, she realized she has a passion for supporting students with learning differences through education and advocacy.

Magdalena Sztabowski Teacher
Magdalena graduated from Warsaw University, Poland with an Associate’s degree in Psychology and Public Health. After moving to the U.S., she enrolled at Hunter College in N.Y. and began working towards a degree in Child Psychology. Magdalena received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology/ Child Psychology from UNC Charlotte in 2009. She has many years of teaching experience in Early Education and Special Education, and previously taught at La Petite Academy, Little Scholars Academy, and Langtree Charter Academy. In 2018 she was awarded a Graduate Certificate in Special Education and in 2020 she received her Master’s degree in Special Education. Magdalena has a N.C. Early Educator Certification- Level 8 Lead Teacher on Early Care and Education Professional Scale and Initial License in the area of Exceptional Children: Adapted Curriculum (K-12).

Elizabeth Lally Teacher
Elizabeth graduated with a B.A. in History and an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from George Mason University. Elizabeth previously worked as a sixth and seventh grade social studies teacher at a small private school in Virginia. There, she headed the middle school’s social studies department. Elizabeth then moved to Loudoun County Public schools where she was a general classroom teacher for kindergarten, second and fifth grades. She became certified to teach English Language Learners and helped implement a full day kindergarten program for entering students. She also worked closely with administration and assessed LEP students K-8 for ESOL program eligibility for the county and monitored progress to evaluate program efficacy. When Elizabeth moved to North Carolina, she accepted a position in a self-contained EC classroom at Langtree Charter. Elizabeth has completed numerous professional development programs such as SIOP, Wilson Language Training, Making Math Accessible, and Pathways to Learning.