About Academy for Young Minds

Helena Han, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA, SBL
Head of School, Academy for Young Minds

Dr. Han is an experienced Head of School and Behavior Analyst with a demonstrated history of working in the education, behavior, and mental health care fields. She is skilled in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), curriculum development, and training. Prior to coming to TheraCare, she has worked as a behavior analyst and a special educator for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and other developmental delays at a variety of settings including Early Intervention (EI) home and center-based services, special and inclusion classes in NYS and NJ public schools. Most recently, she worked as a school leader at a NYS approved non-public school. The highlights of her leadership include data driven student improvement initiatives, ongoing teacher and parent education and training in ABA, and the successful expansion of the 5-12 school-age program to include students up to the age of 21. Dr. Han is a strong education professional with a Ph.D and M.Phil in Behavior Analysis and Behavioral Disorders with a specialization in ABA from Columbia University, Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, M.A. in Curriculum and Teaching with a specialization in Teaching as ABA from Columbia University, Teachers College, an Advanced Certificate in NYS School Building Leadership (SBL), Teaching Certifications in NYS Special and General Education, a Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) in NYS, and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral (BCBA-D). Dr. Han is a proud auntie of three nephews and two nieces who have given her absolute happiest moments in her life and continuously inspired her to become a better educator and a role model. She enjoys cooking, baking, listening to live music, aqua cycling, riding a Peloton bike, and any other physical activities that can help her stay active and fit. She is passionate about inspiring and helping other educators as well as teaching children to become better learners.

Nancy Tritsch, MS Ed, EdM, SAS
Director of Educational Services, Academy for Young Minds

Ms. Tritsch has been an early childhood educator for over 25 years. She has two master’s degrees from the Bank Street College of Education in Infant and Parent Development and in Educational Leadership. She holds NYS certifications in Special and General Education, and School Administration and Supervision. Ms. Tritsch began her career as a teacher at the Bank Street College of Education Family Center. She was also the Educational Coordinator for the Visiting Nurse Service’s Early Head Start program in Far Rockaway working with teen parents. During this time, she earned an International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA) certification as a labor and delivery doula. She has been with TheraCare for the last twenty years. Ms. Tritsch’s primary role has been supervising day-to-day clinical and educational operations of TheraCare’s Special Education Itinerant Service (SEIS) and 4410/approved Preschool Special Education programs. Her responsibilities include curriculum development, student assessment, professional development, and collaboration with school district leaders. She is passionate about enhancing teacher development through reflective supervision, formal observations and trainings. As the parent of both a neuro-typical teenager and an adult with autism, Ms. Tritsch is committed to promoting parent engagement and believes that learning communities are enriched when families are involved. When not working, Ms. Tritsch enjoys hiking, biking, kayaking – just about any kind of movement that takes place in nature. Whenever possible, she loves to bring movement and nature into the classroom.