Maia Keller is a Clinical Research Specialist at the Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development. Her last position she was Special Education Teacher Assistant at Lincoln Heights Elementary School in Fuquay Varina, and worked with students in 3rd-5th grade. Her favorite parts of her job were laughing and having fun with her students and coworkers, watching her students grow and meet goals, and attending the Special Olympics. Before becoming a TA in 2013, she spent a year and a half living and working with individuals with I/DD at the L’Arche Boston North community in Massachusetts. Maia graduated from Duke University in 2010 with a B.A. in Sociology and Psychology and graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2018 with a M.S. in Aeronautics. Maia enjoys reading, running, hiking, watching movies and sports, and baking. 

Laura Alden is a Wake County art teacher at Heritage High School in Wake Forest. Previously she taught 9^th – 12^th grade students enrolled in the Occupational Course of Study (OCS) program. Laura has been teaching with WCPSS since 2008, and began her teaching career in New York in 1995. Laura and her husband Ken have two daughters, Sarah and Erin.  Laura holds a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts Education from Hofstra University, a Master’s in Special Education from New York University and a Professional Diploma in both School and District Administration from Queens College, City University of NY, and one day hopes to finish her Doctorate in School/District Administration & Educational Leadership.  Working with children with special needs became a passion when Sarah was formally diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at approximately a year old.  Upon relocating to North Carolina, Laura found her way to The Arc of Wake County by serving on their Board of Directors for two years.  Laura is happy to continue her advocacy work with Triangle Disability & Autism Services. Laura enjoys volunteering with her girls’ schools, Sarah’s dance class, Erin’s seasonal sports teams, taking their rescue puppy on long walks, reading historical fiction, and taking road trips with Ken, the girls, and dog in the family minivan.