Matt Rivers – Program Director
Matt Rivers has worked in the field of special education for 25 years. He has held several special education positions, including teacher, coordinator and director of special education at alternative schools throughout Pennsylvania. He currently works at HRS of Philadelphia where he has served as program director since January 2020. Matt has worked at HRS of Philadelphia since it opened its doors in Fall of 2014. Matt holds a Master’s in Education with a Special Education certification from Arcadia University. He is also an alumnus of the University of Oregon, with a bachelor’s degree in Geography.
Nicole Pruett – Director of Special Education
Nicole Pruett has served as the Special Education Director at HRS of Philadelphia since January of 2020, prior to this role Mrs. Pruett served as our Behavior Specialist starting in 2015. She received her Bachelor’s in Psychology (2006) and Bachelor’s in Teacher Education, Secondary Education, Social Studies Concentration from Richard Stockton College of NJ in 2008. Followed by a graduate certificate in Special Education from Rowan University in 2012. She earned a dual Master’s in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Capella University in 2013. She continued her education toward certification as a Behavioral Analyst by completing a graduate Certificate program in Applied Behavior Analysis with Florida Institute of Technology completed in 2015. During this time of academic pursuit Mrs. Pruett was an in-home ABA therapist and taught at Washington Township High School, Collingwood and regularly substituted. She also completed internships in a partial hospitalization program for children and adolescents as well as Linden’s intensive care residential unit for children and adolescents with severe intellectual and behavioral disorders. Prior to starting with High Road School of Philadelphia she was a regularly practicing Outpatient, In-Home and School Therapist utilizing PCIT, Parent Child Interaction Therapy, CBT, Behavioral and other therapeutic interventions with Robin’s Nest. Mrs. Pruett’s educational philosophy is, “As an educator I make every effort to invest in myself and my education. I am currently in the process of continuing my education toward a PhD in General Psychology. I believe that if educators take their positions as models for their students with the highest priority and continue their own learning that their students will gain an understanding of the importance of education and lifelong learning.”
“Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.” ~Socrates
Wayne Gilliam – Director of OperationsÂ
Mr. Gilliam began his career educating youth in the Summer of 2014 and has been with SESI since the fall of 2017, serving as a Teacher, Team Leader, and Director of Operations. Mr. Gilliam earned his bachelor’s degree in Sports Management while playing football at Widener University. In the Spring of 2021, He earned his master’s degree in Educational Administration from Grand Canyon University and looks forward to applying newly learned knowledge to improve the academic community he serves.
