MP Staff
September 17th, 2010 | 
MPDirector
The My Possibilities Staff is comprised of individuals with training and education in many different fields. The common denominator is the love our staff shares in educating and providing learning opportunities for our HIPsters throughout the day. Our staff play many roles throughout the day. They are educators, community partners, mentors, role models and friends. We encourage you to visit My Possibilities to enjoy a day in our program and understand the magic that happens here every single day.
Michael Thomas - Executive Director
Michael Thomas is a native Texan and a graduate of Southern Methodist University.
After graduation Michael worked for the Muscular Dystrophy Association in Corpus Christi, Texas as a Program Coordinator and was directly involved with over 1.5 Million dollars in fundraising in his time with the organization. He later relocated within the MDA to
Michael’s most recent work experience was for a non-profit organization called Opportunity Village, an organization dedicated to vocational training for adults with disabilities in the Southern Nevada area. He has spent the last two years working as a Special Events Manager and Program Development Manager for the organization and was in charge of one of the city’s largest fundraising events, the Las Vegas Great Santa Run. In addition, he helped develop the organization’s current Performing Arts Department. Now adults with cognitive disabilities will be able to receive vocational training in music, dance and theater as well as visual arts.
Michael has many plans to spread the My Possibilities mission throughout Plano and the entire Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex as he believes that “It is essential that people in our community know that our HIPsters are very capable of making a difference and they have every intention of doing so. The next step is just giving them the chance.”
Julie Diffenderffer - Lead Instructor
My name is Julie and I am excited to be a part of the My Possibilities team. I am originally from Michigan where I went to school at Grand Valley State University. I have a B.S. in Recreational Therapy. I moved to Texas in 1998 after spending several summers working at camps for individuals with special needs. I have spent the last 10 years working in various aspects of the non-profit industry and enjoy providing programs and services that help enhance an individual’s quality of life.
Scott Saucier - Instructor
I grew up in
Summer Gill - Instructor
Hello! My name is Summer Montrice Gill. I was born in Little Rock, Arkansas and have one brother. My biological parents still currently live in Little Rock. I was adopted at a young age by my aunt and uncle, Marilyn and Barry Davis. We moved to Plano, Texas in 1987 where I still reside. I am a graduate of Plano Senior High School, class of 1996 and a member of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Plano.
As a teenager, I was always interested in babysitting and started my own business while in high school. I have two semesters of college; however I chose to forego college due to my being diagnosed with severe dyslexia in my junior year of high school. So, I put all my God given knowledge into my nanny profession. I have since transitioned to the care of autistic and special needs children and adults, teaching living skills and social skills, which is a tremendous joy.
Reginald Spearman - Instructor
Reggie was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana and moved to Texas in 1983. Reggie's first experience with individuals with special needs was when a good friend was confined to a bubble due to an immune deficiency. Reggie has extensive experience working with adults with disabilities in a community and residential setting. From 1998-2006 Reggie was a foster parent to 3 adults with sever behavioral needs. During this time, he owned and ran a day program in Sherman, Texas. He also contracted with additional facilities in Dallas, Austin and Houston to assist with clients with behavioral needs.
Reggie began working at My Possibilities shortly after the facility opened in June of 2008, as our life skills/pre-vocational mentor and coach. Reggie is a valuable member of the My Possibilities team and his positive approach has provided guidance, mentorship, and leadership to our HIPsters.
Stephanie Murphy - Instructor
I currently live in North Dallas with my husband Adam and my cat Moo. I grew up in York, Pennsylvania where I received a Bachelors degree in Sociology from York College of Pennsylvania. In December of 2008 I received my Masters degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of North Florida. While in Jacksonville, Florida I had the opportunity to work as a program coordinator for a private transitional high school for young adults with developmental disabilities. I knew right then and there that this was something that I needed to continue to do in someway or another. I started working at My Possibilities in July 2010 and there is not a day I do not smile.
Clara Carpenter - Instructor
When I graduated from Tarleton State University with my B.S. in Communications, I was unsure about my direction in life. Fortunately, it was at a silent retreat that my spiritual director informed me of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, which I ended up joining that Fall. I was assigned to Cleveland, Ohio as a Program Specialist at a transitional housing unit called New Life Community, wherein I mainly worked with the children in the after-school or art therapy program.
However, I was still thirsting to serve; so, one of my community members suggested volunteering at the local L’Arche community on the weekends, which was a group home for people with and without disabilities. It was there that I discovered my greatest joy: serving and being with those with special needs.
After fulfilling my year of service, I returned to Texas to work first as a Special Education Paraprofessional at Plano Senior High School, wherein I aided a variety of students in various subjects; and once the 2009-2010 school year concluded, I began my position at My Possibilities in June as a Rehabilitative Instructor. My main goal is to improve each HIPster’s reading and writing skills through the means of core subject areas, including Math, English, Science, and Social Studies.
I am honored to be a part of the My Possibilities team, and am looking forward to see what new innovations and changes are to come as we continue to grow.
Hi, I'm Casey! I am a local native, brought up in
I grew up in a special needs environment, having been born with my own medical diagnoses, and I cannot imagine being anywhere else. I even attended a special needs camp every summer. As I grew up I delved into art to help cope and express the world within and around me; even to this day - in making art - I am able to think and express myself more clearly. It is a vastly important part of my human experience. And sharing that understanding with others in promotion of life is my greatest dream.
In June 2011 I was given the opportunity to share my passion by coming to work at My Possibilities. I have also continued giving my time to the same camp I attended as a youth, in hopes to share what I was given so many years ago.
Hey there! My name is Matt Henslee and I am excited to be a part of the My Possibilities team. Upon graduating from high school, I began serving as a minister in a few churches in the area and graduated from Dallas Baptist University with a degree in Christian Studies. But it wasn't until a year ago when my eyes were opened to the privilege of serving adults with intellectual disabilities.
In March 2010, I began teaching at a non-profit in Benton, Arkansas and later became the lead instructor. During the same time, I was the worship pastor at a church nearby and thoroughly enjoyed being a part of both. But my wife and I missed being closer to family, so we were very excited when the opportunity came to help start the new My Possibilities University program.
If you are interested in joining the My Possibilities team, please visit our hiring page to see what we currently have available.
