Encourage. Empower. Educate. Employ.

Born and raised in the UK, Christian Thierens moved to the USA in his mid-twenties to pursue a career as a professional ballroom dance teacher. A late-diagnosed AuDHD individual, Christian shares this journey with his wife, embracing neurodivergence as part of their shared story. Working with the autistic community fulfills a lifelong dream, and Christian remains passionate about advocating for awareness and inclusion in every aspect of his work and personal endeavors.

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Lori McClurg brings over 30 years of expertise in education, specializing in social-emotional, intellectual, and developmental disabilities. She is a credentialed elementary and special education teacher and licensed Director of Special Education, Lori holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado, a Master’s from the University of Phoenix, and administrative studies back at UNC. Outside of work, she cherishes time with her sons and family, traveling, and volunteering at a community farm offering animal-emotional support.

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Melissa Flynn is a graduate of the Art Institute of Colorado, holding a degree in Culinary Arts. With 14 years of culinary experience and five years as a caregiver, Melissa brings a wealth of expertise and compassion to TACT. A breast cancer survivor, her resilience and passion inspire everyone she works with. Melissa is dedicated to sharing her love for the culinary arts and empowering students to create meaningful opportunities through their skills.

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Born in San Diego, Dana Guzman has lived in San Diego, Los Angeles, and Denver. As the firstborn in a large family, Dana developed a deep connection to technology early on. With 6 years of experience as a Systems Administrator and Engineer, Dana thrives on continuous learning, particularly in STEM fields. Passionate about innovation and problem-solving, he enjoys exploring new advancements and staying updated with the latest trends, bringing expertise and enthusiasm to the TACT team.

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Andrew has over 20 years in Colorado’s construction industry as a general contractor and was first introduced to the ASD and IDD community as a substitute teacher. He later transitioned into facilities management at The Joshua School before joining TACT. A Denver native with a BA from Azusa Pacific University, Andrew enjoys playing music, listening to records, hiking, and golfing when he’s not fixing buildings.

Matthew Somsky, TACT’s Admissions & Special Education Transition Director, hails from Kalamazoo, MI, and is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University. He studied abroad in Oxford, England, and traveled throughout Europe before living 10+ years in Chicago. Since moving to Colorado in 2015 with his wife, Amanda, Matthew has built a career in education. They have an 8-year-old son, Andrew, and enjoy skiing, camping, hiking, and exploring Colorado’s outdoors.