Meet The Team
Owner and Educational Advocate
Dr. Deanna Conley
I began my career in education at Providence College where I earned my degree in Elementary and Special Education. I then went on to participate in an inner-city teaching program while completing my Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Boston College. I have my Doctorate in Bilingual Special Education from The George Washington University, where I developed my expertise in the area of differentiating between learning differences and second language acquisition. My career in education has spanned twenty-five years and has included direct classroom teaching in both general education and special education settings, as well as working as a reading interventionist, behavior specialist, and a special education coordinator. I have also been an adjunct professor at Towson University and have presented at several national conferences. My love of working with my students and their families led me to create PROSPER; a place where families can feel heard and supported throughout their special education journey with their child.
In addition to being passionate about all things education, I also love spending time with my husband, raising our own two children, and I am grateful for any chance I can get to read, cook, garden, and visit the beach.
*Dr. Conley is currently working primarily with Portsmouth families through a DODEA Grant. Please see the Services Page for more information.
Educational Advocate
Ms. Lisa Evans
Hello! I have been working as a school psychologist since 2004. During that time, I have worked with hundreds of students and their families to help determine individual strengths, needs and build success one step at a time. I have experience with assessment, counseling, crisis management and behavioral intervention. I have also had the opportunity to be a Special Education Director and work with staff on professional development in these areas and many more. I love being able to focus my work and advocate for the best possible outcomes for each child I meet!
Although I currently live in Arizona, Rhode Island is actually home to me! I was born there and was a resident for 38 years before moving west. My family still lives there and I enjoy every opportunity I get to visit. During my free time, I love spending time with my husband and dogs, teaching dance classes and practicing yoga.
*Ms. Evans currently offers Virtual Advocate Services for our families that live in parts of the state outside of our immediate service area (Aquidneck Island) as well as those who live out of the state and our military families who live abroad.
Educational Advocate
Ms. Jill Malmisur
I am joining the PROSPER team with over 18 years of diverse experience in the field of education, during which time I have worked as the head special education teacher in a behavior support program and have served as the program developer and lead teacher of the first elementary classroom for students with Autism in Northeast Ohio. I have experience teaching in co-taught immersion model classrooms as well as working as a behavior specialist and consultant. I have a bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in Education from The Ohio State University, and I have my master's degree in special education K-12 from Providence College.
I believe that special education advocacy is not just about knowing the complex special education laws but also having the ability to effectively negotiate and navigate the system. I have a firm belief that challenges in the classroom are opportunities to help children develop and utilize their individual strengths to reach their full potential, and I am compassionate about helping parents create a vision for their child and voice their concerns.
Ms. Malmisur currently provides In-Person Advocacy Services to our families in the immediate Aquidneck Island area (Tiverton, Little Compton, Bristol/Warren, Middletown, Newport, and Jamestown)