POINT SCHOOL PUERTO RICO

OUR TEAM

Meet the Team

Robert Baldassari

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

  • Robert is a highly skilled professional who brings a wide range of experience and mastery to this role. With an extensive background spanning over seven years working with participants in program settings, Robert has held various positions, including guide, staff development specialist, program developer, risk and compliance officer, and leader. Currently, he serves as the Program Director at Point School, where he plays a crucial role in contributing to the program’s development and success.

    “Over the many years of working alongside Robert, I have witnessed his ability to build rapport, connect and guide young adults. Robert is passionate about finding adventure and purpose in his life and has brought this enthusiasm to the participants and team at Point School,” says Caitlin Galt, Director of Well-Being.

    Before his career in wilderness therapy, Robert accumulated over 15 years of experience in ski instructing, earning notable certifications such as PSIA Level 2, AASI Level 1, and Children Specialist 1. Outside of work, Robert embraces his adventurous spirit by engaging in activities like skiing, hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, and ice climbing. He has taken on remarkable expeditions, including solo climbs of peaks like Mt. Gannett, Mt. Shasta, Mt. Rainier, and Mt. Hood. Currently residing in Puerto Rico, Robert enjoys the beaches, jungle, and culture of the area.

    With his diverse skill set and unwavering commitment to personal growth, Robert Baldassari brings his passion and expertise to the dynamic world of gap year programming.

CAITLIN GALT
LCMHC

DIRECTOR OF WELL BEING

  • As the Director of Well Being, Caitlin develops and implements wellness strategies for clients. She collaborates with the team and families to promote program effectiveness, assesses clients’ mental and emotional well-being, and develops treatment plans and goals.

    Caitlin is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor with years of experience in wilderness, therapeutic programs, and outpatient therapy. When Caitlin is not working with our clients she is running her own private practice. She is the Owner and a Therapist at Fairbourne Group.

    Caitlin helps us continue our commitment to creating a healthy and supportive work environment for all clients and families.

Jillian
allen

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

  • Jill Allen serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Point School Puerto Rico. She obtained a bachelor’s degree from Salve Regina University in Secondary Education. Jill is currently working to obtain her Master’s degree in Human Service Administration from Bellevue University. Jill began her career working in therapeutic boarding schools, where she found a passion for working with those diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). After finding her passion, she then focused her efforts on becoming a Behavior Specialist where she helped middle and high school students improve their behavior in the school setting. While serving as Behavior Specialist Jill provided direct intervention, created school safety protocols, and served as the Nonviolent Crisis Prevention Intervention trainer. Jill has also provided in-home supports to clients and families as a Case Manager and Supervisor with Boys Town of South Florida. While at Boys Town, Jill advocated for services for clients within their communities and provided parent support and training.

    Throughout Jill’s experience she has focused on how to help staff and parents see client behavior as communication of needs. Showing both families and staff that if that if they look towards what is being communicated that we can find how to both decrease the behavior and more importantly help the client is Jill’s passion. She feels that with strong relationship building, clients feel safe to seek the help they need and will be more likely to accept feedback.

    Jill originally joined Point School’s partner program, Brightstone Transitions in 2017 upon moving to Georgia. In her free time, Jill enjoys spending time with her family, reading, running, and travels back to New England to see family and friends. Jill Allen serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Point School Puerto Rico. She obtained a bachelor’s degree from Salve Regina University in Secondary Education. Jill is currently working to obtain her Master’s degree in Human Service Administration from Bellevue University. Jill began her career working in therapeutic boarding schools, where she found a passion for working with those diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). After finding her passion, she then focused her efforts on becoming a Behavior Specialist where she helped middle and high school students improve their behavior in the school setting. While serving as Behavior Specialist Jill provided direct intervention, created school safety protocols, and served as the Nonviolent Crisis Prevention Intervention trainer. Jill has also provided in-home supports to clients and families as a Case Manager and Supervisor with Boys Town of South Florida. While at Boys Town, Jill advocated for services for clients within their communities and provided parent support and training.

    Throughout Jill’s experience she has focused on how to help staff and parents see client behavior as communication of needs. Showing both families and staff that if that if they look towards what is being communicated that we can find how to both decrease the behavior and more importantly help the client is Jill’s passion. She feels that with strong relationship building, clients feel safe to seek the help they need and will be more likely to accept feedback.

    Jill originally joined Point School’s partner program, Brightstone Transitions in 2017 upon moving to Georgia. In her free time, Jill enjoys spending time with her family, reading, running, and travels back to New England to see family and friends.

KATHY HALL
MS

SPANISH IMMERSION INSTRUCTOR

  • Kathy came to Puerto Rico to get her Master’s degree in Marine Biology at UPR 35 years ago, and has remained to wholeheartedly adopt the language and culture! She holds teaching certificates in Biology, Environmental Science, and Elementary Education, and almost finished a second Master’s in Environmental Science Education at UMET. She also is a certified surf instructor and coach with the International Surfing Association, and gives surf, snorkel, and SUP lessons. Kathy has taken most of her classes in Spanish, and has realized that learning another language is much easier in an immersion setting.

    Kathy is president of the Liga Ecológica del Noroeste, a nonprofit environmental group she cofounded in 1992, and vice-president of Rescate Playas Isabela, where she is in charge of the coastal water testing program. She has gotten students involved in both taking samples, and learning how to run them in the lab to measure bacterial levels. Kathy also works with endangered species such as sea turtles and corals, and enjoys every opportunity to get students involved in protecting them.

SEAN M. ROSE, M.ED.

FOUNDER/OWNER

  • Sean M. Rose, M.Ed. has more than 24 years of experience working with and advocating for the needs of families. He has held various leadership roles in the public sector, private programs and in municipalities. Over the years, he has successfully partnered with schools, clinical staff, educational consultants and community providers to help young adults overcome their mental health challenges.

JASON
COX

CO-OWNER

  • Jason is the Co-Owner. He brings a wide variety of experiences and passions to the PSPR team. Jason comes to Point School PR with years of management experience in both therapeutic programming and summer camp programs.

    Jason takes an active approach to working with clients and their families, but his work does not stop at the admission process. He continues to be involved with clients and their families throughout their time at Point School Puerto Rico. A major focus of his work with young adults is helping them find and pursue their individual passions. Jason understands that this often leads to young adults finding newways to be successful. Jason received a bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a concentration in Southern Urban Minority Politics from East Carolina University. Jason enjoys the outdoors and spending time with his family. Jason enjoys taking his son on adventures across the country.

To the Young Men:

Once you step foot on the island, you will be immersed in a different culture and language. There will be new people, foods, and activities to experience. There will be room to grow in your strengths, passions, and future goals. Our staff will challenge you to step outside of your comfort zone to become your best self. This experience is not only intense, it will be deeply gratifying if you are willing to test your vulnerability.

Are you up for the challenge?