About our Founder

Charlene E. Sigman, M.S., CCC-SLP
Founder/Speech Language Pathologist

As founder and director, Charlene Sigman has dedicated her life to help all children achieve their full potential.

Her programs serve more than 300 Bay Area children from ages 18 months to 12 years.   The School of Imagination preschool program is cutting edge and prepares children for success in Kindergarten. The School of Imagination also features innovative programs to help develop children with conditions including autism, Down syndrome and speech delays, to reach their full potential.

In 2006, Charlene and her husband, Mitch, founded the Non-Profit "School of Imagination" featuring the award winning enrichment programs and terrific teachers from Happy Talkers. Charlene made the decision to donate her programs, making them Not-for-Profit, because she believes families deserve so much more than what's currently available. Since some children may receive therapy or other support, all providers will be encouraged to come to the School of Imagination to provide their care. They believe parents shouldn't have to quit their careers to make sure their child gets the services they need.

"They graduate when they can go to kindergarten or first grade with typical kids and be successful, when they can speak well and answer questions well and be interactive and comfortable in the classroom," Charlene said. "When that happens, we know we've done our job. We never give up on any child reaching their full potential" - CBS

Charlene is a graduate of the College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York where she received a Masters of Science in Education and Communication Disorders. She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competency from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and licensure from the California Board of Quality Assurance.

Charlene served as Director of Speech Pathology at Huntington Hearing and Speech Center in Huntington, New York, and specialized in pediatric speech-language disorders. She has extensive clinical experience in stroke rehabilitation and neurological speech disorders, as well as the establishment of facility and home-based treatment programs.

Charlene's husband Mitch left his career in 2005 to work with Charlene on her mission full time.  Charlene and Mitch have a son Jared, daughter Lauren (Lucy) and a beloved dog Hannah.

Email:charlene@schoolofimagination.org  mitch@schoolofimagination.org
Telephone:925-829-9552 x 718