THE PHILOSOPHY

GET INSPIRED

“It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to

have tried to succeed.”

–Theodore Roosevelt-

our team

jOE cARABASE

With nearly two decades of experience, Joe Carabase is a nationally recognized fitness and wellness coach known for helping clients transform their bodies and lives from the inside out. He has worked with leading brands such as Men’s Health and Beachbody, and serves as the trusted Fitness Expert for Great Day Connecticut. A certified hypnotist, Joe integrates mindset and subconscious reprogramming into his approach, empowering clients to overcome internal barriers for lasting change. As the founder of m.e.l.t. Fitness, In30Fit, and now D-Fine Mind & Body Wellness, Joe continues to redefine what’s possible in health and personal transformation. Most importantly, he’s a proud husband to Marikate and dad to Maeve and Joey.

mARIKATE cARABASE

Marikate Carabase is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with over 15 years of experience supporting children with diverse behavioral needs across school, clinic, and residential settings. She holds a Master’s degree in Special Education from Simmons University and a degree in Applied Behavioral Analysis from Western New England University. As the co-founder of Apogee CT, Marikate is redefining education through an individualized approach that supports each student’s development. Above all, she takes the most pride in being the mother to Maeve and Joey, who inspire her passion for helping every child thrive.

Ashlee Lagasee

I’ve spent the past year working with Apogee’s youngest students and helping them learn through play and hands-on activities.
I’m passionate about working with children because I believe they’re a gift from God. I love seeing the world through their eyes, and I truly believe we can make a positive difference in a child’s life. That's what I love about Apogee. It gives children the freedom to be themselves, stay curious, and grow into confident individuals. I’m so grateful to be part of the Apogee community and to have my daughter learning and growing there too.

Christina Alger

Professional Experience:
With over 25 years of experience caring for children, beginning as a neighborhood and community babysitter from my early teens to adulthood. Sunday school teacher for K-2 at my family’s church and Church Summer program leader. Now as a Mother of 3, including an 18-year journey of raising children through different stages of life and development, giving me firsthand appreciation for each child’s unique needs, strengths and personality.
During Apogee CT’s first year, I regularly volunteered in the classroom, assisting with younger students and my own child, who we have chosen to homeschool.

Why am I passionate about working with children?
I am passionate about creating a nurturing environment where children feel safe, seen and valued, allowing them to build confidence and a love of learning. I love encouraging their natural curiosity and celebrating their individual personalities and helping them grow socially, emotional and academically as well as building trusting relationships with not just the children but their families as well. I look forward to building a strong partnership and community with likeminded values and ambitions.

What resonates most with Apogee’s mission?
I believe education is not only about academics, but about helping children develop curiosity, confidence, character, and the ability to think and learn independently while partnering with families along the way. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be part of the Apogee community that shares my passion for helping children grow in all aspects of life and to give children meaningful choices and opportunities to grow.

Laura Fiducia

Professional experience:

I have over a decade of experience working with children across a variety of public and private special education settings. I hold a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology and Special Education, and my work has also expanded beyond the classroom through holistic parent coaching, Reiki, hypnosis, and floral arts. These experiences have shaped my whole-child approach and my belief that children thrive when we support them as individuals through their mind, body, and spirit.

Why am I passionate about working with children?

I’m passionate about creating environments where every child feels seen, and supported in developing confidence and effective learning skills.. I’ve spent my career working with students with a wide range of strengths and needs, and I love finding ways to make learning accessible, meaningful, and engaging for the individual child. As a former athlete and dancer, I also deeply value movement and have seen firsthand the positive impact physical activity can have on regulation, confidence, and learning.

What resonates most with Apogee’s mission?

What resonates most with me is the opportunity to rethink what education can look like. I believe children deserve more than a one-size-fits-all approach. They deserve individualized support to develop their strengths, build confidence, and genuinely enjoy learning and personal growth.