HEAD OF SCHOOL

Julia has a master’s degree in social work from Georgia State University and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Georgia College. Julia completed her practicum for her master’s program at Connections before joining the faculty as Director of Student Transitions. In this role, she designed and brought to life the young adult transition programs that serve Connections students after they complete their core curriculum. Julia went on to serve as Assistant Head of School where her passion for student empowerment, family engagement, and community education grew. As Head of School, Julia oversees all facets of the organization while centering students’ voices and ideas at every level.

DIRECTOR OF COUNSELING

Callie holds a master’s degree in social work from Georgia State University and a bachelor’s in music business from Belmont University. Callie coordinates and provides counseling to promote students’ social and emotional well-being and guides teachers on mental health awareness and inclusion. Callie works with young adults and their families to prepare for adulthood, using a strengths-based and student-centered approach to goal-setting. She also leads our internship program, connecting students to local businesses to gain job skills. Callie is a 2025 graduate of the GaLEND program at Georgia State, where she furthered her skills in culturally competent and family-centered care for the neurodiverse community.

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATION AND LEARNING

Jahada holds a master’s degree in teaching and special education with a reading endorsement from Georgia State University and a bachelor’s in integrative studies with a minor in linguistics from Kennesaw State University. Jahada completed her student teaching internship at Connections before joining the faculty. She holds a Georgia Educator Certificate in special education general curriculum. In her Director position, Jahada oversees and guides teachers on curriculum, instructional strategies, and communication methodologies. Jahada teaches English Language Arts and postsecondary writing and also leads community outings where students navigate public transportation and dine at restaurants.

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
FOUNDING FACULTY MEMBER

Michele holds a master’s degree in youth development leadership from Clemson University and a bachelor’s in child and family development from the University of Georgia. Michele earned a Strategic Inclusive Excellence Certificate from Clemson and has taught online courses in youth development philosophy, ethics, and mental health at Clemson. After opening Connections as the first lead teacher and later serving five years as Head of School, Michele is using her intimate knowledge of the organization to manage finances, compliance, and strategy. Michele is also a certified therapeutic yoga teacher and leads yoga classes for students.

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

Catherine holds a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Agnes Scott College and a master's in early childhood education from Mercer University. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in theatre and dance from Bennington College. As a teacher, Catherine was Orton-Gillingham trained and taught reading to students with learning differences. She completed her mental health counseling internship at Connections before joining the faculty. She is passionate about supporting and advocating for the neurodivergent community and looking forward to teaching the mental health course this year. Catherine will also provide individual and small group counseling and administrative support. 

VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS

Barbara came to Connections after five years working for City of Atlanta government where she built and maintained relationships with community members and leadership figures city-wide. Barbara has 20 years of experience as a caregiver serving children, neurodiverse young people, and older adults. With a love of the outdoors and a background in theatre, musical voice, piano, guitar, and ukulele, Barbara brings a unique variety of interests and experience to the students at Connections. Barbara teaches music and holistic health and also leads life skills education, including gardening, onsite job training, and other activities of daily living.

S.T.E.A.M.

David came to Connections with a wide variety of experience in law, theatre, the non-profit sector, medicine, and graduate admissions. He holds a Juris Doctor degree as well as a bachelor’s in philosophy from Mercer University. David switched to teaching full time in 2017 through Teach for America and was trained in empathy-based instruction. After founding a private academic support company in 2018, David has spent over 5,000 hours working with neurodiverse students and specializes in creating engaging, student-centered learning environments. David is passionate about incorporating social-emotional learning into academic instruction to help address challenges like performance anxiety while promoting resilience.

HISTORY
CONNECTIONS NEWS NETWORK (CNN)

Sade holds a master’s degree in creative and innovative education from Georgia State University and a bachelor’s in psychology and minor in child and family development from Georgia Southern. With experience in play-based therapies and child-centered behavioral interventions, Sade is particularly skillful in serving our student body. As a social-emotional learning (SEL) coach, Sade designed curriculum using play as a tool for self-regulation, social connection, and confidence-building. Additionally, Sade has previously worked as an academic instructional coach where she supported students who required additional learning assistance. Sade has a background in creative media and videography and is currently using this passion to co-create a school news show with students.

MULTI-CLASSROOM SUPPORT

Ginny joined the team to support classroom learning and community engagement outings after being a stellar substitute of ours! She majored in theater at the University of Tennessee and formally taught at Coralwood School and The Hirsch Academy. Ginny is committed to listening to the voices of neurodiverse self-advocate and loves to learn from our students who think and see the world differently. She is inspired by their creativity and unique perspectives on life and love. Ginny strives to create strong and lasting relationships with each of our students, and teachers benefit greatly from her wisdom, kindness, and calming nature. Ginny is a seasoned co-teacher of art and current events and has long partnered with staff on lunch outings and outdoor experiences.

FINE ARTS
FOUNDING FACULTY MEMBER

Heidi holds a master’s degree in psychology with a concentration in life coaching and creative expression from Sophia University. She majored in studio art and psychology at the University of Vermont and has extensive experience in education, art, and yoga. Heidi has been an educator since 1999, beginning as an Americorps member with local literacy programs. She taught for nine years in Atlanta DIR schools before helping open Connections. She is also a certified yoga instructor with additional training in special needs and yoga therapy. Heidi is loved for her kind heart and generous spirit!

MULTI-CLASSROOM SUPPORT

Kayla holds a bachelor's degree in graphic design from Georgia State University. Kayla discovered her love of child development and creative education as a mother to her two children. After realizing this passion, Kayla went on to serve as an educator at Freedom Park Preschool for five years. During this time, Kayla developed nurturing relationships with neurodiverse children and an affinity for working with students in individual and small-group engagements. Kayla has a natural ability to calm and co-regulate with students, making her a treasured addition to the classroom environment. Kayla's love of learning and pursuit of growth led her to Connections, where she supports students in a variety of classes and off-campus experiences. 

MULTI-CLASSROOM SUPPORT

Keri holds bachelor's degrees in human development and special education and a minor in sociology from Wheelock College. Keri also holds a master's in special education with a focus on autism from Florida International University. Keri has years of experience as a special education elementary school teacher, private homeschool teacher, and volleyball coach. She was introduced to Connections through her private tutoring business and loves being part of our community. Keri has a special gift of co-regulating and connecting with students. She supports English Language Arts and provides assistance with communication and regulation in the classroom.

COMMUNTY OPERATIONS ASSISTANT

Martin has a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary social sciences from Florida State University. Martin received a late-life Autism Spectrum diagnosis in 2008. Martin volunteers with Georgia Red Cross as a Disaster Action Team Duty Officer. In January 2026, he was appointed to an advisory board for crisis intervention training for first responders with the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. Martin is a 2026 graduate of the GaLEND program at Georgia State. He currently serves on a neurodiversity task force with the Marcus Autism Center. Martin recently was accepted into Autism Speaks Advocacy Academy where he hopes to influence public policy in the areas of education, housing, emergency management, and public safety.

MULTI-CLASSROOM SUPPORT

McKenzie started at Connections as a volunteer and fell in love with our joyous and special community. McKenzie is a former special education teacher with five years’ experience at the elementary level and three years at the high school level before taking a break to stay home after her son was born. During her time as a special education high school teacher, McKenzie created a first-of-its-kind schoolwide coffee shop, completely operated by her young adult students. She has also worked as a program director for Better Together, where she led community events for adults with complex disabilities. McKenzie is using these experiences and her creative energy to open a Connections Cafe with our young adult students!

THE HERO’S JOURNEY

Steve received his M.Ed, in educational leadership from Montana State University in 2008, where he mentored aspiring teachers as an adjunct faculty member. He has taught high school biology in both public and private schools, utilizing fly fishing to excite students about applying relevant science, technology, engineering, and math, and to learn more about the places, environments, and ecology where fish are found. Steve has also been a Montessori middle school science and math teacher, an wilderness instructor and supervisor for the National Outdoor Leadership School, a professional river guide in Idaho on the Middle Fork of the Salmon, and is trained as a wilderness EMT and First Responder.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
PARENT SUPPORT GROUP

VOLUNTEER
MENTAL HEALTH

PRESIDENT

Retired Principal, Mary Lin Elementary School

TREASURER, FINANCE COMMITTEE

Financial Analyst, FinTech, Project Consulting and Management

EDUCATION & DEIJ COMMITTEE

Director of Service Learning, The Paideia School

EDUCATION & DEIJ COMMITTEE

High School Principal, The Paideia School

PARENT LIAISON

Executive Director, Engineering, Enteprise Technology & Services, Morgan Stanley

FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE

Consultant, The Alexander Group