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 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND TRANSITION

Callie holds a master’s degree in social work from Georgia State University and a bachelor’s in business administration in music business from Belmont University. Callie works with our young adult students to develop their postsecondary skills, hone in on their strengths and values, and prepare for adulthood. She coordinates our internship program, connecting students to local businesses to gain job skills. Callie also leads fundraising efforts and advocacy initiatives for the school and manages our social media. Callie is a 2025 graduate of the GaLEND program at Georgia State, where furthered her skills in culturally competent and family-centered care for the neurodiverse community.

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION

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 reading, creative writing, and literature and also leads community outings where students navigate public transportation and dine at restaurants.

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
FOUNDING FACULTY MEMBER

Michele has 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 holds a Strategic Inclusive Excellence Certificate from Clemson and currently teaches online undergraduate courses in youth development at Clemson. Michele is also a certified therapeutic yoga teacher and leads Friday yoga classes for students. 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.

HOLISTIC HEALTH & LIFE SKILLS
MUSIC

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.M.
ECONOMICS

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
ENRICHMENT

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.

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 through homeschooling 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. 

SCIENCE

AmberRae has a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and a minor in entrepreneurship and is a licensed massage therapist. AmberRae joined the faculty to teach Biology and Anatomy with a personal interest in connecting with and contributing to her neurodiverse community. As an autistic woman, AmberRae brings personal experience and important perspective to our school. She is a lifelong learner, passionate about education, and highly motivated to advocate for neurodiverse learners. In addition to teaching, AmberRae encourages our young adults as they explore future housing and employment opportunities, higher education, and social programs.

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE
FOUNDING FACULTY MEMBER

Carolyn graduated from Roanoke College with a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a concentration in human development and a minor in sociology. Carolyn formerly taught in Montessori and DIR/Floortime schools before joining the inaugural faculty at Connections. She trained in American Sign Language at University of Georgia and also has an extensive musical background in voice and piano. The students say she has a “heart of gold” and a “gentle spirit,” and Carolyn says she is inspired each day by their perseverance and strength.

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!

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. Before joining the staff at Connections, he volunteered with the disability organizations Young Life Capernaum and Gigi's Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Center. Martin currently serves on a neurodiversity task force with the Marcus Autism Center and recently completed legislative advocacy training with the UnlockGA coalition and disability organization InCommunity. Martin knows what it's like to be told what he cannot do and wants to empower others to believe they can do anything they put their minds to.

LIFE SCIENCE

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.

TEACHER ASSISTANT

Zoe was an inaugural student at Connections and a member of our first graduating class to complete the full eight-year cycle of our high school and young adult program. She is uniquely qualified to support students by relating to their experiences and sharing her firsthand knowledge in the classroom. While in our transition program, Zoe completed internships at Cinnaholic, Virginia Highland Books, Smoothie King, Jersey Mike’s, and The Clean Dog. She is currently working at MEND Coffee in addition to her time at Connections. After completing online courses at Landmark College, Zoe has returned to Connections to assist our young adults who are dually-enrolled at Landmark and taking the Perspectives in Learning course.

MATH

Jen holds a Ph.D. in mathematics education with an emphasis in instructional technology and an M.S. in mathematics. She has more than twenty years of experience teaching mathematics, primarily at the high school level, but also to elementary and middle school students as well as to adults. Becoming a parent to an amazing, autistic child inspired her to expand her work to include both neurotypical and neuroatypical students. She uses a relational approach, aiming first to connect with her students and establish trust. Jen is adaptable in her methods and willing to work with students in whatever way serves them best on that particular day, in that particular moment.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Jess graduated from New York University with a master’s degree in occupational therapy. Jess has been serving our students and mentoring many of our teachers since before Connections opened. In addition to being the occupational therapist at The Hirsch Academy, she started her own practice, Minds in Motion, in 2015. Jess works closely with her clients to help them gain more strength, coordination, and independence in daily living skills. Jess also specializes in supporting students with developing the purposeful motor skills they need to access alternative modes of communication. One Connections student says, “Jess can take credit for getting me so loved at school.”

VOLUNTEER

Niamh is an Irish national who moved to Atlanta from Canada with her husband in 2021. She is a UK trained Physiotherapist with eight years of experience working with both adults and children in a variety of settings. Additionally, she has a BA in Communication Studies that she earned in Ireland and is currently worked toward her Masters of Science in Food, Nutrition, and Health. She has experience working in school settings in Ireland, primarily as a substitute teacher in primary schools. Niamh generously volunteers her time supporting students in all of our classes and programs. Her warm and kind presence brings a sense of peace to each environment she supports.

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