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 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.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR

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. Like Julia, Callie interned at Connections before joining the faculty. Callie works with our young adult students to support their postsecondary skillwork and community participation. She coordinates our internship program, connecting students to local business to gain job skills. Callie also manages our social media, leads fundraising efforts, and plans community events, afterschool programs, and advocacy initiatives for the school. Additionally, Callie uses her creativity and music business background to teach Math in the Music Industry.

LEAD TEACHER
LANGUAGE ARTS

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 addition to her language arts classes, Jahada supports the internship program and leads students on community outings where they navigate public transportation and dine at restaurants. Students say that Jahada is “a believer in our abilities.”

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 and leading Friday science activities, AmberRae supports our young adults as they explore future housing and employment opportunities, higher education, and social programs.

OUTDOOR EDUCATION
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 ukelele, Barbara brings a unique variety of interests and experience to the students at Connections. She currently leads outdoor education programs, teaches Improv and Civic Engagement, and supports our Math in the Music Industry course.

SOCIAL STUDIES
LIFE SKILLS & FINE ARTS

Blakeley was introduced to Connections through her role as an independent caregiver for several neurodiverse community members. While earning her bachelor’s degree in apparel design from Appalachian State University, she was involved with the Scholars with Diverse Abilities Program (SDAP) where she worked with neurodiverse artists and helped them run micro-businesses selling their artwork online. Blakeley is highly skilled at helping students engage in activities by supporting their motor work and regulation. Blakeley currently teaches art, life skills, and history.

S.T.E.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.

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.

MSW INTERN
SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Analla was first introduced to Connections while she was a high school student at Paideia. Now pursuing her Master of Social Work degree, she is back to complete her practicum with us and is on our Friday program staff. Drawing on memories at Connections and her time as a caregiver for a neurodivergent community member, Analla has experience being a peer as well as a mentor to our students. She is uniquely prepared to encourage our students’ social and emotional development. Analla is supporting design classes, outdoor education, and lunch outings in addition to her internship.

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.

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Hanley is a lifelong learner who craves new challenges and experiences. As a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant and a certified yoga instructor, Hanley creates opportunities for our students to develop self-awareness and strength. Hanley is trained in American Sign Language, and her additional areas of expertise include reflexology and meditation. Hanley was formerly a personal care assistant for young adults with disabilities such as Aicardi Syndrome, Muscular Dystrophy, and Cerebral Palsy and has worked with the elderly in assisted living facilities. Hanley lights up and brings positive energy to every room she enters!

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!

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.”

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.

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, FINANCE COMMITTEE

Senior Financial Analyst, ICE

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

Employment Counsel and Litigator, Moser Law Co.

PARENT LIAISON

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