Dr. Emily KingChild Psychologist
Dr. Emily King is a child psychologist and former school psychologist who has worked with neurodivergent children and teens for over 20 years. She received a Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she worked at Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute and the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities.
She began her career as a School Psychologist in Houston, TX, specializing in providing school-based mental health in K-12 public schools. Dr. Emily now works in private practice in North Carolina supporting the mental health needs of neurodivergent youth, their families, and their teachers. Her new book, The Neurodivergent Learner, will be available for presale in early 2026.
Dr. Emily hosts the Learn with Dr. Emily Substack, where you can find her blogs and live workshops. She is also the creator of The Neurodiverse Classroom, a professional development curriculum for educators. Dr. Emily has been featured on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, quoted in The New York Times and The Washington Post, and has written for Parents.com. You can learn more with Dr. Emily by listening to her podcast or following her on Substack.
Website Instagram
Dr. Shelley MooreOutside Pin Consulting
Based in British Columbia, Canada, Dr. Shelley Moore is a highly sought-after inclusive education researcher, teacher, consultant, and storyteller. She has worked with school districts and community organizations around the world. Her research explores how to support teachers to design for all learners in grade-level academic classrooms that include students with intellectual disabilities using strength-based and responsive approaches. Shelley completed her undergraduate degree in Special Education at the University of Alberta, her Masters at Simon Fraser University, and her Ph.D. at the University of British Columbia.
Lane AbramsAchievement Center Director, Christ Church Episcopal School
Lane Abrams is the achievement center director at Christ Church Episcopal School (CCES) in Greenville, SC. Lane has 24 years of experience as an exceptional education teacher, 20 of which have been in an independent school setting. She has served as AP and SSD Coordinator for CCES, as well as being an Upper School Learning Specialist and 11th Grade Dean of Students. Lane is a passionate advocate for individualized student needs and understands the importance of meeting students where they are in the learning process.
Kathleen BukowskiLearning Strategist, The Westminster Schools
Kathleen Bukowski is an accomplished educator with 30 years of experience supporting children with learning and attentional differences. She has played a pivotal role in establishing and growing academic support programs at various independent schools, where her dedication to fostering inclusive learning environments has made a significant impact. Kathleen is passionate about helping students recognize and harness their unique strengths to navigate academic challenges, empowering them to achieve their fullest potential.
Porter BurgessMiddle School Learning Specialist, Christ Church Episcopal School
Porter Burgess is a middle school learning specialist at Christ Church Episcopal School in Greenville, South Carolina. Porter specializes in mathematics instruction for students with math-based learning disabilities and executive functioning support for all students. With eight years of teaching experience, Porter is committed to developing individualized, research-based instruction and interventions that foster self-efficacy and promote academic growth. Passionate about inclusive education, Porter strives to ensure that all students have equal access to the curriculum.
An alum of Furman University, Porter holds a B.A. in Elementary Education and an M.A. in Special Education. Outside the classroom, Porter enjoys running, hiking with her husband and dog, Bee, and exploring the lively Greenville community.
Shaylyn CareyPortfolio Director, Harvard Graduate School of Education
Shaylyn Carey is a portfolio director in the Professional Education division at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She leads the strategy and design of several professional development programs, including Women in Education Leadership, the Think Tank on Global Education, Family Engagement in Education, and Universal Design for Learning. She holds an MA in Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures from the University of Texas at Austin and a BA in International Affairs and Middle East Studies from George Washington University in Washington, DC.
Dr. Erica CarswellUpper School Academic Support Coordinator/ Upper School CEI Coordinator, Fort Worth Country Day School
Dr. Carswell is an experienced educator committed to fostering supportive learning environments and promoting collaborative cultures. A graduate of Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Carswell earned her Doctor of Education degree specializing in Mind, Brain, and Teaching and is passionate about building educator capacity and enhancing pedagogical practices to improve student outcomes. Her background in special education and experience in the charter, public, private, and post-secondary education settings lend to a unique perspective for addressing opportunities of practice and facilitating equitable opportunities to learn.
Sophie DanielsSchool Psychologist/Learning Specialist, The Westminster Schools
Sophie Daniels is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist. She has a bachelors degree in psychology and an education specialist degree in school psychology from Auburn University. Sophie started her career in private practice providing neuropsychological evaluations and educational consulting and then entered the world of private schools working as a school psychologist for the past 12 years. She currently serves as a learning strategist and school psychologist at the lower school at Westminster, where she specializes in working with elementary school age kids. She has a passion for helping students to reach their full potential by collaborating with families and teachers with a focus on parent and teacher education, neuropsychological assessment, early intervention, and building lifelong skills through executive functioning and coping strategies.
Luciana De BenedictisSchool Counselor, St. Thomas Episcopal Parish School
Luciana De Benedictis is a school counselor for St. Thomas Episcopal Parish School. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from FAAP (Brazil), as well as a Master in Business Administration from the IE Business School (Spain) and a Master’s in Counselor Education with Specialization in School Counseling from FIU. She is a State of Florida Certified School Counselor PreK-12th grade and is a certified ADHD professional, trained in Responsive Classroom for Elementary and Middle School, Students with Special Needs Specialist from the American School Counselor Association, and MNRI NeuroTactile Integration.
Meg GoddardExecutive Functioning & Academic Coach, The Galloway School
Meg Goddard holds a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Gifted Education from the University of Virginia and dual undergraduate degrees in English Literature and Statistics. With extensive experience teaching advanced math, Meg’s career spans roles as a middle, high school, and undergraduate instructor, as well as a learning specialist and executive functioning and academic coach. She enjoys working with a range of learners, from middle schoolers to NCAA Division I student-athletes. She specializes in helping students develop critical skills like time management, organization, and self-advocacy. Meg has served as a faculty member at Webb School of Knoxville and The Lovett School. Currently, Meg is an Executive Functioning and Academic Coach at The Galloway School in Atlanta, where she partners with students, families, and faculty to foster academic success. Meg also provides private coaching and has worked with students at top independent schools throughout Georgia and Tennessee.
Website
Jill Lovorn GoughDirector of Teaching and Learning, Trinity School
Jill Gough, director of teaching and learning at Trinity School since 2012, facilitates professional development opportunities, builds teacher-administrator partnerships to facilitate a collaborative learning community, and leads educator observations and assessments.
Dr. Scott HamiltonClinical Psychologist/Owner, Understanding Minds, PC
Dr. Scott Hamilton is a licensed clinical psychologist who founded Understanding Minds, PC in Atlanta. He has more than 20 years of experience providing comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations of children, adolescents, and young adults. Scott received his Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Clinical Psychology from Indiana State University. He is board certified by the American Board of School Neuropsychology. Scott frequently presents at regional and national workshops on various topics related to the interface between education and neuroscience. In addition to his private practice, he has 17 years of experience in independent school leadership, serving as principal and assistant head of school for academics for a K-12 independent school for students with language-based learning disabilities and learning differences, and as learning center director at a college-prep preK-12 school in Indianapolis.
Mary Jacob HarrisLearning Specialist, Trinity School
Mary Jacob Harris serves as a learning specialist at Trinity School in Atlanta for grades 2-5. In her position, she supports students with diagnosed learning differences, including dyslexia, dyscalculia, and impairments in written expression. Prior to this role, Mary Jacob spent fifteen years as a classroom teacher in Kindergarten, first grade, and third grade. Examining student data is part of her weekly practice to support student learning and help classroom teachers design and implement diagnostic and prescriptive tier-two instruction.
David JohnstoneHead of Lower School, Christ Church Episcopal School
David Johnstone became the head of lower school at the start of the 2017-18 school year. He began his principalships at Fork Shoals Elementary School, where he served from 1997-2005, and moved subsequently into his most recent position as principal of Sterling School-Charles Townes Center, a community of 850 students in K-4 through 8th grade. David developed the Charles Townes Center, an innovative, accelerated program for 450 gifted students in third through eighth grade. Collaterally, he instituted the Sterling Program, a project/inquiry based instructional program of choice for 420 students from the Nicholtown community and Greenville County. David took his undergraduate education at the College of Charleston and completed a Master’s of Education in Administration and Supervision at Clemson University.
Dr. Emily W. King is a child psychologist who has worked with neurodivergent children and teens for more than 20 years. She received a Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she worked at the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute and Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities. She spent five years as a school psychologist in Houston, TX, specializing in providing school-based mental health services in K-12 public schools. Dr. Emily now works in private practice in Raleigh supporting the mental health needs of neurodivergent youth, their families, and teachers. She is the creator of “The Neurodiverse Classroom”, a professional development curriculum for K-12 educators. She has been featured on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, quoted in The New York Times and The Washington Post, and has written for Parents.com. You can learn more with Dr. Emily on her podcast, Substack blog, or online parent workshops.
Taylor KnightUpper School Teacher, Mathematics, St. Christopher’s School
Taylor Knight is a dedicated math educator at a VAIS school in Virginia, with a passion for student-centered learning and innovative teaching strategies. A Duke University graduate with a BS in Economics, Taylor served in the Peace Corps before earning an MBA from William & Mary.
With a strong background in education and leadership, Taylor brings a global perspective to the classroom, emphasizing critical thinking and real-world application. His work focuses on making math accessible and engaging while fostering a growth mindset in students.
Jessica KulpUpper School Academic Support Coordinator, Cannon School
Jessica Kulp currently serves as the upper school student academic support coordinator at Cannon School in Concord, NC. Prior to joining Cannon in 2014, she taught English and coached girls’ basketball for eight years in North Carolina public schools. She holds a B.A. in English from Catawba College and an M.A. in curriculum and instruction from University of North Carolina – Charlotte.
In 2017, Jessica led the establishment of Cannon’s academic coaching program, a 1:1 relational, research-based initiative to support executive function development and student agency. This initial program has since evolved into a comprehensive Academic Resource Center, offering academic coaching and peer tutoring in writing, math, and science. Jessica finds joy and purpose in sharing her passion for and expertise in executive functioning skills, educational neuroscience, and effective teaching and learning practices with students, families, and colleagues.
Dr. Diane MilnerPrincipal, Key School at Carolina Day School
Diane Milner is the founder and current principal of the Key School, a division for bright children with dyslexia, at Carolina Day in Asheville, NC. In addition, Diane is the supervising OGA Fellow for the Key Learning Center (KLC) in Asheville, NC. The KLC serves as an outreach for teacher training and community support in the area of dyslexia education and is credentialed with the Orton-Gillingham Academy (OGA), the International Multisensory Structured Language Education Council (IMSLEC), and IDA.
Diane is a former public school educator, administrator, university adjunct professor, and an independent school principal for 28 years. Her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees are in special education. Her doctorate degree is in educational leadership. She has presented at many dyslexia and independent school conferences and has been focusing on the neuroscience behind teaching and learning for over 28 years.
Sara QuesinberryAssistant Principal, Key School at Carolina Day School
Sara Quesinberry has been with Key School for the past 16 years in the roles of language comprehensive teacher, multisensory math teacher, physical education teacher, and assistant principal. She is a Certified Academic Language Practitioner (CALP) and Multisensory Math Teaching Level 1 instructor.
Eileen Pinero RodriguezStudent Support Facilitator, St. Thomas Episcopal Parish School
Eileen Pinero Rodriguez is a student support facilitator and interventionist. She hold a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education K-6th grade from Barry University, an Early Childhood Special Education Endorsement in Birth-3 years old from the University of Miami, and a Master’s in Early Childhood Education in PreK-3rd grade with Gifted Education Endorsement from Barry University. Eileen has more than 30 years of teaching experience in PreK-3rd grade levels in public and private schools, with specialized training in the Orton-Gillingham learning approach and Lindamood-Bell learning services. She is a certified ADHD professional and is trained in Responsive Classroom.
Dr. Heather RamseyDirector of Educational Technology, The Fletcher School
Heather Ramsey is a learner, a lectiophile, and an advocate for technology in education. She is the director of educational technology at The Fletcher School in Charlotte, which is an Apple Distinguished School serving students with learning disabilities and ADHD. She recently completed her doctorate in Educational Leadership at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Her educational interests include Digital Citizenship, universal design for learning, and helping educators design instruction to engage every student.
Maggie SimmsLearning Specialist, Christ Church Episcopal School
Maggie Simms is a middle school learning specialist at Christ Church Episcopal School in Greenville, SC, focusing on grades 5 and 6. With thirteen years of teaching experience, she is passionate about supporting students, consulting with teachers, and providing guidance to parents to foster academic success. Maggie also collaborates with middle school leadership to implement professional development that enhances instructional strategies for diverse learners. A proud alumna of Christ Church, Maggie holds a B.A. and an M.A.T. from Furman University.
Marra SmithDirector, Center for Academic Success & Well-Being, Miami Country Day School
Marra Smith has worked in a variety of school settings over the past 18 years, dedicating the last 12 years to the Miami Country Day School community. As both a classroom teacher and administrator, Marra is guided by the belief that we can create an environment where all students reach their full potential. In her current role as the inaugural Director of the Center for Academic Success and Well-Being, Marra has focused on developing systems and maximizing faculty talents to ensure this environment thrives at Miami Country Day. Above all, Marra is passionate about her daily work to bring the school’s mission to life, ensuring that “every student, every day, everywhere” is seen, known, and understood.
MaryBeth SpencerChief Education Officer, Woodlynde School
MB is the chief education officer at Woodlynde School, an independent school in the Philadelphia region for students who learn differently. MB has worked in schools for 20 years and holds two Masters degrees in Education and Special Education and is a Wilson Certified Dyslexia Practitioner. She is certified in Pennsylvania as a teacher, special educator, and reading specialist, with an endorsement in autism spectrum disorders.
Dr. Jenna TaylorClinician, Playful Pathway Counseling
Dr. Jenna Taylor, PhD, LMHCA, NCC graduated with her doctorate degree in counseling with a specialty in play therapy from the University of North Texas. She also holds a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling with a certification in play therapy from UNC Charlotte. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate and a National Certified Counselor. Prior to becoming a counselor, Dr. Taylor was a special education teacher. She works with clients across the lifespan, including children ages 3+, adolescents, and adults. Dr. Taylor has experience as a counselor and play therapist in private practice, community clinics, and schools. Dr. Taylor has advanced training working with caregivers, parents, and teachers. She specializes in working with children and adolescents and has extensive experience working with children with disabilities, neurodivergence, anxiety, depression, life adjustments, and trauma. In addition to her clinical work, she is an adjunct professor and researcher.
Heidi TringaliOccupational Therapist/Owner, Tringali Occupational Therapy Services
Heidi Tringali is a pediatric Occupational Therapist, speaker, writer, and mother of two adult children. Heidi holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Special Education and Psychology from Hastings College and a Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Tufts University.
Heidi founded Tringali Occupational Therapy Services (T.O.T.S) in response to a need for Occupational Therapy services in independent schools. T.O.T.S provides training and consultative services to independent schools and preschools nationwide. Heidi offers professional development for faculty and families on topics related to classroom success and maximizing student performance.
Heidi is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association, where she serves as a Media Expert. She serves as an Expert Witness\Consultant for legal cases related to pediatric Occupational Therapy. Heidi is certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.
Katie Walker, LMFTHealth and Wellness Counselor, Fort Worth Country Day School
Katie Walker is a licensed marriage and family therapist who found her way to Fort Worth Country Day School in August of 2022. Coming from a family of educators and specializing in adolescent family therapy, she believed that transitioning to a grades 9-12 school would be a natural next step. With extensive training in systemic approaches, Katie incorporates family, community, national, and global considerations in her programming and counseling.
Katie received her Bachelors of Science in Psychology at Abilene Christian University and a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy with a focus on Advanced Systemic Multicultural Counseling from Appalachian State University. Katie’s professional interests include mindfulness and self-compassion, school-parent partnerships, and family therapy.
Dr. Carrie WillmoreAcademic Dean, Boyd-Buchanan School
Dr. Carrie Willmore is an experienced educational leader with a strong background in curriculum development and school administration. She currently serves as the K-12 academic dean at Boyd Buchanan School, an independent school in Chattanooga, TN. With a teaching career that began in middle school English, Dr, Willmore moved into school leadership as the principal of a K-8 museum magnet school before transitioning into her current role. Dr. Willmore recently finished her doctoral degree in the area of curriculum and instruction.
Heather WynkoopThird Grade Language Arts Teacher, The Fletcher School
Heather Wynkoop brings three decades of experience in independent schools, supporting both teachers and students. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Clarion University of Pennsylvania and a Master’s in Education specializing in Reading Instruction from Winthrop University.
Heather’s passion for working with students who have diverse learning styles grew from her own need for support as a student. She finds fulfillment in helping students unlock the joy of learning. In her roles as a classroom teacher and administrator, Heather has focused on developing effective practices to accommodate all learners.
Lee YonikaTeaching Fellow, Harvard Graduate School of Education
Lee Yonika is an educational consultant working in a variety of spaces. All of her work is tied to Universal Design for Learning. She is currently an adjunct instructor at the University of Prince Edward Island, a Teaching Fellow at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education, a facilitator in a collaboration with CAST and HGSE, and has taught and coached in urban settings in Massachusetts.
She holds an ED. M. from Boston University, in Deaf education. Lee’s background in special education along with multilingual learners set her on a path to working with students and teachers, creating environments, curriculum, practices, that centered around seeing the capacity in all learners.
Learn More