Amanda is very excited to be joining the Hirsch Family. She loves the school's philosophy and approach to education. She is looking forward to working with her students to help instill a life-long love of learning.

Catherine Barnes, M. Ed.
Support Teacher

Cat Barnes has a Masters in Education from the University of Florida. She has 15 years of classroom teaching experience in a broad array of educational settings. Cat is certified to teach pre-K through eighth grade in all subjects. Through completing supplementary coursework focusing on the diagnosis and remediation of reading difficulties, Cat has acquired additional certification in reading for grades pre-K through 12. Cat recently completed coursework through the University of Georgia that led to certification in the field of Gifted Education, grades Pre-K through 12. As a lifelong learner herself, she recognizes motivation as the key component to developing a lifelong love and commitment to learning. Her interest in Gifted Education stems from this belief and the recognition that helping students develop creativity and reasoning ability often translates into increased interest, motivation, and academic confidence. In studying Gifted Education she has focused her research on students with Asperger's Syndrome. Many children with this diagnosis are often considered to be "twice exceptional", with advanced mental abilities in some areas and vast deficits in others. Cat has grown both personally and professionally in her efforts to discover how best to help students with these vast learning differences.

As the parent of a child with Sensory Integration Dysfunction, Cat has come to understand the strengths that often accompany such acute sensitivities, and the challenges that her child and others with similar issues face. Like most parents of a special needs child, she has explored a broad range of strategies and therapies to help her child, and actively seeks to learn more each day to help her child and others with similar challenges. Cat is thrilled by the level of knowledge and expertise held by the staff members of The Hirsch Academy. She is excited to be joining this group of professionals who truly understand each child, and are committed to helping each thrive... physically, socially, emotionally, and academically.

Julie obtained a B.A. in Special Education with a minor in Psychology in 1976 and received Montessori certification in 1977. She taught Montessori for thirteen years, working with children from the ages of two to seven. For ten years, she served as the Educational Director at Arbor Montessori School, serving 200 students from preschool through middle school. In that capacity, she counseled students, parents and teachers, and helped plan programs to meet the developmental needs of the children. She completed her M.A. in Psychology/Counseling in 1998 and began working with children individually as well as continuing to work with Arbor Montessori.

Julie is currently working in private practice with Floortime Atlanta, counseling children and their parents using the DIR model. She performs observations and consultations with other schools, as well. Her extensive experience working with several school systems has helped her to see the value of creating a school community in which staff, parents, and children are all learners in an atmosphere of mutual respect and collaboration. She is committed to building partnerships between parents and staff to support the children and our mutual goals for them. She is excited by the prospect of working with a group of people who share her values of creating an interactive, sensory-based program which supports individual children and families.

Clare has a B.A. in Elementary Education and an M.Ed in Learning Disabilities. She has been teaching for thirteen years. For the past eight years, she served as a Lead Teacher at The Howard School, teaching children with learning differences and disabilities. Prior to that, she taught preschool for five years. Clare is drawn to education because of her love for children and their natural curiosity for the world around them. She believes in meeting each child where they are developmentally and guiding them forward in a reciprocal relationship of learning. She knows that learning should be an exciting and fascinating adventure, and that each child is capable when given the right environment and properly motivated.

Teaching at the Hirsch Academy is especially exciting for Clare as she knows first hand how important the collaboration and integration of the Speech and Language Pathologist and the Occupational Therapist are to classroom learning. She was first attracted to Hirsch as the school was conceived from the love and dedication of parents who were determined to find the right learning environment for their child. She is thrilled to be a part of the Hirsch Academy where she can teach with integrity and know that each child will receive what he or she needs intellectually, physically and emotionally.

Leslie has a B.A. in Therapeutic Recreation and a M.A. in Counseling. She has worked with children, adults and families in a variety of clinical settings for over 20 years. For 11 years, she worked as a Rehabilitation Counselor at Shepherd Spinal Center, providing individual, family and group counseling for patients with spinal cord injuries and other neurological conditions. In this position, she also assisted patients and their families in obtaining the necessary community support services to facilitate their transition to their home environments. Leslie’s experience also includes working at a residential facility for clients with a variety of disabilities, where she was responsible for planning recreational activities in accordance with each resident’s individual social and development goals.

Leslie and her family founded the Hirsch Academy in order to provide a sensory-based learning environment for children with learning differences. As a parent of such a child who was struggling in his academic environment, Leslie understood how the learning process benefitted when sensory processing functions were regulated. Leslie was committed to designing a curriculum that would provide the necessary social, emotional and regulatory support services in the classroom setting to assist her child and others like him in becoming available for a strong academic curriculum. Leslie is thrilled and honored to be a part of a team of dedicated professionals who are working to provide the learning environment that will meet the social, emotional and academic needs for each Hirsch student to reach his or her optimal potential.

Shelley has a M.S. in Occupational Therapy and specializes in working with children with Sensory Integrative Dysfunction. She has worked privately in the clinical setting as well as in both public and private academic settings for over six years. Shelley has also developed and led social skills training groups, and has worked with an adaptive PE program and sports league for over four years. She has been a guest speaker at many educational seminars, conferences and schools.

Through her work with children in each of these settings, Shelley has seen how sensory and regulation issues impact function, behavior and learning. Shelley was drawn to the Hirsch Academy because the school shares her belief that a child needs to be ‘available’ for learning before it can begin. Shelley is excited to be working with the Hirsch Academy where she is able to collaborate with teachers and families in designing the right program for each child that provides the needed neurological supports for better regulation and sensory processing abilities, and increased self-confidence. Shelley believes every child’s academic experience should be fun and should inspire each child to reach his or her fullest potential!

Armann has extensive experience developing and implementing recreational therapy programs for children with a variety of developmental needs. He is one of the founders of Learning on the Log, and the co-creator of the sensory-based recreational and social skills programs for the Lionheart School. Armann’s experience includes developing and implementing recreational programs for children at the YMCA and working with children in a group residential setting. He has also coached youth and college team sports. He holds a B.A. in Psychology and Business Administration.

Armann is very excited to be developing and implementing a recreation program for the Hirsch Academy that fosters peer interaction and team building in the context of fun, sensory-based activities.

Tara has a B.S. from Springfield College.  She has been in the field of education for the past thirteen years serving as teacher as well as athletic coach.  For the past seven years she served as an assistant then Lead Elementary Teacher in a Montessori school teaching children aged six to twelve years.   Prior to that, she taught behavioral and emotionally handicapped children for three years.  Her personal philosophy of education is based on a child-centered learning environment where the student takes a central role in the acquisition of their skills.  It is the role of the teacher to offer students a safe place in which to realize their full potential socially, emotionally, and academically.

Tara is excited about teaching and being part of Hirsch Academy.  It is wonderful to be part of an organization that encourages collaboration and respect for each child and their needs.

Corey KD Milam has a BFA in Drama from New York University. Her teachers included William H. Macy among other talented individuals. During her time at the university she also took classes in how to use drama as an educational tool for elementary-aged children. She has continued to use her skills by teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School to a wide range of children.

She became interested in the D.I.R.-Floortime approach to education when she volunteered at Hirsch in the spring of 2006. She proceeded to attend and complete the D.I.R.-Floortime Program sponsored by Kathleen A. Platzman.

"Every child is a gift and should be given every opportunity to experience and enjoy life. I hope that with my drama, patience and silliness I can engage the children in a way that will make them want to come out and play."

Jessica Sibley recently graduated from Georgia State with a B.S. in Psychology. She has worked with Christy Kennedy and Clay White for two summers at their summer camp program for children diagnosed primarily with sensory integration disorder. She is also trained in Floortime, and naturally incorporates this approach in her everyday work with children at  the Hirsch Academy.  Jessica is enthusiastic about working at the Hirsch Academy because of its ability to approach each child at their own developmental level and enable them reach for the next developmental level. She is eager to get in the classroom and use both Floortime and sensory-based techniques to relate to and enhance each child’s esteem and ability.

Julie Siler is a graduate of the Georgia State University Master’s Program in Communication Disorders.  She completed her graduate training program at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Wesley Woods Geriatric Hospital, and a Dekalb County Elementary School.  For three years, she worked for Gwinnett County Public Schools and Brand Speech Pathology, Inc. serving various special needs populations.  For two years, Julie treated clients at Radiance Pediatric Therapy Services, Inc. in the Marcus Institute.  There, she worked closely with occupational and physical therapists, social workers, and physicians.

Julie was drawn to the Hirsch Academy when she learned of its team approach, sensory “engine” rooms, and small class size.  She has found an extremely warm and nurturing environment where she can serve students both inside and outside of the classroom.  In addition to working part-time at the Hirsch Academy, Julie serves private clients through her company, Siler Speech Pathology.  Ms. Siler has received extensive training in the areas of Autism Spectrum Disorders, Speech Sound Disorders, Fluency Disorders, and Language Development.  Julie is the proud mother of two girls, Katie and Caroline.  She lives with her husband and daughters in Kirkwood.

Chris has been involved in therapeutic educational and recreational programs for children for thirteen years. He is one of the founders of Learning on the Log, a recreational and social skills program that provides sensory based activities and Floortime exercises for children with special needs. He has also created and implemented recreational and social skills programs for the Lionheart School. Chris’ experience includes serving as the Program Coordinator for the Pre-K Classroom at Emory University’s Walden Early Childhood Programs. He has worked for the Emory Autism Resource Center, Speech Pathology Services, Inc. and has served as the program coordinator for a therapeutic preschool and summer camp.

Chris is excited to be working with the Hirsch Academy because he shares the belief that each child’s individual learning style and sensory diet must be respected and honored. He is thrilled to be affiliated with an organization that supports and encourages his passion for helping children develop social and emotional skills through sensory-based recreational activities.