Darlene
With over seven years of elementary classroom experience in Fulton and Fayett counties, Darlene Karnis joins us as our hands on science and art teacher. Darlene has an undergradutae and graduate degree in Early Childhood Education. She is InTech certified, has served several years as grade chair, and has developed both curriculum and assessments. Darlene believes in a student centered classroom, a multisensory learning environment, and having fun while learning. Darlene is enthusiastic about adding her teaching experience to The 504 School. She will focus on teaching hands on science and art projects.

Katherine
Katherine is an Atlanta native and graduated with honors from Kennesaw State University in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science in psychology. She came to us from the Atlanta Speech School where she taught in the Kenan Preschool Pre-Kindergarten program. At the Speech School, she enjoyed receiving training in and implementing the Handwriting Without Tears program. Katherine is currently completing an Orton Gillingham Training Program at the Schenk School. She also represented The 504 School at the 2007 CHADD International Conference in D.C., as well as at the International Dyslexia Association - Georgia Branch’s 18th Annual Dimensions of Dyslexia Conference. At The 504 School Katherine specializes in creating an optimum learning environment for our students -- ensuring that we provide solid structure and maximizes the children's opportunities to exert and express their energies. Enlisting the entire staff and implementing tenants of our Behavior Support Plan, Katherine has also put into practice a strong reinforcement program to promote healthy, appropriate behaviors in the classroom. She is presently working on developing a solid social skills curriculum using Elliott and Gresham’s Social Skill Intervention Guide. In addition, Katherine has a 7-year-old daughter with ADHD, and who is also hard of hearing. She is a student here at The 504 School and loves to tell strangers about her “really fun school!”

Jason
Jason is an Atlanta native with a bachelor’s degree in English from Valdosta State University. He came to the 504 School from Fulton County Schools in which he worked as an assistant behavioral therapist in North Metro’s autistic class. He is currently working toward a dual Masters in Fine Arts and Special Education at Georgia State University. When he is not researching, studying and teaching, Jason enjoys photography and music journalism. He also prefers swimming, biking and tennis, as well as walking with his dog, Chloe, around his Cabbagetown neighborhood. Jason brings his enthusiastic approach to behavior development and therapy-based education to us.

Tamara
Tamara is originally from Mississippi. She graduated from Belhaven College in Jackson Mississippi with degrees in Elementary and Special Education. During her teaching career she taught pre-k through 8th grades as well as special education. Her varied teaching experience includes teaching students who had a wide variety of disabilities. Tamara also ran an after school tutoring program at Lynn Oaks School in New Orleans, La. When she is not teaching Tamara enjoys trips to Carrollton, GA to visit family. Her personal accomplishments include raising two nephews; Bill who was accepted into medical school and Timothy who was just offered a scholarship to the SCAD. She currently ejoys her life in Virgina Highlands. Tamara brings her patience and passion for helping students to The 504 School. When Tamara is not teaching at The 504 School, she has a private tutoring service called Tammi’s Tutoring that serves students throughout Intown Atlanta.

Kate
Kate Diehl CMT-BC will be offering Music Therapy services for the students at The 504 School beginning Fall of 2007. She has a bachelor's degree in Social Work with graduate studies and certification in Music Therapy from Immaculata College in Pennsylvania. She recently moved to Georgia June of 2006 leaving a private Music Therapy practice that she serviced for approximately 15 years specializing in group work with children and older adults. Kate's work is based on the strong beliefs in the wholeness and uniqueness of the individual and his/her inherent ability to be musical. She believes creating music together enables individuals to access their strengths, address their weaker skill areas, and experience a sense of belongingness within the group that is both powerful and healing.

Armann
Armann moved to Atlanta and started practicing Floor-time based play in 2000. In addition to be being the co-founder of Learning on the Log, he has provided private play therapy for a number of clients. Armann has been involved in starting and running two metro-Atlanta school programs for children with developmental challenges and has extensive experience in developing and implementing physical and recreational therapy. Prior to moving to Atlanta Armann worked as a residential counselor for abused children and their families in Burlington Vermont . Armann holds a bachelors degree in Psychology and a minor in Business Administration from the University of Vermont . He and his wife met during college and live in north east Atlanta.

Chris
Before co-founding Learning on the Log in the fall of 2000 Chris has been involved in early intervention programs for children with autism and related disabilities since 1992. He served as a classroom coordinator and case manager of the Pre-K classroom at Emory University's Walden Early Childhood Programs. He also served as resource assistant at the Emory Autism Resource Center conducting research, supervising and training support teachers, evaluating children and working on developing language/interaction and increasing social skills. He has worked as a home school instructor and therapist and as an aquatic swimming instructor for children with special needs. He has served as the program coordinator for a therapeutic preschool and summer camp in a private practice setting. Chris is a member of the Editorial Board for Kids Enabled magazine; A Publication for Parents of Children with Learning Differences. Chris lives in Decatur along with his two daughters and his wife.

Colette
Colette McCaine RYT, CRT received her 200 hr. Yoga certification through Lotus Gardens in Sherman , Connecticut. She is also a Registered Yoga Teacher through The Yoga Alliance. Colette has earned other certifications in the field of Wellness such as Reflexology, Reiki and Thai Yoga Body work in New York City . Colette has taught yoga to children at private studios in the New York City and Connecticut area. She has also taught in the Norwalk Public Schools and Norwalk Parks and Recreation Department. Colette is currently dedicating her time to the study of herbal healing and health, with emphasis on Ayuervdic Herbs & Traditional Chinese Medicine.

"I always look forward to sharing the gift of Yoga with children; as a means of freedom for self expression, physical and emotional awareness and awareness of nature and the environment in which they live. Children are our greatest teachers. I find myself ever so lucky to be a part of a child's life especially in this capacity. It is my honor to cultivate their individuality, their wisdom and their truth through the practice of Yoga."


John
John will be teaching karate to the students at The 504 School. He began his Karate training at the age of 9, and was teaching by age 16. His teaching experience ranges from tournament level competition, to general class instruction, to non competitive private lessons with children with cerebral palsy, autism, and a range of learning differences. He holds two black belts in both American and Professional Karate. John graduated from Emory University with a BA in Theater Studies and also holds teaching positions at Emory, The Little Gym of Smyrna, and the Spruill Arts Center for Theater.


Christie
Christie Brogan, M.S., CCC-SLP will be ensuring that the speech and language needs of the students at The 504 School are met in a classroom setting. Christie received a Bachelor’s Degree from The University of Alabama in Communication Disorders in 1987 with a minor concentration in English and Psychology. She completed her Master’s Degree in Speech and Language Pathology in 1988. Christie received her Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech and Hearing Association in 1989. She has worked in private practice and public schools in Alabama, Texas and Georgia, both as a therapist and a consultant. Christie has given in-services to faculty, in-home training to parents, supervised undergraduate students, mentored other professionals and has been a member of many assessment teams for preschool and school aged children. She is a current member of the Georgia Speech and Hearing Association and the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association. She is the proud mother of two elementary school aged sons.

Marcus
Marcus Carter is American Red Cross trained to be a Water Safety Instructor and Lifeguard. He is also trained in CPR and First Aid. He spent years as a Fitness Specialist, Camp Counselor, and Swimming Instructor. Marcus has been teaching individual and group swimming classes to 3 year olds through adults at the Athletic Club Northeast; which is known in Atlanta as a high-tech, cutting-edge fitness and sports club. This year Marcus will bring his incredible patience, kindness and knowledge of physical fitness when he teaches both swimming and rock climbing to the students at The 504 School. In his free time Marcus enjoys swimming, weight lifting, football, baseball, and track. Marcus’ life philosophy is: Life is as simple or complex as you make it be; and you are in control of your destiny.

Kelly
Kelly McCarthy, MS, ATR, LAPC is a practicing art therapist and a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor in the state of Georgia . She has been trained in psychology, counseling, and art and received her Masters of Science from Springfield College in Springfield , Massachusetts in 2005. Kelly has worked for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta on the Comprehensive Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit (CIRU) on the Scottish Rite campus. Kelly also interned with placements that provided services for individuals who were experiencing developmental delays, behavioral and social challenges, and living with mental health challenges and neurological disorders. After earning her degree and returning to Georgia , Kelly accepted positions where she was able to spend time with individuals by making art; through the creative process she has assisted individuals in becoming stronger mentally, physically, socially, and behaviorally. Kelly looks forward to helping the students at The 504 School to experience the amazing process of creating and assisting them in becoming individuals with strong skills and a strong sense of self.

Shahnoor
Shahnoor S. Dharamsi MS, OTR/L is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta where she is responsible for evaluating, planning andexecuting treatment sessions and supervising graduate and undergraduate Occupational therapy students. Additionally, she organizes and manages the Fun and Fitness Summer Camp, and works with Clay White to provide children with sensory activities to enhance daily-living skills. Shahnoor brings over 5 years of experience working with children ranging from birth to 18 with a variety of diagnoses. She holds BS and MS degrees in Occupational Therapy from Brenau University, is a member of the Editorial Board for Kids Enabled magazine, A Publication for Parents of Children with Learning Differences. She is also a member of the Georgia Occupational therapy Association and the American Occupational Therapy Association. Shahnoor will be teaching and training handwriting programs, providing techniques to increase sensory processing in the classroom, and initiating innovative ways to increase social interaction skills for the children.  

Carrie
Carrie Heller, L.C.S.W. is the Founder and Director of the Circus Arts Institute. She holds a Masters degree in Social Work from Tulane and has been a therapist for twenty years. She is also a Professional Trapeze Artist and has twenty five years of experience in the world of circus arts as a teacher, choreographer and performer. Carrie opened Atlanta’s first Circus School in 1988 and founded the popular “Circus Camp” in 1993. Carrie also served as Director of Clinical Services at The Bridge Runaway Shelter in Atlanta. Carrie’s approach comes from years of working with both typical and special needs children; both inside and outside of the therapy room. After assessing a child’s physical capabilities, Carrie designs a series of physical activities using the Circus equipment from each child to work on. Throughout the play experience, she then focuses on increasing the child’s muscle tone, coordination, flexibility and balance as well as attending to the emotional and social aspects of the child’s development as they emerge in the session. Carrie is very excited to teach Circus Arts Therapy to the students at The 504 School.