2025
Sustaining Intentional Connections
Jekyll Island Convention Center
Jekyll Island, GA
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The Culture of Empowerment Conference is thrilled and honored to announce the participation of our five exceptional keynote speakers. These renowned individuals have demonstrated a deep understanding of empowerment and possess invaluable insights into fostering a culture of empowerment in various fields. Their expertise and experiences promise to inspire, motivate, and equip conference attendees with practical knowledge and strategies for cultivating empowering environments.
We would like to express our utmost gratitude to all the conference presenters who have contributed to our events over the years. Your willingness to share your expertise, insights, and experiences with our attendees has greatly enriched the learning experience and helped them to achieve their professional goals. We understand that presenting at a conference requires a significant investment of time, effort, and resources, and we are deeply thankful for your commitment to advancing the industry. Your passion, dedication, and willingness to give back to the community inspire us to continue creating meaningful and engaging learning opportunities. Once again, thank you for your invaluable contribution to our conferences.
Ashley Baer is an educator and healer with a degree in Sociology and a Master’s Degree in Education. She has been a full-time Special Education teacher for almost two decades. Currently, she is in the role of Facilitator of Mindfulness Instruction in Student Supports where she teaches mindfulness, meditation, and movement to both staff and students, and trains teachers how to use mindfulness as SEL and attention building across all curriculums. Prior to this role, she conducted a two-year Mindfulness Pilot Program in a public school system in partnership with the School of Public Health, at Georgia State University. In addition to certifications in Mindfulness and Meditation, Ashley is a 500 RYT, a Health & Wellness Coach, and is currently teaching meditation on the app Insight Timer. Follow this link to her meditations and visit her website www.mindfulnesswithashley.com. Hear more of her personal journey HERE
How does a mediocre student become a gifted teacher? Whether it was the 7 years it took Mitch to graduate from college or the ultramarathons he runs regularly, Mitch found success via his strong mindset and predictable routines. And it just so happens that highly successful teachers build their classrooms the same way. When students learn to develop their executive function skills and teachers establish predictable learning routines, student success soars. This is the foundation for the Organized Binder program, the focus of Mitch’s upcoming book, and the secret of every successful classroom.
Lemuel “Life” LaRoche is the founder and executive director of Chess and Community, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to developing young leaders and critical thinkers in Northeast Georgia. Known in the communities that he serves as Life, he fuses chess with conventional therapeutic methods to curb impulsive behavior amongst youth with delinquent pasts. With over two decades of experience in adolescent, family and community development, Life and brings a fresh innovative approach to his work. He is the subject of Life the Griot (2014), a documentary highlighting the work that he has accomplished in Athens, Georgia, and the surrounding areas.
Moshe Fried, LCSW is the co-founder and CEO of ClasStars. For nearly two decades, Moshe has helped hundreds of kids and their parents work with their teachers to achieve highly effective outcomes. He has done this both in the school setting, and through his private practice. At the start of his career, Moshe realized that teachers were overburdened, and aside from burning out even the most dedicated teachers, students were being overlooked, and slipping through the cracks of the system. One of his primary goals is to help teachers “notice” every child in a positive way, and establish good relationships with their students. Drawing from research, experience, and common sense, that kids need a lot of encouragement, and that very often the students who need the encouragement the most, get it the least, Moshe was inspired to develop ClasStars, a tablet app that teachers have called a game-changer in classroom learning. The journey included collaborating with hundreds of educators across the globe for a decade, and in 2021 Moshe received the Top 100 Visionaries in Education award at the GFEL conference in Las Vegas, NV, for his outstanding vision and leadership. He is also the host of the ClasStars Podcast. When Moshe is not working on ClasStars, he is working with families through his private practice, or spending time with his wife and children in Brooklyn, NY. He loves giving them a good time.
As the CEO of My Local Expert LLC, Sammy leads multiple departments that provide service to the consumer and businesses in online advertising, drone photography, custom printing, and home renovation assistance.
As the CEO of ImpactXR Academy, a nonprofit organization, Sammy provides VR instructor training and instruction to students within an immersive virtual environment. Courses include STEM education and multi-family industry.
Prior to becoming a full time CEO, Sammy spent 25+ years in the multi-family industry where he began his career managing on-site. His primary goal was to efficiently maintain the operation of multimillion-dollar assets where he exceeded the expected financial return for its investors. This ultimately created a pathway to a corporate role where he presented the company with a vison of implementing more technological advancements that included training employees in a fully immersive Virtual Reality environment using VR hardware. The project was approved and Sammy traveled throughout the country training employees within the VR environment. Employee retention and staff confidence increased throughout the company and country.
Sammy is a Certified Metaverse Educator, Meta Developer, Published Author of “Growing From Zero To Hero”, Commercial Drone Pilot, Graphic Designer, and a VR Content Creator.
Dr. Silver started her education career as a high school science teacher in rural, eastern North Carolina. She went on to serve in the Curriculum and Instruction division at North Carolina Virtual Public School, which is the 2nd largest state virtual school in the country. Her leadership across this organization focused on digital teaching and learning. Dr. Silver later served as Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Chief Technology Officer, Chief Academic Officer, and Superintendent where she led the schools to high student growth every year. She now serves as an Education Advisor for Panorama.
Corey Goble is a 24 year Law Enforcement veteran. He has worked in K-12 education for the last 13 years. He is a School Safety SME and a contract analyst for Safe Havens International. He co-authored “Seven Important Building Design Features to Enhance School Safety and Security” for the Indiana DOE
Jason Pinkney was born and raised in Miami, FL. He attended Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA where he received a Bachelor of Arts. He has a Master of Science from Ft. Valley State University and a Specialist Degree in Education from Georgia State College & University. He is married with 2 kids.
Officer Brandon Bird of the Jenks Public Schools Police Department is the 2021-22 District Classified Employee of the Year! After serving with the Fort Smith, Arkansas Police Department for 17 years, Officer Bird arrived at JPS in 2019. The investment he makes into the lives of students has helped him build trust and earn the respect of his colleagues and peers across the District. Officer Bird visits multiple sites every day and says the best part of his job is connecting with students.
“I may be the only positive interaction a student has with an adult on any given day and it’s important to me to show these kids how much I care.”
Dr. Amanda Williams-Gorham has 20 years of experience in K-12 Title I public education. She has served as a director, principal, assistant principal, counselor, teacher, and coach. She has a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, M.S. in Guidance and Counseling, and a B.S. in Middle Grades Education.
Lindsey Simpson, MS, CPS, holds a Master of Science degree from Brenau University and is a Certified Preventionist through the Prevention Credentialing Consortium of Georgia. Lindsey is a certified Youth, Teen and Adult Mental Health First Aid Instructor as well as a Sources of Strength Trainer.
Ashton McGuire is an Outreach Partner at Panorama Education. She currently supports large districts in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, New Jersey and New York. Ashton has her Bachelors and Master’s degrees in Education and spent ten years working in middle and high schools. Ashton came to Panorama to continue supporting student outcomes, elevate student voice, and strengthen the district’s multi-tiered systems of support.
Nicole Cain, MSW, Manager of School Social Work and Community Services for Milwaukee Public Schools, coordinates the delivery of social work services, the School Community Partnership for Mental Health (SCPMH), McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Program, ESSA Out of Home Care, Pregnant and Parenting Youth Program, Violence Prevention Program, and Home and Hospital services for the largest urban school district within the state of Wisconsin.
Liliana L. Salazar is the National Director of Special Education and Student Support for Academica. Academica is the nation’s largest Educational Service Provider for charter schools supporting 210 schools in 10 different states. She was formerly the District Director of Exceptional Student Education for the Miami-Dade County Public Schools System (M-DCPS), the fourth largest school system in the nation. Liliana has worked in the field of education for over thirty years, in the capacities of teacher, assistant principal, principal and district administration. She has presented at several state and national conferences and has co-authored articles published in a variety of educational journals. She also hosts a monthly podcast titled “Teach The Way You Learn” where she discusses teaching strategies and how they can be the most effective in reaching all groups of students. She received her Bachelor’s of Science in Exceptional Student Education from Nova Southeastern University, her first Master’s of Science in Special Education from Florida International University, her second Master’s of Science in Education from the University of Miami, and her Educational Specialist degree in PreKindergarten/Primary Education from Nova Southeastern University. She is currently working on her Doctor of Education in Leadership and Innovation – Administration from St. Thomas University.
Anthony Chiles currently serves as Principal at Waynesboro Primary in the Burke County Public School System Waynesboro, GA. He began his career teaching music education for six years before moving into administration. Now in his 19th year in education, Mr. Chiles has worked at the elementary, middle, and high school levels of administration, including being an assistant principal and principal. Since 2010, Mr. Chiles has supported schools through professional learning in classroom management, school improvement initiatives, and building culture through collaborative decision making. Mr. Chiles additionally is a Lead Evaluator for Cognia, the global leader in educational institutions and systems accreditation. He additionally serves on the Georgia state council for Beta Club. Mr. Chiles has his Bachelor of Music Education from Berry College, Masters and Specialist in Educational Leadership from Georgia College and State University, and a STEAM endorsement from Augusta University.
I am a Nationally Certified School Psychologist, & district administrator. Former Assistant Principal, School Principal and Learning Behavior Specialist prior to my role in Sarasota, FL. I was an IL School Psych Association nominee-Practitioner of the Year. Presented nationally at NASP and APBS.
JASMINE PRICE, LCPC, LPC received a B.A. in Psychology from North Carolina A&T State University and a M.A. in Forensic Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Jasmine is passionate about helping BIPOC heal from trauma so they can lead their best lives possible.
Mary Catherine has worn many hats including almost a decade supporting children in Georgia’s foster care system. She serves her school district as a Trauma Informed Specialist. She practices as a therapist and is an adult educator and Trauma Conscious Yoga Instructor.
Jyl Ellmaker has been a school social worker in Milwaukee for over 20 years. In 2021 she began her new role as a coordinator of the SCPMH program in Milwaukee Public schools where she supports 40 schools and 6 community agencies in providing mental health services directly in the school setting.
Her professional career began over 20 years ago as an out-patient therapist with the goal of helping children and adolescents heal from the pain and trauma they had endured. This led to work with different genres of populations with various agencies and organizations. She witnessed and felt the overarching need and cry for healing. People of all ages and ethnicities all wanted 1 thing – to be happy.
Abena’s focus is to help people to heal. Understanding healing occurs on all levels, She has dedicated herself to being a vessel for people to heal mentally, emotionally, physically and financially. Whether it was through her vegan catering company, the books she’s written, being a doula, serving as a financial fitness advisor or a licensed clinical social worker, Abena’s purpose is to help folks recognize they have the power within themselves to heal.
Her calling is to help heal the minds and souls of people so that they can manifest their greater and higher selves. We all want to be healed and happy. Sometimes we just need a little help getting there.
For over 10 years I worked in surgery as a First Assistant to a General Trauma Surgeon. After completing my Business degree I left the healthcare industry for 11 years to work in Banking in operations. The past 2 years I have been the Director of Business and PIO for a Critical Access Hospital.
Elesha L. Scott is an enthusiastic edu-preneur committed to helping districts and churches design and implement effective curriculum and instruction. She is a former high school math teacher, content lead, and lifelong collaborator. She is also the CEO of Don’t Lose Yourself, the premier organization fostering multigenerational, multiethnic self-worth through inspiring identity, purpose, unity, and service. Mrs. Scott is a speaker, coach, consultant, and curriculum designer.
Adam Corbitt has worked in education 2O years. He landed in education after helping his dad navigate the IEP process for his 7 adopted siblings. When he began work as a special education teacher in a self contained EBD room, he realized our systems and practices were not student centered. He transitioned to elementary school and realized, regardless of the labels, we were not meeting the needs of students and families. He left the classroom as the liaison for Mental Health & Trauma. That’s when he really studied what therapy in schools looks like. Now, as a coordinator he leads that work. His wife and two daughters are a blessing, and they are integral to his understanding of his work.
Caron Hope’s experience spans the last two decades serving predominantly in the local community service board as a licensed professional counselor and as program manager for inpatient treatment. Caron served as assistant director to the University of Georgia’s Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention Program for over five years before moving to k12 to serve as Clarke County Schools Trauma Informed Specialist.
Tonya is passionate about using dimensions of wellness to reimagine life. Her experiences range from Director of Gifted/ESOL to School Improvement Coordinator. Dr. Coons is a graduate of Mercer University and author of The Vision Challenge: A Step by Step Vision Board Guide for Youth & Young Adults.
I’m a Christian, a husband and a father. I have been a registered nurse for almost 9 years and have worked for Gateway as a psychiatric RN for over 6 years. My family and I love to do local and international mission work and also enjoy traveling in our 40 foot home on wheels, Sally Solitude.
Katise Taylor has over 20 years of educational experience with 15 years in educational leadership. She has an unwavering commitment to foster academic and behavioral growth, promote high quality collaboration and drive positive change. Ms. Taylor has consistently demonstrated a remarkable ability to sustain a positive school culture that transforms the learning and work environment for both students and teachers. Her goal is to spark in educators and leaders a catalyst to embrace change and embrace new horizons in the pursuit of academic and behavioral excellence.
Dr. Robert Stewart has 30 years of mental health training through in-patient dual diagnosis, law enforcement, college professor, and currently as a public middle school teacher/behavior coach. Dr. Stewart’s vision is inclusive and equity-based – with pillars that stem from accountability, understanding learning/teaching styles, and positive support. Dr. Stewart’s teachings drive self-recognition that we are all Kings and Queens.
PUBLICATIONS
Dr. Angie Delaney has worked in the field of Special Education for 26 years. While her passion is facilitating educators and parents in meeting the needs of students with disabilities; she loves the challenges of all things behavior in children and adults. Dr. Delaney presently assists the Director of Exceptional Education in Dawson County Schools.
Christine Pittman is from Orange County Florida where she began her teaching career working with students with special needs. She has experience with providing the continuum of services, all the way from self-contained to full inclusion. In Orange County, she led her special education department as a Compliance Specialist and provided training and support to general education teachers, special education teachers, paraprofessionals and related service members. Trading the beach for the mountains, Christine has taken her skills to Dawson County Schools where she is the Early Childhood Facilitator.
Mike Baker is an experienced special education teacher; lead teacher; behavior specialist; coordinator for student services. He works in Pickens County Schools in Jasper, Georgia.
Leslie Burnett, Director of Special Services, Pryor, OK for 9 years. Dog lover extraordinaire forever. Through my experiences working with children with special needs, it became increasingly apparent that most children love dogs and most dogs love children. The combination seemed natural.
Chris graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a BS in Psychology and a Masters in Social Work. He received his License in Clinical Social Work in 2014 and is a board approved clinical supervisor. He is currently the Mental Health Coordinator for Pryor Public Schools in Pryor, Oklahoma. Chris worked in the private mental health field for 15 years prior to joining Pryor Public Schools. Chris enjoys being with his wife and two children, coaching little league baseball, camping and just being active. You might also expect to find Chris cheering on his beloved Oklahoma Sooners!
I am a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Certified School Guidance Counselor. I have worked for the past 23 years with various populations of students and families, and across many settings. I am passionate about blending ABA with mental health supports.
Hi! I am Lisa Wootten, I am a Georgia native and live with my husband and three fur babies now that our youngest daughter started college at UGA. I have been a teacher for the last fifteen years both in private and public settings serving students from Pre-K through high school. The majority of my teaching experience has taken place in autism classrooms. I hold a dual certification and have an Ed.S. in Special Education, Autism Endorsement, and completed the additional coursework and hours required to sit for the BCBA exam and am in the process of prepping for that endeavor. We look forward to sharing this training with you and engaging in collaborative conversations!
Title: Unlocking Success for Generation Alpha Students
Description: It’s not you! These kids really are DIFFERENT. Join us for an enlightening session where we learn more about our kids born 2010-2025- the very unique “Generation Alpha”.
Participants will
Heysha Rodriguez is a Behavior Interventionist, originally from Puerto Rico, and has been in Georgia for 12 years. With a Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Puerto Rico and a Master’s in Educational Psychology from the University of Alabama, Heysha has gained vast amounts of experience working with diverse populations inside and outside the academic setting. More importantly, Heysha has had over eight years of hands-on experience in educational settings working in multiple Georgia school districts. Within this role, she helped create a positive school environment for students and staff through the management of PBIS programs that earned a distinguished rating for several consecutive years, successfully implemented positive behavioral interventions, and effectively trained personnel to implement these. Additionally, Heysha has created successful programs for behavior management and social skills that use research-based interventions and supports. Her knowledge of Functional Behavior Assessments and Behavior Intervention Plans has assisted in increasing school-wide appropriate behaviors.
Heysha is passionate about working with cultural minorities. Being a cultural and racial minority has allowed her to understand and help culturally diverse students in the academic environment, school administration, and their parents. Outside of work, Heysha loves experiencing nature. She is an avid trail runner and hiker and enjoys rock climbing and camping. Her husband and Dobermann, named Jäger, often accompany her on these adventures.
I have worked with children and adolescents identified as having severe emotional and behavior disorders since beginning my career in 1995 at Hillside Hospital. It was here, as a Behavior Specialist, that I met and worked alongside Marshall Siler, the creator of the Mindset Curriculum. In 2001, I moved into the public-school setting as a special education teacher in a program serving only students with severe emotional/behavior disorders and autism in Henry County, Georgia. During my 21 years with this program, I have served as Instructional Lead Teacher, Crisis Interventionist, Behavior Specialist but always as a Mindset Trainer. The more I got to know my students and their vast array of behaviors, the more interested I became in childhood trauma and the impact it has on learning and the brain. Drawing from personal, professional, and educational experiences with childhood trauma, I developed a training to help our program better understand and serve our students. As my passion for this subject grew, I realized the knowledge I had gained about childhood trauma and resilience had too many implications for the way we teach, serve and parent our children not to share with as many people as possible.
In 2016, I became a Certified Trauma Practitioner and Trainer for the National Institute of Trauma and Loss in Children (TLC) and founded K. Hodges Consulting, LLC with the hopes of spreading the word on childhood trauma and resilience to all who would listen. My dog Skillet and I also passed our exam with Therapy Dogs International, and I introduced him to the students as our first Program Therapy Dog. Today, Skillet and I continue to work part-time as a Behavior Specialist team for the program in Henry County while also educating others throughout the state and country on childhood trauma and resilience and serving as a Mindset Master Trainer. I am constantly seeking to further my knowledge in trauma and resilience practices and most recently have become a trainer of Dr. Bruce Perry’s Neurosequential Model in Education. The more tools you have in your toolbox, the more individualized supports you can provide. I love that Mindset was one of the first tools I honed when I began my journey and only serves to enhance all the other tools I’ve acquired along the way.
Throughout my career in education, I have worked as both a building level and district level administrator. Within these roles, many years of my work focused on classroom management and behavior interventions. I earned my Educational Specialist degree through Georgia Southern University. Currently I provide district and organizational level consulting and training in various content including: Mindset, Restorative Practices, PBIS, Trauma-Informed Care and Behavior Management.
Raised in Johannesburg, South Africa and holding a Masters Degree in Special Education, Jackie Holland brings a wealth of versatile experience in special education to her clients. She brings a unique perspective with an ability to connect resources to individuals and families in need of behavioral support. Jackie’s passion for this work was inspired by someone very close to her as she lived the struggle that so many families face when it comes to seeking and finding guidance. Jackie has worked as a paraprofessional, teacher, special education administrator, and behavior specialist for a diverse Title I district.
Jackie provides district level training in the MindSet Safety Management Curriculum, Circle of Security (Parent Coaching), PBIS, Trauma Informed Practices and Care, Tier 1 Classroom Supports, Coaching Cycles with an emphasis on collaborative teaching best practices, Restorative Practices, Data Collection, and Behavior Intervention Plan development based on the needs of the individual. She currently resides in Watkinsville, GA with her husband and son.
Having always been drawn to helping individuals, I decided to gain my Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Purdue University and my Master of Education degree, specializing in behavior and learning disabilities, from Georgia State University. I have had the opportunity to work in residential facilities, trauma intervention programs, special needs classrooms, schools which are part of the Georgia Network for Educational and Therapeutic Support (GNETS) and work my way to the district level in Henry County, Georgia as an Intervention Support Teacher where I became a MindSet Master Trainer. Through conversations with individuals who work in the behavioral field and hearing about the need for extra assistance in school districts and agencies, I developed Southeast Behavior Supports, LLC. which provides such assistance to those in need. Most recently, I have taken on the role of Consulting Operations Manger for MindSet where I run the consulting branch. 
With a background in special education and degrees from the University of Georgia, David delivers the MindSet Safety Management Curriculum in order to certify trainers in districts across the nation. In addition, he provides district and organizational level consulting and training in various content including: Behavior Management, Collaborative Teaching, Data Analysis, Restorative Practices, PBIS, Trauma-Informed Care, and Tier I Teacher Coaching.
David’s most recent role as Coordinator of Behavior Supports for a diverse Title I school district adds to experience in leadership and teaching roles across various settings and specialized programs within public schools. He’s also worked in emergency shelters, therapeutic residential settings, and a school which is part of the Georgia Network for Educational and Therapeutic Support (GNETS).
David is married to Kathryn, an inspirational educator in her own right. They have four children and reside in Athens, GA. 
I hereby acknowledge that the materials owned by Intervention Support Services, LLC, a Georgia limited liability company doing business as Mindset Safety Management and MindSet Instructor Training, are the property of Intervention Support Service, LLC, and are proprietary in nature. These materials are to be used solely and exclusively by MindSet Trainers and those they train within their own organization. In addition, materials are only to be used in accordance with the MindSet Tenets and Guiding Principles in creating a culture of prevention. Using MindSet to support, market, or advertise other products and services is only allowed with expressed written consent. Furthermore, As certified instructors of the MindSet Curriculum, I acknowledge I am authorized to train individuals only within the organization with which I was employed upon time of training.
I hereby acknowledge my awareness that my participation in one or more Mindset Safety Management training sessions may expose me to risk of personal injury. I acknowledge that Mindset Safety Management training involves physical activity and therefore there is risk that I may be injured as a result of my participation in such training.
For the sole consideration of Intervention Support Services, LLC, a Georgia limited liability company doing business as Mindset Safety Management providing such training, I hereby release, forever discharge AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE Intervention Support Services, LLC and its members, directors, officers, consultants, agents and employees (COLLECTIVELY HEREIN REFERRED TO AS “RELEASEES”) from any and all LIABILITY, CLAIMS, DEMANDS, ACTIONS AND CAUSES OF ACTION OF WHATEVER KIND ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO ANY LOSS, DAMAGE, COST (INCLUDING MEDICAL COSTS) OR EXPENSE OF ANY PERSONAL INJURY (INCLUDING DEATH) SUSTAINED BY ME, OR TO ANY PROPERTY BELONGING TO ME, WHETHER CAUSED BY THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES OR OTHERWISE, RESULTING FROM OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH MY PARTICIPATION IN THE TRAINING.
I certify that I am at least eighteen years of age, THAT I INTEND FOR THIS RELEASE, WAIVER OF LIABILITY AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE TO BIND THE MEMBERS OF MY FAMILY AND SPOUSE (IF ANY), IF I AM ALIVE, AND MY HEIRS, ASSIGNS AND PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE, IF I AM NOT ALIVE, and that I have read and understand the above. I further agree that this Release, Waiver of Liability and Assumption of Risk shall be governed by the laws of the State of Georgia.
Jimmy began working in the field of mental health and substance use over 20 years ago. He has always had a passion for working with people in reaching their goals and potential. His career has consisted of being involved in serving individuals in community mental health and staff development. Earning a degree in Criminal Justice from East Carolina University, he began his career as a counselor working for the Division of Youth Service (DYS). In this role he worked as a counselor for adolescents in the NC juvenile detention centers. While there, he became certified as a NC criminal justice instructor. Jimmy provided training for the detention center and training school staff. His training areas were suicide wareness/prevention, documentation and crisis management. Making a decision to transition into working in the NC community mental health and substance system, Jimmy returned to East Carolina to earn a degree in Social Work. Jimmy has held both clinical and administrative positions in outpatient treatment, community based services, school settings and 24-hour residential programs. Since 2014, Jimmy has served as the Director of Training and Staff Development for PORT Health Services. In 2022, he began a new role as Director of Behavioral Health Care Management while continuing to be involved in staff training. Jimmy has been involved with Mindset Safety Management for over 5 years as an instructor. For the past 3 years, he has brought his experience with training, staff development, program development and behavioral health to his role as an instructor trainer for Mindset Safety Management.
With a background in special education and degrees from the University of Georgia, David delivers the MindSet Safety Management Curriculum in order to certify trainers in districts across the nation. In addition, he provides district and organizational level consulting and training in various content including: Behavior Management, Collaborative Teaching, Data Analysis, Restorative Practices, PBIS, Trauma-Informed Care, and Tier I Teacher Coaching.
David’s most recent role as Coordinator of Behavior Supports for a diverse Title I school district adds to experience in leadership and teaching roles across various settings and specialized programs within public schools. He’s also worked in emergency shelters, therapeutic residential settings, and a school which is part of the Georgia Network for Educational and Therapeutic Support (GNETS).
David is married to Kathryn, an inspirational educator in her own right. They have four children and reside in Athens, GA.