Jessica Owens
Head of School
Dr. Owens has over fifteen years of experience as a speech and language pathologist. She holds a clinical specialty in autism spectrum disorder and is a certified youth mental health specialist. Dr. Owens has worked in private day and residential schools for individuals with autism for the past twelve years. Her doctoral work focused on successful postsecondary transition for individuals with autism. She lives in Greensboro with her family. Her autistic son attends Lionheart.
Sandy Eaton
Director of Business and Finance
Daisha Brown
Dean of Behavioral Sciences
Daisha Brown is a Registered Behavior Technician. She brings a wealth of experience with Autism, including, working for a psychologist, running her own small business, and providing individualized instruction to children with behavioral and learning needs. She is currently pursuing a BCBA and is loving every minute of her learning experience in working with students on the spectrum. Daisha hails from Brooklyn, NY, and has family in both NY and NC. She loves both the lifestyle of the country and the city.
September Ward
Division Head – Academics / MS Teacher
I am originally from the small town of Roaring River, which is near North Wilkesboro in the North Carolina Foothills. I moved to Greensboro to pursue an education in Chemical Research, but ultimately fell in love with teaching and the Autism community. I completed my undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. I began teaching as a special educator with Guilford County Schools in 2013. In 2018, I was hired on at Lionheart Academy and I have loved every minute of my day teaching at this school. I am very close with my family and travel back home to see them every almost every Sunday. I am currently engaged and looking forward to married life with Josh Haley. The only children I have are the ones in my classroom and I am so grateful that their parents have shared them with me. I am blessed to be part of the Lionheart family.
Ragina Martin
Division Head – Special Programs
I am from a small town called Goldston NC where my family has lived for more than 5 generations. I am the youngest of 4 children, I have 1 brother and two sisters and I currently have 5 nieces. I love children and I usually have some with me in my free time between my nieces, god children and cousins.
Sarah Carlton
Academic Interventionist
Born and raised in Greensboro, NC. One Catahoula Leopard dog named Russ (four legged son)
4 years at Lionheart Academy as a TA and Habilitation Technician, 3 years at Triad Coordinated Services as a Habilitation Technician, 3 years of Autism Society of NC as a Habilitation Technician and aftercare specialist.
Eager to get to to know all the new students and staff and work together to make Lionheart better than ever.
Whitney Shields
Compliance and Recruitment Specialist
I am originally from Danville, VA but currently reside in Newport, NC on the Crystal Coast of North Carolina. While I enjoy working remotely, I am fond of baking, reading, boating, and spending time with my daughter and husband. We have a mini golden doodle named Kobe who has stolen our hearts!
Gina Peloquin
Bookkeeper
Laura Pearman
Office Assistant
I moved to North Carolina when I was in Kindergarten. My husband, Greg, and I have two children, Jackson (16) and Matthew (14). I love to read, watch movies with my family, play card/board games and watch baseball!
I was a Stay at home mom for 16 years, homeschooling Matthew for six years of that. I also worked our family law office and United Guaranty, a mortgage Insurance company before becoming a stay at home mom.
Khi McFadden
Aftercare Specialist
Kendra Winston
1:1
I’m a Greensboro native, I have one dog: Gemini, a mixed breed of doxy and chihuahua. I’m an aspiring voice actor.
I’m new here at Lionheart Academy, so I’m learning about everyone around me including both staff and students, since we are here for most of the day.
Abygail Valenti
Custodial Staff
Middle School
September Ward
I am originally from the small town of Roaring River, which is near North Wilkesboro in the North Carolina Foothills. I moved to Greensboro to pursue an education in Chemical Research, but ultimately fell in love with teaching and the Autism community. I completed my undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. I began teaching as a special educator with Guilford County Schools in 2013. In 2018, I was hired on at Lionheart Academy and I have loved every minute of my day teaching at this school. I am very close with my family and travel back home to see them every almost every Sunday. I am currently engaged and looking forward to married life with Josh Haley. The only children I have are the ones in my classroom and I am so grateful that their parents have shared them with me. I am blessed to be part of the Lionheart family.
Ms. Mary Ellen Suggs
Ms. Kostedt
Mr. Askew
Born and raised in Greensboro NC. Immediate family lives in Greensboro and Burlington.
I am excited to meet students and see them learn.
High School
ELA
Mrs. Butwinski
I have lived in the Triad area for most of my life. I am married to my husband, Matthew and have a son, Sebastian who is a rising Junior at UNC Greensboro. In my free time, I enjoy working in my yard, playing with my 2 dogs, getting lost in a Netflix movie or series, and gathering with friends and family for good food, laughter, and conversation. I also enjoy being crafty and finding creative and inexpensive ways to renovate and decorate our 100-old-home.
Ms. Starling
I was born and raised in Greensboro and I love the area! I am the oldest of 3- I have a sister named Tener and a brother named Will. My sister moved back to Greensboro this past year and it has been a blast getting to live with her again as an adult! We have a 15 year old Jack Russell Terrier named Cammie who is just as spunky as she was the day we brought her home. She loves to go on walks and get Pup Cups from Starbucks! In my free-time I enjoy working out, reading, being outside and spending time with my friends and family.
Math
Mrs. Adams
I am from Cape Carteret, a small coastal town located at the foot of the Emerald Isle bridge in Carteret County. I have two daughters, Madeline (18) and Marley (14). We have a golden retriever mix, named Beau. Both my parents were born and raised in Forsyth County.
Ms. Torres
Science / Social Studies
Dr. Koch
I grew up in Amarillo, Texas. I then moved to Seguin, TX for college and Houston, TX for graduate school. I met my husband, Nick, in graduate school. I followed him to his first job in South Carolina and 12 years later to his second job in Greensboro. We have two children, Amber (14) and Nolan (10) who will both be attending Lionheart in the fall. We also have two cats!
Most recently, I have been doing informal science education at the Greensboro Science Center, but I have also been a substitute teacher and worked in a research lab.
Ms. Cameron
I am from Siler City, North Carolina. I have two brothers and a black lab named penny. I grew up on a farm but I prefer the city life. I love traveling and doing outdoorsy things and my biggest passion is the gym.
I am excited to build relationships with staff and students. I have never worked with high school so I am excited to see the differences and similarities.
OCS
Ms. Amanda Johnson
Mr. Jones
I’m originally from Kinston, NC. I have been living in the Triad area for the last 11 years. I’m married and I have 2 sons. I am a Navy veteran and was stationed in Iraq
