The Hirsch Academy Founders

Leslie Cotton-Smith

Leslie Cotton-Smith, M.Ed.

Founder
I am the mom of the amazing 6 year old who inspired the creation of Hirsch Academy – And it has been the most enlightening, joyous adventure!!!

I brought to Hirsch a BA in recreation and an MEd in counseling with years of experience in both. But bringing my love, passion, curiosity, respect and an open mind have been even more essential.

As our vision is to create an academic/social atmosphere. Everyone deserves to feel joyful about coming to school. Everyone deserves to feel safe, understood and respected, knowing everyone during the day is presuming that they are competent.

It remains an honor to know these amazing students who really are our teachers in many ways as they lead us all into our future.

Laurie Cotton Smith

Laurie Cotton-Smith, OTR, MSW, MHP

Founder

Laurie Cotton-Smith helped found the Hirsch Academy for her 6-year old son who needed a school that could meet his sensory needs and different learning style. While simultaneously working in her chosen field of Historic Preservation, she took on the financial and HR duties at the school for the first 16 years of Hirsch’s journey! She is presently retired from her preservation job, but continues to work closely with Hirsch staff and other members of the Board of Directors on the business management of the school. Laurie has degrees from Tufts University, New York University and Georgia State University. She enjoys spending time with her family and rowing on the Chattahoochee River.

The Hirsch Academy Staff

Shelley Carnes, MS, OTR/L

Executive Director, Co-Founder

Shelley has over 30 years of experience partnering with the neurodivergent community. She is a licensed Occupational Therapist, an Expert DIR Floortime Provider, and one of the co-founders of The Hirsch Academy. Shelley holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Rehabilitation Science from Auburn University (1996) and a Master’s in Occupational Therapy from Brenau University (2000). She is also one of the I-ASC trainers for the ACTS certification program.

Shelley is a passionate supporter and advocate for the neurodivergent community and is a voracious learner, constantly exploring how to support and empower neurodiversity affirming practices. She promotes international discussion, education, and partnerships between The Hirsch Academy and self-advocates, families, professionals, and educators.

Shelley is also a wife and a mom of two children. She enjoys traveling, exploring outside, dancing and rock climbing any chance she gets. 

Photo of Dee Crowe

Dee Crowe

Director of Operations

Dee Crowe, who is originally from North Carolina, has a Bachelor’s of Science in Business & Accountancy from Wake Forest University. He was a former Managing Director for a PK-12 independent residential school in Scottsdale, AZ before relocating to Decatur, GA to complete his 20+ year career with Cox Enterprises. Dee is a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults) whose parents were both educators at the North Carolina School for the Deaf.  

Susan Lisenby

Academic Director/Communication Specialist/Philosophy Teacher

Susan is a graduate of the University of Georgia (1990), and the Mercer University School of Law (1993). She began her affiliation with The Hirsch Academy in 2013 and has never looked back. Prior to joining Hirsch, Susan obtained a post graduate certification in Dyslexia and Language Based Learning Disabilities as well as an Intermediate Certification in DIR/Floortime. After joining the Hirsch staff as a Lead Teacher in 2016, Susan added the I-ASC (ACTS) Certification for Spelling to Communicate as well as multiple trainings and mentorships in Facilitated Communication and coaching. When she is not interacting with students and their families, Susan loves to be outside! She enjoys hiking, walking, gardening, tennis or golf with friends, playing with her dogs and dancing on the patio with her husband and family.

Elizabeth Keller

Curriculum Coordinator/Math Teacher

Elizabeth was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She graduated from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago with a dual degree in TESOL and Bible Studies and has taught in the USA, China, Mexico, Russia, and Ecuador. She is also certified as a Trauma Informed Specialist. For a total of eleven years, Elizabeth has worked as an EFL teacher, learning support teacher, and core teacher with a variety of different grade levels.

As a late diagnosed autistic who loved learning but ended up falling through the cracks of the school system, Elizabeth deeply understands the importance of tailoring one’s educational approach to each individual student. She is passionate about fostering a love of learning in her students and is known for her creative, out-of-the-box approach to teaching. In her spare time, she enjoys writing and exploring the great outdoors with her dog, Jojo.

Julie Carnes, MA, LPC

Co-Founder/Counselor

Along with being a co-founder of The Hirsch Academy, Julie is a Licensed Professional Counselor working primarily with preschool and elementary aged children and their parents using a DIR/Floortime approach. She offers individual counseling, parent coaching and paired play sessions in her private practice located at Floortime Atlanta. She also does school observations and consultations as well as supervision of beginning professional counselors.

Julie has a Bachelor’s degree from Mercer University in Special Education with a minor in Psychology, Montessori primary certification, and a Master’s in Psychology/Counseling from Goddard College. She was a Montessori teacher for 12 years and the Education Director for 10 years of a Montessori school serving over 300 children from preschool through middle school. Julie has led parenting classes for over 30 years. For the last 20 years, she has been coaching parents in the DIR model and is a member of the national DIR faculty. She has worked in the areas of bereavement in young children, social cognition, and peer mediation. She supports our Hirsch parents and staff on such topics as floortime, understanding learning variations, helping children with emotions and social cognition, and conflict resolution.

Lead Teachers

Natalie brings over 20 years of diverse teaching experience to her dedicated and collaborative approach to education. Embracing her neurodivergent identity with ADHD and Dyslexia, she connects deeply with her students and celebrates their strengths alongside her own. Throughout her career, Natalie has championed inclusive learning environments that honor diverse needs and styles, drawing on her experiences in Montessori, The Howard School, Reggio Emilia, and the Peace Corps.

Her teaching philosophy centers on creativity, collaboration, patience, connection and playfulness. By tailoring her methods to each student’s unique disposition, ability, and interests, she ensures all learners feel valued and supported. Natalie prioritizes the personal welfare of her students, giving generously of her time and care, and creating environments where learning occurs through autonomous action and direct engagement. In her spare time, you can find her in a garden, with her bunnies or with her son traveling and adventuring around the country.  

Stephanie was born and raised in New Jersey and has been living in Georgia since 2016. Her parents immigrated from Ecuador and El Salvador and have been residing in the States since they met. After moving to Atlanta in high school with her family, she received her degree in Modern Languages with a concentration in French and Spanish from Georgia Southern University. She has experience as a facilitator in a variety of school settings providing academic accommodations, regulation, communication support and inclusive opportunities for all age groups. With experience in Floortime Therapy, she is skilled in diverse teaching adaptations, communication supports, regulation techniques and is excited to share her knowledge and overflowing positivity with her students, families and the entire Hirsch team. Stephanie has an abundance of experience working with all age groups, particularly neurodivergent students, but flourishes the most when working with younger children who can appreciate her light heart and warm giggly personality. 

Alaina is from Columbus, Georgia and graduated from Kennesaw State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology. After finishing her studies, she worked in a preschool as an administrator and assistant teacher. Shortly after this she began her journey through the world of behavior therapy, where she discovered a desperate need for greater understanding, acceptance, and affirmation of neurodivergent minds. It was her experience in behavior therapy that inspired Alaina to seek a neurodiversity affirming environment that prioritizes connection over compliance and celebrates uniqueness, which led her to discover The Hirsch Academy.

Alaina’s commitment and dedication to this community is inspired by her high levels of empathy and her own personal experience and identity. She takes pride in advocating for her students, prioritizing connection, and fostering an environment where children feel safe and relaxed to be themselves, explore new ideas, and embrace new experiences. She feels honored to educate such a wonderful group of people. With experience in both educational and therapeutic environments, Alaina has developed a deep passion towards working with neurodivergent children and helping to create a safer and more accepting society for all. In her spare time, she enjoys being active outdoors, learning new things, and live music of any kind.

Christa worked with children at a private school for many years while completing a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Human Service from Clayton State University. After working as a Judge’s Assistant for a couple of years, Christa quickly found her heart being pulled back towards serving those in need. This is when she decided to quit her job working for the government and spent a year working as an Engagement Coordinator at an assisted living center, while obtaining her certification in Yoga Therapy. Christa joined the Hirsch team in 2018 as assistant to the Fitness Specialist, and eventually grew her own program focused on teaching yoga and mindfulness to the students. She has an undeniable calling to work with individuals of all ages, helping and encouraging them in their personal growth! Outside of Hirsch Academy, Christa’s pride and joy is an incredibly joyful and playful German Shepherd named Zuko, who lives to brighten the day of anyone he sees! Taking note from Zuko, Christa’s calling is to help others recognize their inner Light and learn ways to allow this Light to shine bright for all to see!

Therapists & Specialists

David is from São Paulo, Brazil and lived in Mexico before moving to Atlanta in 2011. He earned his degree from Universidade Nove de Julho, in São Paulo, Brazil. David is the founder of Capoeira Passo a Frente, a Brazilian Martial Arts academy in East Atlanta, is a Contra-Mestre and has been training capoeira for 22 years. He brings more than 10 years of teaching and fitness experience to the Hirsch students, with the focus on helping students build endurance, motor control and a love of fitness.

Leigh has been at Hirsch Academy in various roles since 2017. Currently, she serves as both the Reading Specialist and the Art Specialist. She holds a degree in Psychology from Louisiana State University and has dedicated her life to studying human potential. An experienced Orton-Gillingham Reading Instructor and tutor since 2017, Leigh specializes in teaching students with dyslexia and other learning differences.

Since 2022, Leigh has also been teaching Art at The Hirsch Academy.  She loves helping students translate their brilliant ideas onto canvas, paper, and clay while they learn about art and artists from both the past and present.

Kiersten Pierce
Kiersten is a graduate with her Master’s in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling from GA State. Her past experiences include a B.S. in Health Administration from Auburn, and teaching Pre-K at First Baptist Church in Decatur. Kiersten’s passions are to work with children with disabilities and help them to overcome daily challenges. Kiersten is the mother of two children (ages 10 and 12). She has also been the PTA President at Westchester Elementary and PTA Vice-President at Claremont Elementary. Kiersten has been a volunteer, intern, teacher, play specialist, substitute and very active within the Hirsch community. She truly enjoys the joy and purpose she has experienced from each of the Hirsch children and being part of the Hirsch family.

Chris Zelski
Chris has been with Hirsch since it’s founding year in 2004. He takes the students swimming one morning a week at the YMCA and hiking on Fridays. He strives to strengthen each child’s relationship with the world around them, as well as building their physical, social and emotional development and health. He wants Hirsch students to love movement, to feel empowered in their bodies, and more than anything, to have fun with movement! We are grateful to Chris for all that he brings to our students!

Regulation and Academic Assistants

Kennedi is a master at regulating and supporting our students. She intuitively understands what is needed to provide individualized access to classroom activities and is creative in her strategies for adapting the environment, information or the activity to meet the student’s regulation and communication needs. She has also been a nanny with a family that she enjoys traveling with all over the world. Kennedi has a special gift in supporting all of our students and supports multiple functions in a variety of classrooms at Hirsch.

Carla Byrd is a tea sipping artsy soul who was born and raised in the DC area but has recently made Atlanta home. She studied graphic design but was led to follow her calling for more hands-on visual arts such as painting and sculpture. Along with curating art events, she has been teaching and sharing creativity with children in schools, community art centers and privately for the past 7 years throughout DC, NYC, and now Atlanta. This experience has included her being graced by the presence of neurodivergent students in her classes. Through giving more individualized attention, she has formed deeper understanding, endearing attachments and a love for these children, leading her to feel drawn to the Hirsch Academy. Inspired by all things playful yet laced with qualities of strength, Carla focusses on interconnectedness, nature, and connection.

Charisse is a graduate of Syracuse University with a  Sociology major, and Education Studies minor focused on Special Education and is continuing her education at GA State University in the MACIE (Master of Arts in Creative and Innovative Education). Growing up in Atlanta since the age of four, Charisse had some exposure to the disability community through family and peers. At Syracuse University, this passion developed to be much more involved and impactful, as her studies forced her to look at her daily life more critically and realize much more can and should be done to bring about true equity within classrooms and society. She has worked with children of varying ages, from camp counselor to nanny, and has teaching experience in inclusive classrooms. She loves to read, go on random adventures, travel, and try new foods. Charisse is excited to join Hirsch for her second year and also continuing as coordinating the After School Program team.

Emily earned her degree in Music Education from the University of North Georgia. Her enthusiasm for singing creates an enjoyable and enriching learning experience for students of all abilities. In college, she was a camp counselor for a camp serving neurodivergent teens and adults. At camp, she enjoyed helping her campers grow in confidence and self-efficacy. Emily was introduced to the Hirsch Academy when her son became a student at the school in 2022. She watched as her son’s life was radically transformed through the support and care of the teachers and staff. She was so inspired by Hirsch’s teaching philosophies that she decided to become a substitute teacher in 2023 and is now excited to be part of the team as an Academic and Regulation Assistant teacher. 

Rachel has an educational background in Psychology and Creative Literature with Linguistics from the University of Edinburgh. She has experience as a yoga instructor, an online tutor for various subjects, and has worked on numerous community-focused projects in Atlanta and around the world. Her holistic approach to life and learning makes her a valuable asset to our team.

Student Support Staff

Ian Cotton-Smith – Founding Student and Campus Support

Pioneering The Hirsch Academy as its first student, Ian and his parents have been trailblazers for the neurodivergent community, helping to create The Hirsch Academy. Post-graduation, Ian remains closely involved, contributing to the outdoor adventure program, recess activities, and executing handyman repairs on campus. Beyond Hirsch Academy, Ian enjoys blacksmithing, woodworking, and golf. Additionally, he co-owns Hotlanta Hot Sauce, a thriving Atlanta-based business.

Vivian Crowe – After School Program Team

Vivian Crowe is a senior at Decatur High School. After she graduates she plans on going into the human services field to be a social worker. Born in Oklahoma and raised in Arizona, she is adopted and neurodivergent. Vivian attended Hess Academy from 5th to 8th grade. She loves to swim, babysit, and hang out with her dog Otto and her parents.