Contributor Bios
Juane Heflin, PhD
Dr. Juane Heflin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education at Georgia State University. After earning her Bachelor's degree from Abilene Christian University and Master's degree from North Texas State University, she taught for Ft. Worth Independent Schools in a classroom for children with emotional/behavioral disorders and autism where she was given the "Outstanding Young Educator" award in 1987. Her doctorate is from the University of North Texas. Before coming to GSU, she taught at Stephen F. Austin State University. A frequently requested presenter on the topics of autism spectrum disorders and behavioral issues, Dr. Heflin's book, "Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Effective Instructional Practices" was published in 2007 by Prentice Hall. She is the co-editor of the journal "Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities."
Email: jheflin@gsu.edu
Kristen Hess, MA
Kristen Hess has taught students with special needs in Georgia, New York, and New Jersey. Her work with students with ASD has involved both self-contained and inclusive settings and has spanned early intervention, preschool, elementary, middle, and high school classrooms. After earning her Master’s in Early Childhood Special Education at Bank Street College in New York City, Kristen has taught students with ASD, supervised and trained teachers throughout the state of Georgia, and consulted with school districts to help them better support students with ASD. Kristen is currently a doctoral student at Georgia State University focusing on the area of autism. Her interests include inclusion, supporting challenging behaviors, ASD teacher training and support, and best practice for students on the spectrum.
Email: ecekhh@langate.gsu.edu
Liz Novak
Liz Novak received her Bachelor's degree in Multicultural Education from the University of Iowa in 1979 and taught 6th grade in Newnan, GA for one year. She returned to the University of Iowa and earned a Master’s degree in Special Education, specializing in Emotional Behavior Disorders. Ms. Novak began working with the North Metro Program in Atlanta in 1982 and was a teacher for students with autism and SEBD for fourteen years. In 1996, Ms. Novak accepted the coordinator’s position for the North Metro Program at Sweet Apple Elementary School in Roswell, GA. She earned her Leadership degree from the State University of West Georgia. Ms. Novak currently coordinates and supervises the North Metro site at Sweet Apple, which serves approximately 50 students with SEBD and Autism. She assisted in the development of a model program at Sweet Apple for students with autism, utilizing Applied Behavior Analysis and the Discrete Trial Training methodology. She continues to recognize her love for working with children of disabilities and enjoys spending as much time as possible interacting with the students in the classroom setting.
Email: novak@fulton.k12.ga.us
Kelli Moore
Kelli Moore received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the State University of West Georgia and her Educational Leadership Certification from the University of Georgia. Kelli taught in the Georgia Psychoeducational Network from 1991-1997 at the Sexton Woods Program, Ash Street Center and Flat Shoals Center. After serving as a pre-K thru middle grades supervisor in Clayton County for 9 years, she went back into the classroom in the 2006-2007 school year teaching pre-k and kindergarten students with Autism at South Metro Psychoeducational center.
Email: kmoore@clatyon.k12.ga.us
Joey Goldberger
Joseph Goldberger taught students with intellectual disabilities in Waycross, GA during the middle 1980’s. He has been teaching students with autism through the South Metro Psychoeducational Program since 1986 to present. During this time, Mr. Goldberger has earned his Master's and Educational Specialist degrees from the University of West Georgia. Mr. Goldberger was honored as the Fulton County Elementary Teacher of the Year in 1994; and was 1 of 10 teachers nationwide to win the prestigious Shaklee Award in 2003.
Email: goldberger@fultonschools.org
Cynthia Golden
Cynthia D. Golden is a School Psychologist with HAVEN Academy’s Psychoeducational Program in Cobb County, Georgia. She graduated from Georgia State University with Master’s and Educational Specialist degrees in School Psychology. Her undergraduate degree is in Special Education and 13 of her 24 years of Special Education experience is in the classroom setting. During her time in the classroom, she was twice elected to serve as Teacher of the Year. Cynthia is currently working on her Doctorate in Inclusive Education at Kennesaw State University. She is completing her first book, "The OMAC System: Organized Management of an Autism Classroom", which focuses on designing the optimum classroom for students with autism.
Email: cindy@OMACConsulting.com
Website: www.OMACConsulting.com
Technical Assistance
Website and module development provided by Cassie Wilcox, Matthew Munson, and Julian Allen of University Educational Technology Services (UETS), a unit of Information Systems & Technology (IS&T). Additional media creation support provided by Tim Merritt of the Instructional Technology Center (ITC).
