The ClearWater Team

Administration

Heidi Johnson, M.Ed.

Executive Director
Heidi Johnson has a B.A. in Liberal Studies with a minor in Mathematics from San Jose State University as well as a masters in Special Education from Albany State. She has certifications in Early Childhood Education, Middle Grade Education and Gifted In-Field. She has been in education for twenty-eight years. Heidi is a FranklinCovey Certified Facilitator for The Leader in Me and 7 Habits of Effective Families. She is trained in Love & Logic and MindSet Crisis Prevention Strategies. She has presented at numerous conferences on creative and innovative learning approaches utilizing differentiated instruction and multiple intelligence theory. Heidi has teamed up with many community businesses over the years to bring real-life experiences into the classroom. She is a wife and mother of three grown sons, and feels so blessed to be a part of the ClearWater family.

Tommy Collins, M.Ed.

Associate Director & Upper School CIA Lead Teacher
Tommy Collins begins his second year at ClearWater Academy with a total of 14 years teaching experience in special education. Having spent 10 years in Fayette County schools, he was awarded Teacher of the Year in 2015-2016 by his colleagues at Whitewater High School. Tommy earned a B.S. Ed in Mental Retardation from the University of West Georgia, an M.Ed in Special Education from Grand Canyon University, and an Ed.S in Curriculum and Instruction from Lincoln Memorial University. He is certified in Special Education, both Adaptive and General Curriculum (K-12), and Health and Physical Education. Tommy, his wife Ashley, and their two children love to spend time ministering to people with special needs and their families through YoungLife’s Capernaum, Club 2.0, and a respite ministry at their church called Stay N’ Play. Tommy’s passion is teaching people with special needs, and he is excited to continue doing this with the ClearWater Academy family.

Christine Harper

Administrative Coordinator
Christine came to ClearWater Academy with ten years experience in the Fayette County School System. The first seven years she spent as a Front Office/Clinic paraprofessional. The last three years she was a paraprofessional in a Kindergarten classroom. She was involved with the PTO and the Fayette County High School Band Boosters while her three wonderful children attended school. She received an Associate Degree in Marketing and Management from Lake Superior College in Duluth, Minnesota. Along with volunteering for the Special Olympics and Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Christine enjoys bowling and watching comedy. Christine loves the rewarding experience of being a part of helping students at ClearWater Academy develop their strengths.

Amy Beaucham, M.Ed.

Student Engagement Coordinator
Mrs. Beaucham plays a vital role in promoting and facilitating student success through active and integrative communication with parents, teachers, therapists, and administration.

Mrs.Beaucham brings with her 34 years of varied and valuable experience in the field of educational service in Georgia. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Georgia Southern University in Speech and Drama, and a Masters Degree in Special Education from West Georgia with certification in the areas of Learning Disabilities, Behavior Disorders, Interrelated Special Education and Gifted Education (K-12). Prior to her public school teaching, Mrs. Beaucham was a counselor and teacher at a private treatment center where she co-existed with students in a therapeutic campsite setting, and she has six years of therapeutic intervention with children from her role as teacher and social worker for the Psychoeducational System of Georgia.

Mrs.Beaucham is married to Ron Beaucham, and they have two children and one grandchild. Meeting the needs of children has always been Mrs. Beaucham’s passion and her original, self-started drama program called Dramatic Fanatics has been another means of fulfilling this passion. Mrs. Beaucham firmly believes in the empowerment of the performing arts, and she has enjoyed sharing the joy of drama with students through this program for the past 15 years. Additionally, Mrs. Beaucham is a storyteller during the summer months performing as “Amelia Bedelia” at libraries throughout Georgia. She loves portraying this fun and lovable character with full engagement of her audience within each performance. You can also see Mrs. Beaucham on stage with the Newnan Community Theatre Improv troupe N.I.T.W.I.T.S! We welcome the versatile and experienced Amy Beaucham and look forward to all that she will contribute towards the success of each student at ClearWater Academy.

Becky Lee

Reading Specialist, Upper/Lower School
Becky Lee is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University with a BS degree in Elementary and Special Education. She has seventeen years of teaching experience. During her tenure, she has taught kindergarten, middle and high school English, high school speech, and middle and high school supplemental support. Becky is an active member of Delta Kappa Gamma International Society for Key Women Educators, Beta Nu Chapter. She has completed the Strategic Learning Coaching Course (Level 1), which is geared towards identifying, developing, and utilizing targeted academic strategies for remediation and accommodation of specific learning differences for students. Becky is thrilled to be a part of the CWA family, and she looks forward to helping her students grow in many areas.

Lower School Personnel

Erin Thomas

Lead Teacher
Erin Thomas has a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education from Georgia College and State University. She has hopes of furthering her education by obtaining both a Masters and a Specialist degrees. Erin has experience working with children ages 5 to 17 in and out of a classroom setting. She has thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity she has had to work with and teach a diverse group of learners in the classroom, including children with autism, speech impairments, ADHD, noncompliant behavior, and specific learning disabilities. Her experience in the classroom has helped to shape her into a well-rounded and compassionate educator who takes each student’s individual needs, goals, and interests into account when creating and differentiating lesson plans and learning activities. She believes that every student has the ability to learn and that it is her job to encourage them to do so. Erin is dedicated to changing the lives of her student’s and nurturing them to grasp their full potential. Erin has a heart for children with exceptionalities and is excited to be a part of the ClearWater Academy team.

Magen Webb, M.Ed.

Lead Teacher
Ms. Webb holds a Bachelor of Science in Special Education from West Georgia and a Masters in Special Education from Albany State. Additionally, she has a Reading Endorsement and specializes in the Orton-Gillingham reading approach. She taught three years in Carroll County as an elementary Special Education Resource Teacher in all subject areas. Ms. Webb has also participated and coached gymnastics for many years, and she was recently engaged! Ms. Webb loves her dogs, is active in the outdoors, and brings with her a passion and love for students with learning differences. We are so excited to welcome Magen Webb to our CWA family!

Upper School Personnel

Angie Readd-McSpadden

Lead Teacher, Creative Expression, Upper/Lower School
Angie Readd-McSpadden earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Augusta State University, Augusta, GA and post Baccalaureate certification in Art (K-12) from the University of West Georgia, Carrollton, GA. She is an accomplished photographer and artist, and is also a certified personal trainer and has attended training in Yoga instruction and practical Pilates. Her most recent endeavors include the study of dance and movement as well as the dramatic art of improvisation. Angie believes art has the ability to open doors of thought, make interdisciplinary connections, and provide a forum to practice personal experience and expression. She believes art has the power to educate, unify, build tolerance, communicate, entertain, inspire, and innovate. Angie’s love of art is inspired by a passion for nature, travel, and music that she shares with her husband, son and daughter. Angie has completed additional training geared towards identifying, developing, and utilizing targeted academic strategies for remediation and accommodation of specific learning differences for students.

Virginia Warrick

Lead Teacher, Upper School Transition
Virginia Warrick came to ClearWater Academy from Florida where she was an Exceptional Student Educator for eleven years before relocating with her family to Fayette County. With a background in Transition Services and Life Skills Coaching for high school age students, Virginia enjoys helping her students attain their full potential by becoming an active part of their community. She has trained and helped implement transition services within several high schools during her time teaching in Florida. After graduating with honors from Florida Atlantic University with a BA in Elementary Education, Virginia decided that working with children with different learning styles and abilities was what she wanted to do. Ms Warrick is also ESOL certified and is beginning a Masters program in the fall. Virginia is excited to begin her third year with CWA and expressed, “ClearWater Academy supports and fulfills a philosophy that I believe in. I knew the moment that I walked into the school that I wanted to be part of the team of wonderful educators and loving children.”

Teaching Assistants

Caroline Breslin

Caroline Breslin is a graduate of the University of Georgia where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Sciences with a concentration in Early Childhood Development and a minor in Fashion Merchandising. During and after college, she was a puppy raiser for the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind and successfully raised two service dogs who are now partnered with their recipients. While in college, she combined her interests in animals and teaching by completing a semester long internship at the Butterfly Dreams Therapeutic Riding Center in Athens GA. Caroline worked for three years in the Georgia Public School System as an After School Teaching Assistant and as a Kindergarten Paraprofessional. Recently, Caroline moved back to her hometown of Peachtree City and is looking forward to continuing her work with children as a member of the CWA family.

Martha Butler, M.Ed.

<Ms. Butler joined the lower school teaching staff in early 2019. She has her Bachelors Degree in Psychology, followed by ten years as an Adult Probation Supervisor in Clayton County. Upon realizing how much she enjoyed children, she returned to Graduate School at Georgia State University where she received her Masters of Education in Early Childhood Education. She then spent 20 years as a classroom teacher in Fayette County, several years in the Collaborative Model.

Upon retiring from Fayette County, she was employed by Atlanta Counseling and Educational Consultants for eight years. Ms. Butler has two daughters and three granddaughters. Her daughters live locally, and Martha recently moved to Tyrone.

Ms. Butler is excited and looks forward to many years supporting the students at ClearWater Academy.

Ginger Sack

Ginger received her undergraduate degree in Business Management and German from Gettysburg College. Soon after having her first child, Ginger realized that she did not want to continue to be in the corporate world. Teaching children was what she enjoyed so she set out to change her career. Ginger worked in the Georgia Public School System for 6 years as a substitute teacher, Collaborative Teaching Assistant, and a Teaching Assistant in the Exceptional Children’s Program. She has been a Teaching Assistant at ClearWater Academy since 2012. She lives in Fayette County with her husband and three children. Traveling with her family, outdoor activities, and reading are some of Ginger’s favorite hobbies. ClearWater Academy gives each student a unique personal approach to learning, and Ginger is excited to be a part of a school that has such a wonderful philosophy.

Jenny Stuart

Jenny Stuart started her career in Education as a kindergarten paraprofessional in Hartford Public Schools, Connecticut where she worked for 15 years before moving to Georgia. For the past 8 years, she has been in Fayette County Public Schools and spent the last 5 years serving students as an Exceptional Children’s Services Collaborative Paraprofessional. She received an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts from Capital Community College in Hartford, Connecticut. Her passion is growing her own vegetables! She is a member of the Peachtree City Community Garden where she serves as Registration Coordinator. She is married and has one daughter. Jenny is excited to be joining CWA and can’t wait to meet the students.

Erika Villacampa

Erika Villacampa earned an MBA with a specialization in Human Resources Management and Healthcare Management from Saint Leo University in Gainesville, Fl. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Technology Management and Fine Arts, from SLU. She also has a Production Certificate in Graphic Design from Indian River State College in Fort Pierce, Fl. Erika has experience working with children of all ages in and out of a classroom setting, and she is passionate about teaching students with special needs. She has participated in professional training sessions with M.R.C.I. in Minnesota and Southside Support Network in Georgia to address the needs of individuals with learning differences. She has enjoyed being a Personal Care Attendant for children with autism, a swimming instructor, an art instructor and has been involved with multiple children’s programs. She also assists Mrs. Beauchem with her Dramatic Fanatics program. Erika specializes in art therapy and believes in using creativity to inspire children and express their emotions. She lives in Coweta County with her husband and four children. She is very excited to be joining CWA!

Therapists

Annette Miller

Occupational Therapist
Annette Miller graduated from the College of St. Catherine with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy. Annette has been an OT for 20 years specializing in Sensory Processing Disorder and childhood development in clinic, home and school settings. Annette lives in Peachtree City with her husband and 4 children. Annette enjoys reading, travel, hiking and holistic healthy living.

Gretchen Ahrens

Equestrian Director, Therapeutic Riding
Gretchen Ahrens is the Equestrian Director at the Calvin Center in Hampton, GA. She is a PATH International Registered Instructor and Instructor Mentor and is working on her Advanced Instructor Certification. She is also certified as a Basic Instructor through the American Association of Horsemanship Safety and is a graduate of Master Equine Manager Programs with both Iowa State University and University of Georgia Extension services. She serves as vice chair for PATH International Georgia and is active on the regional level with conference and event planning. Prior to coming to Georgia, Gretchen served as the Special Needs Program Director for Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries and developed program for the the Jay Novicki camping program, which provided day and overnight outdoor and camping experiences for youth and adults with special needs. In her free time, Gretchen enjoys riding her own two horses, Rainbow and Tootsie, reading and cooking.

Dr. Megan DiQuattro

Consulting Neuropsychologist
Dr. Megan DiQuattro graduated with her doctorate in clinical psychology from Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois, in 2013. She completed her internship at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. She then completed a two-year, APPCN approved, pediatric neuropsychology fellowship through Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) and Emory University School of Medicine. Throughout her training, Dr. DiQuattro has primarily worked with children, adolescents, and young adults ranging in age from 8 weeks to 25 years of age. She is trained to work with children with a broad range of medical, developmental, and behavior concerns.

She now has her own practice, Pediatric NeuroBehavioral Center, in Peachtree City. Her areas of expertise include assessment, therapy, and parent training/support. Visit www.neurobehavioralptc.com to learn more.

Sheila Kewley

Speech Therapist
Sheila Kewley graduated from the University of Central Florida with her Master of Arts degree in Communicative Disorders. She has been a board certified Speech-Language Pathologist for over 20 years. She has practiced in a variety of settings including hospitals, long-term care, rehabilitation centers, private schools, private practice, home health, and public schools. She moved to Fayetteville, Georgia from Florida in 2016 with her husband of 22 years and her two teen-age daughters. Sheila is excited to be a part of the CWA team and is looking forward to impacting the lives of your children.

Chris Zelski

Recreational Therapist
Chris Zelski has been involved in early intervention programs for children with various cognitive learning challenges since 1992. Before co-founding Learning on the Log in 2001, he served as the classroom coordinator and lead teacher at the Walden Early Childhood Programs at Emory University’s Autism Resource Center (1992-1997). He also served and as resource case manager and research assistant. His roles involved developing and supervising classroom curriculum, evaluating academic and social development of children with autism, develop language and social skills in an integrated classroom setting, one to one instruction and supervising of parents within their home environment and classroom teachers within the school setting. Chris was published and presented his work on two research projects at the national convention of the Association For Behavioral Analysis in San Francisco in 1996.

Chris held the position of Program Coordinator and Summer Camp Supervisor at Speech Pathology Services (1997-2000). His role was to develop and lead group environments that promoted increased communication and interaction with peers and adults by utilizing Sensory Integration and Speech based approaches. Continued communication, training of staff and developing individual goals for the children enrolled in the program remained a major component of the position.

Other position’s Chris has held includes teaching at the Lionheart School in Alpharetta, Home School Instructor, Floortime player in small group and individual instruction environments and Aquatics Instructor for children with various learning challenges.

With the idea of continuing to promote productive, community based, supportive and fun programs for children and their families, Chris founded Outdoor Rec. Adventures, Inc in July of 2010. The mission of ORA is to provide exciting and challenging learning opportunities for children with various developmental constrictions such as ADD, ADHD, Sensory Integration Delay, Autism, PDD, PDD/NOS and Asperger’s Syndrome. By utilizing Dr. Stanley Greenspan’s DIR (Developmental, Individual-difference, Relationship-based) framework, recognizing the child’s individual sensory profile, various natural settings, community resources and family participation, the program strives to strengthen each child’s relationship with the world around them as well as their physical, social and emotional development and health.

Chris is excited to work with ClearWater Academy for the eighth year. He shares the belief that each child‘s individual learning style and sensory diet must be respected and honored. He is thrilled to be affiliated with an organization that supports and encourages his passion for helping children develop social and emotional skills through sensory-based recreational activities.