Fairfax Campus Team

Julie Carper, Occupational Therapist

Email: [email protected]

Degrees and Certifications:
B.A. Education, Virginia Polytechnic Institute
M.A. Occupational Therapy, Shenandoah University

Kara Watrud (Spencer) – Interim Head of School/Social Learning Specialist

B.A. Psychology, Christopher Newport University
M.A. Applied Developmental Psychology, George Mason University

Kara joins Auburn as the Social Learning Specialist. She spent many years as a pre-kindergarten teacher in both Ashburn, VA and Denver, CO. In graduate school Kara’s research focused on social-emotional development in early childhood settings from both the teaching side and the student perspective. She believes that fostering a strong sense of social-emotional learning is vital for all children and is passionate about providing the tools kids need to succeed! Outside of work you’ll find Kara hanging out at home with her husband, hiking, baking, or spending time with her 3 special needs nephews!

Mindy Bronn – Behavior Support Specialist

B.A. Social Work, Liberty University

Ms. Mindy joins Auburn as the Social Learning Specialist. She is the mother to three beautifully unique children with special needs, and she has over ten years of experience with advocating, teaching and crisis management. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from Liberty University, and she is currently pursuing a master’s degree in special education. She plans to continue her education following her master’s degree in special education with a masters in Applied Behavioral Analysis. Her calling in special education began with her children and continued when she began working as an Applied Behavioral Technician for children with special needs. She has a genuine passion and commitment to assist her children and her students with special needs, find their voice and successfully succeed in life.

Mohammad Taleb – Arts and Music Integration Teacher

Mr. Taleb is a dedicated professional with expertise in teaching, curriculum development, and multilingual proficiency, which includes Persian (Dari) and Persian (Farsi), Pashto and Urdu, with additional experience in Turkish (Turkiye). His career began at Diplomatic Language Services, where he excelled as a Dari Instructor, teaching and developing curriculum for more than 14 years. he also worked as a translator and interpreter for Persian-Dari and Persian-Farsi materials. With a background in cultural and geopolitical matters in Afghanistan and Pakistan, he has served as a Language Consultant for the Department of Defense at the National Language Service Corps. He has also held various roles in Pakistan and Turkey, contributing to his extensive skill set, which includes customer service and security experience. Mr. Taleb started at Auburn as an Instructional Assistant and is now the Art and Music Integration teacher.

Dr. Samy Musa – Teacher

Degrees and Certifications:
Ph.D in Communications, Howard University

Dr. Musa enjoys over 20 years of collective teaching experience. He currently teaches middle school. Over the course of his career Dr. Musa has gained multi-facets of exposure in the world of education, from a finance director at the Saudi Academy in Virginia to instructional professor at Strayer University, as well as teaching Special Education with Fairfax County Public Schools. He has dedicated his life to enabling young children to explore the learning world with a calm, compassionate strategy. Dr. Musa holds a Doctorate from Howard University in Communications.

Katrina Long – Teacher

I am relatively new to the classroom with 1 year of experience. I graduated from Towson University with a B.S. in Psychology and my background is in Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA). Outside of the classroom, I love all things creative including drawing and painting. My favorite activities are reading, traveling, trying new foods/restaurants, and sightseeing!

Austin Theis – Teacher

Austin Theis graduated from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania with a B.S.Ed in Secondary Education with a concentration in Social Studies. He has taught Special Education and Social Studies in a public middle school and high school outside Richmond, VA. Most recently, he spent 4 years as the assistant director for an overnight summer camp bringing fun and education together for all campers. Austin is excited to join the Auburn School and get back into the classroom to share his passion for learning with his students. Outside of the classroom, he enjoys all things hockey, especially the Washington Capitals, traveling, playing music, playing board games with friends, and spending time with his family.

Alana Simon – Instructional Assistant

Degrees and Certifications:
Bachelor of Arts in Human Services, Beacon College

Alana started as an Instructional Assistant at the Auburn School in September 2021. Previously, she worked for Greenbriar East Elementary School. She has a strong passion to help students who learn differently.

Jennifer Vo – Instructional Assistant

Degrees and Certifications:
B.A. Social Work – George Mason University

Jennifer graduated from George Mason University with a Bachelor’s in Social Work. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Social Work at Virginia Commonwealth University and is hoping to receive her LCSW. In the future, she wants to work in a school setting or clinical practice while focusing on the mental health of children and adolescents. Outside of work, Jennifer likes to spend quality time with her friends and family, build with Legos, and drink boba tea!

Antonio Little – Instructional Assistant

Mr. Little was born and raised in Georgia. He enjoys playing sports and cooking. He is currently in school working towards a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology.

Mary Perone – Health and Physical Education Teacher

Ms. Perone joined the Auburn School in 2023 where she teaches Health and Physical Education. She is looking forward to the opportunity to impress the value and benefits of good health and exercise for a strong mind and body, and the importance of making good habits and good choices for a better life. She strongly believes that with adequate support, knowledge, and encouragement a student will gain confidence in their abilities which will further their social skills as they use their strengths in teams and collaborate with others toward goals (the students are already calling her “coach”). Ms. Perone has an A.S. in Foods and Nutrition and a B.A. in Psychology. She also has a Master of Education Degree, and she looks forward to completing her M.S. in Counseling Psychology. In her free time, she enjoys staying active and being outdoors with her Irish Terrier, Angus.

Advisory Board

Bill Brownley, Brownley Law Group, is a successful attorney with extensive experience in all forms of negotiation and trial work. He has served as general counsel to a number of public and private corporations, including Telos, The Financial News Network (now CNBC), United Press International, and The Learning Channel. Mr. Brownley has been working in Special Education law for over 10 years. Over those years he has successfully handled numerous special education matters, from eligibility issues to due process cases and discipline matters. He has lectured and written extensively on Special Education law and advocacy. Mr. Brownley believes in a cooperative and results oriented relationship with school districts and encourages school districts to work with the child’s needs as the primary focus; this approach has served to bring many matters to successful and economic conclusions for children and parents with special needs.

Cathi Cohen, IN Step Director, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Group Psychotherapist, has worked with children, adolescents, and adults in a clinical setting since 1984. Early in her career as a social worker, Ms. Cohen recognized the power of treating relationship problems through group therapy. It was this interest and expertise that led her to create the Stepping Stones Social Skills Group Therapy Program in 1990. The success of this program led to the formation in 1995 of In Step, a comprehensive mental health practice. Ms. Cohen is the author of three books, including Raise Your Child’s Social IQ: Stepping Stones to People Skills for Kids, and has become a leading expert in the field of social skills training with children. In addition to her books, articles and egular workshops for parents, educators, and mental health professionals, Ms. Cohen has appeared on radio and television programs about the mental health needs of children and their families. Ms. Cohen graduated summa cum laude from Tufts University before receiving her M.S. degree from Columbia University School of Social Work.

Kristi Guadagnoli, MindWell, co-founded MindWell in 2004 and serves as the Director of Therapy Services. It was her professional goal to develop a clinic where diagnostics and therapy services were delivered in a warm and family friendly environment. Dr. Guadagnoli received her doctoral degree from Antioch New England Graduate School where she trained at Antioch’s health center. Her training has been varied and includes developmental and child psychology as well as family therapy. Her primary training and interest has been with adolescent and adult women, her dissertation was in the area of the impact of home and community violence on females. Currently, her clinical interests include developmental issues in women throughout the lifespan. She is also interested in the impact of depressive disorders in women and the impact of depression on marriage, parenting and the family system. Her work has been greatly influenced by the DBT model and the mind-body connection. She uses Mindfulness Training and believes that Yoga and Exercise have a great influence on an individual sense of well being, self-esteem and body confidence.

Polly Panitz, FAACP, Capital Area Pediatrics, is a board certified, fellowship-trained Behavioral and Developmental Pediatrician who has practiced at the Herndon office of Capital Area Pediatrics since 2008. Her training consists of two fellowships, one with the National Committee on Clinical Infancy Programs and another from Childrens Memorial Hospital of the Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago, a pediatric residency (also at Childrens Memorial Hospital), and medical school at the Boston University School of Medicine. Her background includes ten years of general pediatric practice with special interests in the behavioral challenges of young children. Her work focuses on supporting families and promoting healthy parenting styles that allow for optimal outcomes for children both at risk and typically developing. She has specialized in feeding problems and the management of Autistic Spectrum Disorders in young children. Dr. Panitz works to create a new model of pediatric practice within Capital Area Pediatrics, working alongside the general pediatricians to promote the early identification and management of developmental and behavioral issues. Furthermore, she provides support to families as they navigate the challenges and treatment paths appropriate for their children.

Cari Syron, Skill Builders LLC, has extensive experience working with children on the autism spectrum as well as children with apraxia, down syndrome, oral motor dysfunction, auditory processing disorders, and general language and speech delay. Her experience working in the public schools as well as a private school for children with learning disabilities and emotional disturbance, has proved invaluable in helping the parents of her patients navigate the special education maze and obtain the most appropriate services available for their child. Mrs. Syron has participated in many specific training programs including PROMPT, Beckman Oral Motor, Sara Rosenfeld-Johnson’s oral motor system, Social Thinking, Verbal Behavior, Wilson Reading Program, Hanen, and Lindamood Bell’s Visualizing and Verbalizing program. As a graduate student in speech pathology, she also acted as an ABA therapist for a 3-year-old boy with severe autism. In addition to providing the above therapy types, Mrs. Syron is also a Fast Forward provider, a member of the American Academy of Private Practice in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology (AAPPSPA) and the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA), and is licensed to practice speech therapy in the state of Virginia.Mrs. Syron received her Bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders from State University of New York at Geneseo, and received her Master’s degree at George Washington University.

John Thomas, Flint Hill School, has been Headmaster of Flint Hill School in Oakton, VA since 2005. Flint Hill, founded in 1956, is a co-ed college preparatory school of 1,100 students on two campuses and is focused on providing excellence in four key areas: Academics, Arts, Athletics and Character/Leadership. Mr. Thomas is a graduate of the McDonogh School in Baltimore, Maryland, and received his undergraduate degree from Randolph Macon College, his graduate degree from Towson University and certification in School Psychology from the State of Maryland. He returned to his prep school and served as a teacher, coach, counselor, and houseparent for 16 years at McDonogh School and was eventually appointed the Dean of Students for the entire school. Mr. Thomas has worked as Middle School Principal at the Kincaid School in Houston, TX, Headmaster of Graland Country Day School in Denver, CO and Headmaster of Saint Mary’s Hall, a co-ed boarding and day school in San Antonio, TX. He has initiated a number of programs, taught at three colleges, and has served on numerous Boards throughout his career in education. He is Co-Author of the book Psychodiagnostic Evaluation of Children: A Casebook Approach and has had two articles published in the book Parenting Teens: Collected Essays by Independent School Educators published by the Secondary School Admission Test Board.

Rachna Varia, Mindwell, co-founded MindWell in 2004 and serves as the Director of Testing and Diagnostics. After becoming a mother, Dr. Varia saw a need to create a professional clinic in a warm, family friendly setting that understood the needs of parents and children. Dr. Varia graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with highest honors and distinction with a B.A. in psychology; she also holds a M.Ed. in Education and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Virginia. Dr. Varia’s expertise lies with comprehensive assessment that teases out subtle and complex diagnostic questions. She works hard at understanding and explaining in plain language the interaction between behavioral, educational, and emotional findings to best inform both home and school recommendations. Dr. Varia enjoys conducting learning disability (psychoeducational) testing and has a special interest in early detection of reading disorders, particularly the different subtypes of dyslexia. Dr. Varia also enjoys testing for and explaining Asperger’s Syndrome to families, so that they understand that there are many different ways this disorder can affect an individual and family emotionally, cognitively, and socially.