Silver Spring Campus Team

Andy Hubner, Executive Director – The Auburn Schools Group

Email: [email protected]

Degrees and Certifications:

B.A., Pennsylvania State University
M.A. Student Counseling, The American University
M.A. School Administration & Supervision, McDaniel College
Licensed under MSDE as Superintendent, Principal, Pupil Personnel Worker, Special Education Teacher, and Political Science Teacher

Andy comes to Auburn with over 20 years of experience as a talented special education leader in both private and public school systems. He started teaching as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala and continued his career as a teacher, principal, and central office administrator within the DC metro area. During his tenure in education, he also served as a content expert in special education for the U.S. Department of Education Race to the Top State Grant competition. He is currently working on his doctoral studies at Johns Hopkins University, where he also served as adjunct faculty. He is licensed through the Maryland State Department of Education with endorsements as a Superintendent, Principal, Pupil Personnel Worker, Special Education Teacher, and Political Science Teacher. Andy received his undergraduate degree from The Pennsylvania State University and holds two master’s degrees, one in Student Counseling from The American University and a second in School Administration and Supervision from McDaniel College.

Ana McArdle, Director of Admissions

Email: [email protected]

Degrees and Certifications:

B.A. Child & Adolescent Development, Juniata College
B.A. Social Services, Juniata College
M.A. Special Education, Notre Dame of Maryland University (in progress)

Ana joins the Auburn team this year after 11 years of working with individuals with Autism and emotional, intellectual and learning disabilities. She began her professional career as a case manager at a social service agency, serving in their Special Needs and Deaf Services Department. There, she organized and championed a social club whose main purpose was to enable and empower teenagers and young adults to form relationships with their peers while developing and enhancing their social skills and strategies. Afterwards, Ana transitioned to Sheppard Pratt, where she spent 8 years at The Frost School as an educational assistant before becoming an assistant behavior specialist. For the last 2 years, she taught 4th-grade Special Education in another Sheppard Pratt program. Ana obtained her B.A. in Child and Adolescent Development and Social Services from Juniata College and is working to finish her M.A. in Special Education at Notre Dame of Maryland University.

Mari Glover, Behavior Support Specialist

Degrees and Certifications:

B.A. English, Georgia Southern University
M.A. Applied Behavior Analysis, University of West Florida
Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)

Mari has 3 plus years of experience in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) as a Registered Behavior Technician, is currently completing an M.A. in ABA, and is a Behavior Analyst Trainee seeking BCBA licensure. With diverse experience across environments, she is skilled in providing behavior-analytic services in the school setting. She has worked with early intervention programs, public and charter schools, alternative education programs, and daycares with students aged 2-17 years old. Amongst these students, she has provided therapeutic services to those on the Autism spectrum, with emotional or behavioral disorders, and psychiatric disorders. She is a welcome addition to our team as the Behavior Support Specialist!

Rebecca Ferrer, Social Learning Specialist

Degrees and Certifications:

Catherine Perini-Cline, Curriculum & Instructional Specialist

Degrees and Certifications:

B.A., Mass Communication, Towson University
M.Ed., Special Education and Teaching, Goucher College
Post-Graduate Curriculum and Instruction Certification, Walden University

Aidan McCaul, Teacher

Degrees and Certifications:

B.A English, St. Mary’s College of Maryland

Aidan McCaul will be joining The Auburn School as a teaching assistant for this coming school year. Aidan obtained his BA in English with a concentration in creative writing from St. Mary’s College of Maryland. During his period at St. Mary’s he acted as an academic peer mentor for incoming freshmen and participated as an editor for the AVATAR literary magazine. In his free time, Aidan enjoys biking, reading, writing, and playing chess. He is excited about the opportunity to get to know all the students, parents, and faculty of The Auburn School.

Paris Thalheimer, Teacher

Email: [email protected]

Degrees and Certifications:

B.S. Social Sciences, Towson University

Julie Mann, Teacher

Degrees and Certifications:

B.S. English Literature, Eastern Michigan University
M.A. English Literature, The George Washington University

Kevin Zimmerman, PE and Health Instructor

Degrees and Certifications:

BS from West Virginia University

Kevin comes to The Auburn School as the Health and PE teacher. Kevin graduated from West Virginia University, where he studied Sport and Exercise Psychology and minored in Business Administration. During the critical beginning of the pandemic, he returned to school and studied under the ADN program, where he acquired many courses related to health, caregiving, and nursing. Kevin comes to Auburn with a wealth of experience related to sports and wellness, including physical fitness training. Kevin is an avid golfer and enjoys all sporting activities. In addition, Kevin has had the opportunity to work with the Special Olympics and volunteer his time at the Jungle Gym, a rehabilitative clinic that serves children with OT and PT needs.

David King, Assistant Teacher

Email: [email protected]

Degrees and Certifications:

B.A. Japanese Language & Literature, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

David came to the Silver Spring team with 8 years of teaching experience. Before becoming a lead classroom teacher, he served as an instructional assistant. Prior to joining Auburn, he worked for 3 years as an assistant language teacher in various Japanese middle schools under the Japanese government’s Japan-English Teaching Programme. He then spent another 3 years as a Guest English Teacher in South Korea’s English Program in Korea. During his time abroad, he also studied several martial arts, including Tai Chi, Naginata, Taekwondo, and Haidong Gumdo, the latter of which he now teaches. David holds a B.A. in Japanese Language and Literature from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Isaiah Fullen, Elementary School Teacher

Degrees and Certifications:

B.A. Audio Production, Art Institute of Washington
M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction with an Emphasis in Social and Emotional Learning, University of Virginia

Isaiah joins the Auburn team this year after four years of working in Early Childhood Education, both outdoor preschool and traditional indoor kindergarten, as well as four years of coaching middle school sports. He began his career in education and quickly adapted to the life of being a teaching assistant in year one, from being an Audio Engineer, then a co-teacher for Pre-K in year two. In years three and four, he began the Early Childhood Teaching Fellowship at Saint Anne’s Belfield in Charlottesville, Virginia, where he worked full-time during the day, and attended the University of Virginia part-time, nights and weekends. During his time working towards his M.Ed. In his time as a Teaching Fellow, he refined his prior education experience with the knowledge he gained from UVA’s top-notch Education Program (No. 8 out of 255 schools in the US). There, he developed an interest in working in the field of Special Education. He is excited to implement his unique, holistic approach to education, as well as get to know and develop relationships with the students and families here at The Auburn School!

Cas Cassidy, Office Manager

Degrees and Certifications:

BFA Sequential Art
Savannah College of Art and Design

Cas joined the Auburn team in September 2024. Their previous experience at DEAN Adventure Camps, formerly the Handwork Studio, as both an assistant and a lead instructor, lit a fire of leadership, mentorship, and collaboration, which they look forward to building higher by supporting the Auburn mission and working with the Auburn team. They are grateful to be a part of this school that celebrates and embraces differences in learning and building relationships. In their spare time, they enjoy reading, drawing comics, and traveling.

Maggie Bell-Walker, Occupational Therapist

Degrees and Certifications:

• B.A., Houghton College
• M.S. in Occupational Therapy, Boston University
• Board Certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)
• ADHD-Certified Rehabilitation Services Provider (ADHD-RSP)
• Autism Spectrum Disorders Clinical Specialist (ASDCS)
• Certificate in Systems and Performance Management, Georgetown University School of Business
• Licensed Occupational Therapist in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia

Maggie Bell-Walker is a highly experienced Occupational Therapist with 15 years of practice across various settings and age groups. She brings 6 years of dedicated experience as a school-based occupational therapist, following 3 years in management within subacute rehabilitation and long-term care. Maggie is the founder of a private practice, The Life Skills Spot, where her passion lies in empowering neurodivergent people to develop strategies for a life that truly fits their unique needs and strengths. Maggie received a B.A. in History and Art from Houghton College. She holds a Master’s in Science Degree in Occupational Therapy from Boston University, the #1 ranked Occupational Therapy program in the US. She furthered her education with a Certificate in Systems and Performance Management from Georgetown School of Business. Maggie maintains her national board certification in Occupational Therapy from NBCOT as well as specialty certifications from Evergreen Certifications as an ADHD Certified Rehabilitation Services Provider and an Autism Spectrum Disorders Clinical Specialist.

Kendra Brown, Speech Language Pathologist

Degrees and Certifications:

M.S., CCC-SLP

Kendra Browne, M.S., CCC-SLP is a bilingual speech-language pathologist licensed since 2018 who specializes in supporting students’ social communication, emotional regulation, and executive functioning. At Auburn School, she focuses on helping children strengthen their pragmatic language, build problem-solving and organizational skills, and develop strategies for self-advocacy. Kendra is dedicated to fostering a supportive environment where every student can grow in confidence and thrive both academically and socially.

Sukhvir Kaur, Art Teacher

Sukhvir is an accomplished artist and art educator with over a decade of experience teaching Pre-K–12 students. Since 2024, she has served as an Art Teacher and now joins Auburn with a strong commitment to inclusive, student-centered instruction. Her dynamic lessons foster creativity, artistic expression, and exploration of diverse techniques. Sukhvir has guided students to success in regional, national, and international competitions, including a first prize at the 2019 Beijing UNESCO Festival. She also leads community-focused workshops and exhibitions, inspiring learners of all levels through hands-on engagement with various artistic mediums.

Ashley Prillaman, Assistant Teacher

Degrees and Certifications:

B.A., Spelman College, Sociology and Anthropology
M.S.A, Trinity College, Education Leadership

Ashley is set to join the Auburn team this year as an Assistant Teacher. Before her Auburn role, she devoted two years to City Year, discovering her passion for the classroom and aiding students in realizing their utmost capabilities. Since her City Year experience, Ashley has engaged with students of various ages and in diverse capacities and programs such as Horton’s Kids, YWCA, and Girl Scouts. Ashley is a native Washingtonian who loves to travel, bake, and try new restaurants around the DMV area. Ashley is looking forward to teaching the students and working with the parents at the Auburn School.

Javonn Curry, Assistant Teacher

Degrees and Certifications:

BA Sociology, University of Maryland, College Park
MS in Sport Administration, Arkansas State University (in progress)

Javonn comes to the Silver Spring team after working with regional non-profit, Leveling the Playing Field (LPF), also located in Silver Spring. In that role, Javonn worked with volunteers and schools across the region to coordinate donations and events to collect sports equipment for those individuals, teams, and schools that need it.

Javonn is a former college athlete and loves sports, especially football and futbol! Javonn is also an avid plant parent and loves gardening. He also has a vast collection of tropical houseplants, succulents, and cacti!

He lives with his cat, Willow, and his many plants in Burtonsville, MD.

  Andrea Quinteros, Assistant Teacher

I’m excited to join The Auburn School community!

I graduated from Albert Einstein High School and began working with children shortly after, I worked at an MCPS elementary school as a paraprofessional for two years , which sparked my passion for supporting young learners.  I’m thrilled to bring my enthusiasm and experience to this amazing team of students and staff, and I look forward to growing and learning together!

Lawrence Crockett, Assistant Teacher

Degrees and Certifications:

B.A. Political Science and Spanish, University of Pittsburgh

Lawrence joins Auburn as an eager Teacher’s Assistant. He was a foreign exchange student in Westmoreland, Jamaica with Amizade Global Service-learning. At the University of Pittsburgh’s Study Abroad Office, Lawrence served as an Outreach Ambassador, encouraging middle and high school students to explore foreign student exchange opportunities. Working with students is his passion, and he is willing and able to be of service to the Auburn community. Lawrence has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Pittsburgh in political science, with a minor in Spanish. Originally from Washington, DC, Lawrence is excited to foster learning among tomorrow’s future leaders.

Weldon Borie, Assistant Teacher

Degrees and Certifications:

B.A. Political Science, St Marys College of Maryland

Weldon has several years of experience supporting young people in camp and outdoor educational settings, where he was responsible for helping students build teamwork/problem-solving solving and executive functioning skills. He has also worked with adults with varied special needs. In his free time, Weldon enjoys playing guitar, bass, and drums, as well as performing improv.

Advisory Board

Taruna Ahluvalia, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist and pediatric neuropsychologist in private practice in Columbia, MD. She has practiced as a pediatric neuropsychologist in the DC/Baltimore region for over 12 years. Dr. Ahluvalia has expertise in the evaluation of children and adolescents with autism-spectrum disorders, specific learning disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), executive functioning problems, language disorders, and neurological disorders, and in the assessment of emotional functioning. Dr. Ahluvalia has worked with children and adolescents on the autism spectrum for over 12 years. She has served as a pediatric neuropsychologist on specialized autism teams at Children’s National Medical Center (CNMC), and she has presented research on neuropsychological profiles in high-functioning ASD at national conferences. Dr. Ahluvalia has also presented talks on high-functioning autism-spectrum disorders to state psychological and educational organizations and parent groups. Dr. Ahluvalia holds an academic appointment as Adjunct Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at George Washington University School of Medicine. Prior to opening her private practice in Columbia, MD, Dr. Ahluvalia served as a pediatric neuropsychologist at CNMC, Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital, and in a group private practice.

Dr. David Black, Ph.D., National Institute of Mental Health Pediatrics & Developmental Neuroscience Branch, Stixrud Group, is a licensed clinical psychologist and pediatric neuropsychologist. He is skilled in the assessment of a wide range of childhood neurological, psychiatric, developmental, and learning disorders and is an expert in the diagnosis and neuropsychological assessment of children with autism spectrum disorders. Dr. Black is actively doing research with children who have autism spectrum disorders and regularly publishes and presents his research at professional conferences. Dr. Black received his Ph.D. from George Mason University and completed his internship and postdoctoral training at the University of California, Los Angeles. He has worked in a variety of settings, including in private practice, specialty clinics, children’s hospitals, and research settings.

Jilly Darefsky, Head of School, The Siena School, is an experienced educator and school leader, having previously served as a founding school coordinator. In this role, Ms. Darefsky oversaw all day-to-day school operations and administration. She has implemented highly regarded curriculum and instructional models, with a focus on language-based learning disabilities. She is a member of the National Association of Special Education Teachers and currently serves as vice-president on the Board of the D.C. Capital Area Branch of the International Dyslexia Association. Ms. Darefsky earned a B.A., with honors, in English Literature with Psychology from the University of Surrey, a Diploma in Specific Learning Difficulties/ Dyslexia from Hornsby International Dyslexia Centre, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from Canterbury Christ Church University College. She holds a Master’s in specific learning difficulties with merit from Middlesex University.

Dr. Judith Glasser, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Washington. She has extensive experience with the diagnosis and treatment of many different kinds of problems experienced by children and adolescents, including depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder,) among others. Dr. Glasser is also experienced working with children who have learning disabilities in addition to anxiety and depression. She has published articles for journals such as the ADHD Report and has presented at many local and national conferences, including the National Chadd Conference, the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, and the Association for Conflict Resolution. Most recently, her interest has been in the difficulties experienced by families that are going through divorce and/or remarriage and have children with ADHD or other challenges. Dr. Glasser is a native Washingtonian and holds a BA in Psychology from Oberlin College and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the Catholic University of America.

Karan Lamb, Psy.D, Psychologist, Alvord Baker & Associates, is a licensed psychologist with experience in individual and group psychotherapy. Dr. Lamb completed her pre-doctoral internship at Woodhull Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, where she worked at the child and adolescent clinic, adult inpatient, and HIV Clinic. She received her doctoral degree from The George Washington University. She has worked at the Adele Lebowitz Center for Youth and Family in Washington, DC, as an individual and group therapist. For the past four years, Dr. Lamb has worked as a psychologist with Johns Hopkins University’s Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Family Study, interviewing multi-generational families with OCD. Dr. Lamb specializes in the assessment and treatment of ADHD, anxiety, and depressive disorders. In addition, she has an interest and experience with psychoeducational assessments, social skills groups, and school consultations for children from pre-school to high school age.

Christopher Waddell, The Waddell Group, is a Certified Financial Planner™ professional, and has dedicated his career to helping employers provide financial education, group retirement and insurance solutions, and business continuity plans; and to providing his clients with financial guidance for more than two decades. Many of his clients are multi-generational families with complex investment, risk management, and estate planning issues. Prior to affiliating in July 2007 with Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., Mr. Waddell was managing principal with Waddell & Reed, Inc., where he supervised 24 financial advisors in the Mid-Atlantic area. He regularly appears in national and local media, including Business Week, CNBC, Comcast, CNN, CNN MONEY, and Financial Planning magazine. In June 2011, he completed the Autism Speaks Triathlon in Poolesville, MD, to raise funds for autism research, his seventh annual Run for Autism starting with the 30th Marine Corps Marathon in 2005. He is the past president of the Autism Society of America Northern Virginia Chapter and the incoming president of the Arlington Special Education PTA. Waddell graduated from Georgetown University with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and English. Together with his wife, Theresa, the Waddell’s have three boys, two with Autism.