Our Team

Debbie Disney, MSW, LCSW-C

Founder

Debbie Disney LCSW-C’s decades of experience in public and private schools systems, and as a psychotherapist in private practice started the wheels turning. Recognizing the need for a program that was specifically designed to bring self-awareness, psychoeducation, practical and proven strategies and techniques to adults, teens and children who struggle with Attention Deficit and/or executive functions, Debbie sought team members who understood her vision. Collaborating with seasoned educators, learning specialists, school administrators, and innovators in technology, the foundation for SAJE was formed.

Debbie has an extensive background in experiential education working with children, teens, and adults creating and running a Leadership Training program for a summer day camp. Through Debbie’s years of thoughtful program development, many children have become successful leaders with confidence and self-esteem.

Combining her years of experiential programming in educational settings with her clinical social work background, Debbie has created a program that will support individuals in all areas of their lives.

Licensed Certified Social Worker- Clinical (LCSW-C)

Master of Social Work – University of Maryland
 
MA – Towson University

Lauren Disney, BS

Director of Admissions

Lauren is passionate about supporting children, adolescents and adults who struggle socially, emotionally, or academically. As SAJE’s Director of Admissions, Lauren’s degree in psychology and training in the field of the neurodivergent learner provides the insight to the challenges our SAJE Scholars face. Lauren is the first point of contact for SAJE inquiries. During the initial phone conversation, Lauren’s wealth of knowledge about neurodiversity, learning challenges, brain development, attention deficit disorder and executive functions often brings a sense of relief and hope to the individual who has faced a lifetime of challenges. As the Director of Admissions, Lauren is eager to answer questions, assist in the application and enrollment process, and coordinate series sessions between Scholars and their Learning Specialists.

Lauren is an ADHD/Executive Function Teacher Trainer. She is a graduate and licensed provider of the training workshop Managing ADHD, EF and Behavior in the Classroom, a professional development series created by Cindy Goldrich, Ed.M., ADHD-CCSP, PTS Coaching LLC.

Lauren graduated from Virginia Tech in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She has also earned her EMT -B and EMT-A certifications. Lauren is a proud military wife, married to an awesome young man (who is the “J” in SAJE; their son is the “N” in SAJEN, our summer series.)

Kelli McClelland, MA​

Director Of Education, Outreach and Advocacy

Kelli describes herself as a creative problem solver. Kelli found that she thrives in positions where she can support individuals to learn skills that bring confidence and competence in all areas of their lives. Kelli’s close to twenty (20) years of experience in education, counseling and program development gives her a depth and wealth of knowledge in areas of social, emotional, mental and academic learning that has proven to be most beneficial to those under her guidance.

Kelli transitioned early in her career from providing direct and indirect services in mental health agencies to education and program development. As an educator, Kelli taught students from elementary to postsecondary schools. Kelli recognized the impact she could have on students when she was able to develop curriculum and lessons specific to each student’s learning style and learning challenges. Incorporating creative, out-of-the-box activities along with her engaging personality proved to be rewarding for the students and colleagues working with her. Kelli not only advocated for her students’ needs, but she also taught her students and their family members how to advocate for their own needs.

Shifting from education to program management, Kelli was recruited as the Program Manager to design a support program for the non-profit organization Truck Safety Coalition. Through perseverance, Kelli facilitated meetings for family members to share their stories with Congress members. She established a peer support network, established and maintained an outreach forum for family members to access resources, and she redesigned the organization’s website and social media programming. After five years in the position, Kelli realized she missed the relationships she developed with students and the impact she was able to have on students’ confidence, learning and life skills. Kelli is excited to come full circle as she joins SAJE as a Learning Specialist. The collaborative nature of SAJE, rooted in meaningful exchange between the Scholar and Learning Specialist, is a natural return into the realm of teaching and guiding individuals who learn differently.

Master of Arts in Applied Sociology – University Of Maryland Baltimore County

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology – Metropolitan State College of Denver Pronouns – She/Her

Learning Specialists

Grant King, MS

Grant hails from the small town of Benton, Arkansas, where his love for learning and exploration was nurtured by his family. His educational journey led him to the University of Arkansas, where he embarked on an exciting academic adventure. During this time, he had the incredible opportunities to study abroad, expanding his horizons and deepening his understanding of diverse cultures, peoples, and learners. He also embarked on a path of research, working as a Research Assistant at the Center for Research on Aggression and Victimization, honing his analytical skills, and developing a passion for data-driven insights to support scholars in schools. 

His pursuit of knowledge eventually brought him to his new home in Baltimore, where he pursued a Master of Science in Elementary and Special Education at Johns Hopkins University through the Urban Teachers program. This chapter marked a significant turning point in his career, equipping him with the tools and knowledge to make a meaningful impact in the field of education.  

For six years, Grant dedicated himself to serving the students of Baltimore City Public Schools as a dedicated special educator and elementary school teacher. It was here that he developed a reputation as a highly effective educator, committed to the academic and socio-emotional development of his students. Grant loved empowering students to take charge of their brain’s development, and equipping students with strategies, such as mindfulness techniques and sentence stems for addressing conflict, to help them navigate difficult social and emotional situations. 

Grant is thrilled to embark on a new chapter with SAJE as a Learning Specialist. His passion for empowering individuals who learn differently perfectly aligns with SAJE’s mission. He’s excited to continue supporting scholars’ unique learning processes and contributing to their social, emotional, and academic growth. 

Master of Science in Education – Johns Hopkins School of Education 

Bachelor of Arts Psychology and Sociology – University of Arkansas 

Certificate – Education Policy  

Maryland Educator Certificate – Special Education; Early Childhood Education 

Pronouns – He/Him 

Sheri Sesko is a Learning Specialist at SAJE

Sheri Sesko, BA

The positive impact Sheri has on children and families goes as far back as her days as a babysitter and summer camp counselor. Becoming a teacher was an easy decision for Sheri.

Early in her career as an educator, Sheri was quick to recognize the standard classroom curriculum did not support students who learned differently or whose needs were not met by rigid protocol, assessments, and measurements of achievement and success.

There did not seem to be room for Sheri to offer the compassion and creativity she knew could be most beneficial for the students who did not “fit in.” This frustration propelled her to find an educational system that encompassed the whole child philosophy. She found this in the Montessori system, as an elementary teacher.

After twenty years in this nurturing environment, Sheri was ready to shift her focus as an educator to work with neurodivergent children and children with ADHD or other learning differences. Sheri transitioned to a school that specialized in curriculum and support of students with ADHD, dyslexia, and other language-based learning differences. Focusing on this population of learners in both large and small group settings, she taught a dedicated executive function and social skills curriculum.

The compassionate and creative approaches Sheri incorporated as she taught the application of these skills and strategies encouraged her students’ academic, social, and emotional achievements. Sheri took great pride in the relationships she cultivated with her students and their families during the nine years she was with the school. Now, as a Learning Specialist with SAJE, Sheri’s years of experience supporting students and adults struggling with finding confidence and competence in their academic, social, emotional, and even professional lives is proving to be life changing for Scholars.

BA in Psychology – Salisbury University

Certified Elementary 1 – The Institute of Advanced Montessori Studies

Kerri Zannino is a Learning Specialist at SAJE

Kerri Zannino, MS

Kerri’s passion for working with neurodiverse students was inspired the summer she worked at a school for students with autism. That experience formed the trajectory for Kerri’s immersion into the field of Education. Originally from New Jersey, Kerri moved to Maryland in 1998 for the opportunity to teach middle school students with autism in Baltimore County Schools.

Throughout her career as a special education teacher, Kerri innovatively employed technology, sensory activities, community-based instruction, and career training to foster student growth. She prioritized creating immersive, hands-on learning experiences beyond the classroom to enhance social skills and overall development. Inspired by her students, Kerri pursued a Master’s degree in Special Education with a focus on severe disabilities, refining her instructional techniques at Ridge Ruxton School during her internship.

Kerri shifted from teaching to working from home when her daughters were young. She has been the financial administrator of a private investment company, working alongside her husband of 21 years. Now that her daughters are teenagers, Kerri is excited to renew her passion for working with children and adults who learn differently in her role as a Learning Specialist with SAJE.

Integrating her personal and professional experiences as an educator, business administrator and parent of a child who learns differently, Keri supports her SAJE Scholars in their exploration of recognizing the impact executive functions have had in their daily life while learning strategies and skills to become confident and competent in the social, emotional, academic, and professional areas of their lives.

Master of Science in Special Education – The Johns Hopkins University

Bachelor of Science in Elementary and Special Education – University of Delaware

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