Faculty Biographies

Kimberly Heald, MS Ed, BCBA, earned a BA in clinical/counseling psychology and an AS in chemical dependency from Keene State College. She earned her MS Ed from Simmons College and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Kim began working with children with disabilities, with a focus in children with autism, while working on her undergraduate degree. Kim has worked with a multitude of children from the age of 15 months to middle and high school students with varying diagnoses, particularly children with autism. After working for the May Institute for three years, Kim launched her private consulting practice in 2005, Heald Behavioral & Developmental Services, which focused on providing services grounded in Applied Behavior Analysis. Throughout this time, she has been a guest lecturer at Keene State College and provided numerous workshops on autism and ABA. In 2009, Kim merged her practice with John Moran to form a NH-based consulting group, Constellations Behavioral Services, LLC. Kim specializes in functional behavioral assessments, curriculum assessment and program development for young children with autism, data collection and analysis, Discrete Trial instruction, play-based learning, incidental teaching, pivotal response training, and functional communication training.

Cathy Jones, PhD, BCBA, has worked with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders for over a decade. She began her work as an undergraduate and graduate studentat Wesleyan University. She continued her training at the Claremont Autism Center while pursing her doctorate degree in Applied Developmental Psychology. Most recently, Dr. Jones has worked as a behavioral and educational consultant for students in public schools throughout New Hampshire.

Amanda N. Kelly, MS Ed, BCBA, has been working with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders since 2000 when she began providing in-home discrete trial services. Amanda has since worked directly in homes with over 20 families, as well as in private special needs schools, public schools, integrated centers and residential facilities. Amanda has worked as an Instructional Assistant, 1:1 Inclusion Facilitator, a Classroom Special Education Teacher, and as a Behavior Consultant. Presently, Amanda is serving in the role of Coordinator of ABA Services for the SEEM Collaborative as well as a BCBA® Mentor for Masters Degree students at Simmons College. Amanda received her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education at Shepherd College, her Masters of Science degree in Behavioral Education at Simmons College and is currently completing her third year in the PhD program in Applied Behavior Analysis, also at Simmons College. Amanda earned her Board Certification as an Associate Behavior Analyst (BCaBA®) in 2005, and more recently obtained her Board Certification as a Behavior Analyst (BCBA®) at the Masters level in Spring 2008.

Amanda's current interests lie in evaluating and designing a stronger systems approach in school settings (both public and private) for all students. She is currently involved in researching Higher Education options and potential solutions for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders as the focus of her doctoral dissertation.

Kim M. Kelly, PhD, BCBA, is the Vice President of Clinical Services and one of the co-founders of The Institute of Professional Practice, Inc., a non-profit human service and educational organization. Dr. Kelly brings with her 30 years of experience in community services for people with developmental disabilities, education and intervention strategies for children with autism, research, and staff training. Her professional interests include autism spectrum disorder, developmental disabilities, creating safe and respectful environments, multicultural education, and applied behavior analysis. She has published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disabilities, co-written book chapters, presented at local and national conferences and taught as adjunct faculty at several colleges. Dr. Kelly completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Minnesota, graduating summa cum laude. She earned her masters and doctorate in psychology at the University of Vermont.

John Moran, EdD, BCBA, is in private practice as an educational consultant with twenty years experience working with children with autism spectrum disorders. He provides consultation services to families, school districts, and developmental disabilities agencies throughout New England. John holds a Masters in Special Education from Johnson State and a Doctorate in Education from Nova Southeastern University. John has served on the faculty of Antioch's Autism Spectrum Disorders Certificate Program and also at Keene State College.

Ann Poppenga, MS Ed, BCBA has been Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA®) since 2003. Ann has worked closely with special needs students, their families and school systems since 1998. In that time, she has provided direct ABA intervention to children on the autistic spectrum and other developmental disabilities as well as consultation to school programs and home based programs. Additionally, she has conducted numerous training seminars to public school personnel on Applied Behavior Analysis. Ann also teaches graduate courses in behavior analysis for Endicott College and is the Vice Chairperson of the Holbrook School Committee in Holbrook Massachusetts.

Last Updated: 2/25/12