Staff

(front:  Laura Perry and Leigh Ann Strain; back:  Lisa Simmons, Megan Dannar, Kara Wilson)

Leigh Ann Strain, M.S., BCBA – Program Director 

Leigh Ann is originally from Birmingham, AL and received both degrees (B.A. and M.S.) from Auburn University.  Her graduate training is in the area of Applied Behavior Analysis and Leigh Ann has been a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) since 2004.  Upon completing her M.S. she moved to Mobile, AL to work at The Learning Tree, Inc. where she remained for 4 years before moving to Atlanta to work at Marcus Autism Center.  In May 2009, Leigh Ann returned to The Learning Tree, Inc. family to work at The Little Tree-Auburn as the Pre-K teacher and BCBA supervisor.   She is currently working towards teacher certification in the state of Alabama and serves as Program Director. 

Laura Perry, M.Ed. – Teacher

Laura grew up in Wedowee, AL and has been working with the Little Tree-Auburn since it opened in August 2005. She received an Associate's degree in Science from Southern Union State Community College prior to obtaining her Bachelor's in Psychology. Laura later went on to graduate from Auburn University Montgomery with a Master's degree in Early Childhood Special Education.  She is a certified teacher and serves as Lead Teacher in our 3-4 year-old classroom.

Lisa Simmons. M.S. – Teacher

Lisa grew up in Birmingham and graduated from Auburn University ('08) with a degree in Psychology. Upon graduation, she worked for one year as a RSS at The Learning Tree in Tallassee.  In fall of 2009, Lisa moved to New York City to begin graduate school at Teachers College, Columbia University's Graduate School of Education. After two years in lively NYC, and with a Master’s degree in Developmental Psychology under her belt, Lisa made her way back to the southeast in June of 2011. She is currently working towards teacher certification in the state of Alabama and serves as Lead Teacher in our Pre-K classroom. 

Kara Wilson, B.A. – Teacher Assistant

Kara is originally from Gadsden, Alabama and graduated from Auburn University in May 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Spanish. She is planning on attending graduate school to obtain a Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis.  Kara first became interested in helping children with developmental disabilities, such as autism, while working as a summer camp counselor for Camp Sumatanga. She has a strong passion for kids and reports a love of seeing them learn and grow each and every day. 

Megan Dannar, B.A. – Teacher Assistant

Megan and her daughter, Layla, moved from Honolulu, Hawaii to Auburn almost three years ago.  Megan started working at Little Tree in June 2011 and studied Fine Arts at the University of Hawaii.  She has recently discovered an interest in Speech Pathology.  Megan loves spending time with her daughter by going to the park and is a member of Cornerstone Methodist Church where she volunteers also.