Vestavia Hills City Schools

Please contact the VHCS Department of Exceptional Education for assistance:

Katie McCarthy

Katie McCarthy is the Exceptional Education Program Coordinator in the Vestavia Hills City School system. Katie has been an exceptional education teacher for 9 years. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Collaborative Special Education for grades K-12 and a Masters degree in Early Childhood Special Education, both from Auburn University. She also has an Instructional Leadership certificate from Samford University. Katie has taught students in the resource, inclusion, and Life Skills setting. She is a proud Vestavia Hills City School alumni, and is passionate about serving her community by providing students with an educational experience that promotes independence and instills confidence in all students so that they can truly learn without limits. She is thrilled to serve teachers, administrators, and parents as they instruct, support, and advocate for the students of Vestavia Hills City Schools.
Keta Peterson, Administrative Assistant
Rebekah Rodgers, School Psychometrist

Mrs. Rebekah Rodgers is a School Psychometrist for Vestavia Hills City Schools. Rebekah attended Samford University where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood, Special Education in Early Childhood, Elementary and Collaborative Education. She spent the first five years of her educational career in the classroom as a special education teacher teaching grades 3rd through 5th grade, and preschool ages 2-5. Upon completion of her School Psychometry Masters degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Rebekah began working as a School Psychometrist. The past 5 years she has served as a school psych for multiple schools in the Tuscaloosa County district. Rebekah also has an Instructional Leadership certificate from the University of Alabama. Rebekah begins year 11 in education at Vestavia Hills. She has a passion for working with students who have special needs, and assisting special education teachers to help students reach their greatest potential. She is eager to meet the students, staff and parents of Vestavia Hills City Schools!
Casey Scroggins, School Psychologist

Mrs. Casey Scroggins is a School Psychologist in the Vestavia Hills City School system. She received an Educational Specialist degree in School Psychology from the University of Alabama in 2002. Casey has worked with therapeutic foster homes and in school systems in Alabama since 2002. In 2021, she earned a second Masters of Education degree in School Counseling and is currently an Associate Licensed Counselor working toward her Licensed Professional Counseling certification. Casey has led professional development for administrators, teachers and staff at school systems and professional conferences in Alabama. Casey values the team approach to serving students within the school system and works to provide comprehensive evaluations to ensure that teams have the data they need to provide the most appropriate services to all students.
Kelly Autry, Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Ms. Kelly Autry is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) for Vestavia Hills City Schools. She has been a BCBA for 13 years. She graduated from Auburn University with her undergraduate degree in Psychology in 2008 and her master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis in 2010. Kelly has worked in a variety of settings including residential, home, clinic, and schools with children and adolescents with autism and other disabilities as well as neurotypical children. She has experience in the areas of skill acquisition, behavior reduction, crisis management, response to intervention, and teacher and parent training. Kelly enjoys building relationships between students, staff, and families to promote a collaborative team in which all parties learn and thrive.
Hayden Stricklin, Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Mrs. Hayden Stricklin is a District Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in the Vestavia Hills City School system. She has been a BCBA for 6 years and has provided services across home, residential, clinical, and school settings. Hayden has a Bachelor of Science degree in Educational Counseling from Birmingham-Southern College and a Master’s degree in Psychology, emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of Southern Mississippi. She specializes in working with school-aged children with autism and other exceptionalities and most recently has expanded work into RTI/ MTSS and trauma-informed practices to support students of all abilities. Hayden has led several caregiver and staff trainings on behavior support and interventions as well as the basic principles of ABA. She values working on interdisciplinary teams to ensure best practices are provided to staff, students, and their families and believes in the power of collaboration.