Vestavia Hills City Schools

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.

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. 

Sara Katherine Janecky is a School Psychometrist with Vestavia Hills City Schools. She brings two years of experience as an Academic Interventionist and thirteen years as an Exceptional Education teacher. Sara Katherine earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Birmingham Southern College, as well as a Master’s Degree in Collaborative Education and Certification in School Psychometry from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is also a National Board Certified Teacher specializing in Exceptional Needs. Committed to collaboration, Sara Katherine values building strong relationships with students, their families, and colleagues. She is dedicated to working collaboratively to provide the necessary supports that enable students to reach their fullest potential. Sara Katherine is honored to have the opportunity to serve the students, families, and faculty members of Vestavia Hills 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! 

Lesley C. Rupp is the Elementary Program Specialist for the Vestavia Hills City School system. She has been teaching special education at Vestavia Hills High School since 2012. Lesley holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, a Masters degree in Secondary Social Sciences, and a Masters degree in Collaborative Special Education. She is proud to be an alumni of both Samford University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Lesley is devoted to serving the community by fostering opportunities for students to flourish while learning without limits. She is excited about serving students and parents by supporting teachers, administrators, and support personnel.

Casey Scroggins, School Psychologist

Mrs. Casey Scroggins is the Secondary Program Specialist,   District 504 Coordinator, and a School Psychologist. She received an Educational Specialist degree in School Psychology from the University of Alabama. Casey has worked with therapeutic foster homes and in school systems in Alabama since 2002. She also holds a second Masters of Education degree in School Counseling and a 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 with school teams to ensure that all of our students have the opportunity to Learn Without Limits.  

Hayden Stricklin, Board Certified Behavior Analyst