Our Staff

Jessica Owens

Head of School

Dr. Owens has over fifteen years of experience as a speech and language pathologist. She holds a clinical specialty in autism spectrum disorder and is a certified youth mental health specialist. Dr. Owens has worked in private day and residential schools for individuals with autism for the past twelve years. Her doctoral work focused on successful postsecondary transition for individuals with autism. She lives in Greensboro with her family. Her autistic son attends Lionheart.

Sandy Eaton

Director of Business & Finance

Dr. Owens has over fifteen years of experience as a speech and language pathologist. She holds a clinical specialty in autism spectrum disorder and is a certified youth mental health specialist. Dr. Owens has worked in private day and residential schools for individuals with autism for the past twelve years. Her doctoral work focused on successful postsecondary transition for individuals with autism. She lives in Greensboro with her family. Her autistic son attends Lionheart.

Daisha Brown

Dean of Behavioral Sciences

Daisha Brown is a Registered Behavior Technician. She brings a wealth of experience with Autism, including, working for a psychologist, running her own small business, and providing individualized instruction to children with behavioral and learning needs. She is currently pursuing a BCBA and is loving every minute of her learning experience in working with students on the spectrum. Daisha hails from Brooklyn, NY, and has family in both NY and NC. She loves both the lifestyle of the country and the city.

September Ward

DIVISION HEAD – ACADEMICS | MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER

September Ward graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2010 with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree and in 2013 with a Master’s Degree in Specialized Education Services.  She taught general education 6th grade math at the Academy of Lincoln and special education 6th grade math at Southeast Guilford Middle School.  Before becoming a teacher, Ms. Ward worked 5 years for a private family who had two young boys diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder under the advisement of a Behavioral Analyst.   It was these two boys who made her fall in love with teaching and special education.

In her spare time, Ms. Ward enjoys reading, listening to audio books, watching movies, going to antique stores, telling cheesy jokes, and going for walks outside.  She has two kitties, Pistachio and Spud and drives her dream car, a Mini Cooper S.  Finally, she would like to leave you with this thought…….Why can a nose not be 12 inches long?  Because then it would be a foot!

Laura Pearman

Office Assistant

I moved to North Carolina when I was in Kindergarten. My husband, Greg, and I have two children, Jackson (16) and Matthew (14). I love to read, watch movies with my family, play card/board games and watch baseball! I was a Stay at home mom for 16 years, homeschooling Matthew for six years of that. I also worked our family law office and United Guaranty, a mortgage Insurance company before becoming a stay at home mom.

Sarah Carlton

Academic Interventionist

Born and raised in Greensboro, NC. One Catahoula Leopard dog named Russ (four legged son)

4 years at Lionheart Academy as a TA and Habilitation Technician, 3 years at Triad Coordinated Services as a Habilitation Technician, 3 years of Autism Society of NC as a Habilitation Technician and aftercare specialist.

Eager to get to to know all the new students and staff and work together to make Lionheart better than ever.

Mrs. Butwinski

High School ELA

I have lived in the Triad area for most of my life. I am married to my husband, Matthew and have a son, Sebastian who is a rising Junior at UNC Greensboro. In my free time, I enjoy working in my yard, playing with my 2 dogs, getting lost in a Netflix movie or series, and gathering with friends and family for good food, laughter, and conversation. I also enjoy being crafty and finding creative and inexpensive ways to renovate and decorate our 100-old-home.

Ms. Starling

High School ELA

I was born and raised in Greensboro and I love the area! I am the oldest of 3- I have a sister named Tener and a brother named Will. My sister moved back to Greensboro this past year and it has been a blast getting to live with her again as an adult! We have a 15 year old Jack Russell Terrier named Cammie who is just as spunky as she was the day we brought her home. She loves to go on walks and get Pup Cups from Starbucks! In my free-time I enjoy working out, reading, being outside and spending time with my friends and family.

Dr. Koch

High School Science / Social Studies

I grew up in Amarillo, Texas. I then moved to Seguin, TX for college and Houston, TX for graduate school. I met my husband, Nick, in graduate school. I followed him to his first job in South Carolina and 12 years later to his second job in Greensboro. We have two children, Amber (14) and Nolan (10) who will both be attending Lionheart in the fall. We also have two cats!

Most recently, I have been doing informal science education at the Greensboro Science Center, but I have also been a substitute teacher and worked in a research lab.