Our Team

Educational Services Director

Catey Funaiock, MS, is the Director of Educational Services at Early Emory. She guides teachers in curriculum development and creation of developmentally appropriate activities. She manages licensing requirements for the state and makes sure all policies and procedures are followed. Ms. Funaiock received her BS from Georgia State University in Psychology and her MS in Special Education from the University of North Dakota. She trained for eight years at The Marcus Autism Center and taught for eight years in Gwinnett County Schools as a severe autism teacher for K-5 and served as a district mentor teacher. She is well versed in the IEP process and is able to guide families through resources they may need for their child. She grew up in Allen, TX, but has spent most of her life in Atlanta. In her free time, Ms. Funaiock enjoys traveling to any warm beach or cabin retreat. She is a proud aunt and enjoys spending time with her family. She is a dog mom to an amazing one-eyed pit bull rescue and a cat mom to a toothless, old, black cat. 

Behavioral Support Director

Debbie Cifuentes, MEd, BCBA, works at Early Emory as the Associate Director of Clinical Services where she oversees ABA therapy for children between the ages of 2-5 in a naturalistic classroom setting. Ms. Cifuentes received her BA from Emory University and her MEd from Arizona State University. Ms. Cifuentes was born at Atlanta’s Grady Hospital and grew up in Georgia. In her free time, she enjoys travelling, cooking and reading. 

Behavioral Support Training Lead

Allie Beck, MA, BCBA, is Assistant Director for Training at Early Emory and works with Ms. Debbie Cifuentes to train and supervise RBTs and develop appropriate individualized autism intervention programs for children in the preschool. Ms. Beck enjoys communicating with parents to further assist skill acquisition within the home and teaching others how to implement ABA concepts within their practice. Ms. Beck received her BS in Psychology from Kennesaw State University and her MA in Applied Behavioral Analysis from Ball State University. She grew up in Powder Springs, GA, but has lived in various metropolitan cities for 20 years, including 10 years in Atlanta. In her free time, Ms. Beck enjoys hiking, playing on her Nintendo Switch and cooking.  

Nicole Gonzalez works as the lead teacher in the Ladybugs classroom at Early Emory. She collaborates with other teachers and staff members to create an optimal learning and care environment and communicates regularly with parents. Ms. Gonzalez received her BS in Criminal Justice from Georgia State University and a certificate in Forensic Science from Atlanta Technical College. Ms. Gonzalez was born in Miami, FL, and lived there for nine years before moving to Atlanta, GA, with her family. In her free time, she enjoys traveling the world and spending most of her time at the beach. When not at the beach, she hangs out with her family and friends. 

Lindsay Carter, MEd, focuses on implementing Applied Behavior Analysis principles within the Early Emory classrooms. She assists with data collection, implementing the treatment plans and training Registered Behavior Technicians. Ms. Carter received her MEd from Arizona State University. Ms. Carter grew up in Ohio but has lived in Atlanta for about six years and has always been very passionate about working with children. She enjoys providing additional support to the students to help them thrive in the classroom. In the long run, this will help the students generalize the learned skills into other settings such as at home or within their communities. 

Stephanie Hernandez is a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) at Early Emory Autism Center. Ms. Hernandez works with children on the autism spectrum disorder by providing applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy to children in the classroom. Ms. Hernandez received her BS from Clayton State University and is currently pursuing her master’s in applied behavior analysis at Arizona State University to become a BCBA. During her free time, she goes on hikes with her family and friends. 

Monique Washington is a Registered Behavioral Technician (RBT II) at Early Emory. Ms. Washington’s job gives her meaningful relationships with incredible kids, clinicians and caregivers as she is able to help kids functionally communicate their needs, wants and emotions. Ms. Washington received her BS in Psychology with a Minor in Sociology from Georgia State University, and is currently studying towards her master's in Special Education (Applied Behavior Analysis) from Arizona State University. She was born in Houston, TX, but has been in Georgia most of her life. Some significant life accomplishments to Ms. Washington are being married to her college sweetheart and creating four beautiful little girls: a five-year-old, three-year-old and a set of fraternal twins. Ms. Washington enjoys going shopping and vacationing. 

LeOra Butcher works at Early Emory as a Registered Behavior Technician. She received her BS from East Carolina University in Health And Human Performance - Therapeutic Recreation. She is currently attending Purdue University Global for an MS degree in Applied Behavior Analysis. Ms. Butcher has always worked in the special education setting and has a passion for helping others, especially those that need that extra attention. Ms. Butcher has been married for 25 years and has two wonderful children and a sweet miniature schnauzer. She enjoys vacationing with family, participating in her church community and spending quality time with loved ones. She also enjoys watching Duke basketball and the Atlanta Braves.