Bethanie Simon earned both her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and her Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Louisiana State University. Bethanie has worked at Brighthouse Learning Academy since 2020, assisting students with a range of social and emotional needs, training staff to provide appropriate support and accommodations, and assisting with administrative tasks as Mrs. Tinker’s second in command. Now, Bethanie primarily works administratively so that she can better provide support as a leader for the staff and families of Brighthouse. She plans all of the events Brighthouse hosts and attends, sends daily communication to staff and families, keeps forms and documents updated, creates and posts for the BLA social media pages, assists students with spur of the moment needs, and steps in where help is needed! Bethanie’s goal as the Program Coordinator is to work collaboratively with staff, families, and community partners to provide the most holistic care for our students. In her time off, Bethanie enjoys quality time with her husband and dachshund Macie, reading, game nights with friends and family, and taking scenic walks when the weather is nice!

Rev. Aaron Gordon joined the Brighthouse team in the 2025-2026 school year. Aaron started his professional training with a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering in 2001. Aaron worked as a graduate teaching assistant at Virginia Tech where he staffed the computer electronics laboratory. Aaron worked as an engineer, manager, and consultant before starting his own construction company. In 2006, Aaron and his wife Jennifer were scouted by Forward Edge International to serve as field staff in New Orleans. Their mission was to fundraise, manage, and host volunteer construction teams assisting with tier 2 disaster response to Hurricane Katrina. After this mission was completed, Aaron was encouraged to enter the ordination candidacy program for the Presbyterian church. He attended Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and graduated with a Master of Divinity degree in 2013. He was ordained as a hospital chaplain and then served as pastor of several churches. In 2012 Aaron was diagnosed with Pervasive Development Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Around this time his two sons were also diagnosed with neurodivergent conditions. Raising two neuro-divergent children and investigating his own neurodivergence allows Aaron to have compassion and patience while serving the Brighthouse community with IT support. Aaron also works in various capacities with local churches. Aaron enjoys camping, biking, video games, and doing projects with friends.

Amanda Whitehead joined the Brighthouse team in the 2026-2027 school year. Amanda graduated from Pearl River High School (PRHS) and went on to Southeastern Louisiana University, where she earned her degree in Middle School Math and Science. She later earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Administration. Amanda has proudly served in education for 17 years, and she is dedicated to helping our Brighthouse students learn, grow, and reach their full potential through a relatable and engaging approach.

Amanda is thrilled to join Brighthouse Learning Academy as a part-time art teacher for the 2025-2026 school year. Her son, Tobin, began 5th grade at BLA in 2024, and she and her husband, Jonathan, have been overjoyed by his continued growth in the Brighthouse community. Amanda received her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from LSU in 2000 and her Master of Communication Disorders/Speech-Language Pathology from LSUHSC New Orleans in 2004. For the past twenty years, she has provided speech and language therapy to neurodivergent children in grades PK-12 grades across New Orleans schools and private practice settings. Her professional work included supporting students with a wide range of speech and language-learning differences, including apraxia, phonological and auditory processing, sensory processing, autism, ADHD, dyslexia, hyperlexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia. She has studied “gestalt language processing”, a developmental style common among autistic children, and incorporates that knowledge into her teaching and therapy approaches. Above all, Amanda believes in building strong, trust-based connections with students. She focuses on celebrating their strengths while providing individualized support for language-learning challenges. Outside of school, Amanda enjoys exploring small towns such as Abita Springs, gardening, watching old house restoration projects, going “trainspotting” with her son, attending music concerts with her husband, and vacationing with friends and family. She is delighted that she, Jonathan, and Tobin are part of the Brighthouse Learning Academy family.

Bernadette Lala, cheerfully known as "Mrs. B" by her students, joined the Brighthouse team in the 2024-2025 school year. Bernadette is Mom to her 16-year-old son, Sebastian, and wife of 31 years to her husband, Dominick. Bernadette stays busy running her Able Fit program for Brighthouse students and for her own business, as well as fundraising for iPads for nonverbal children and other Brighthouse fundraising efforts. Able Fit is an adaptive special needs program Bernadette created that specializes in adaptive fitness as well as life and social skills for individuals with special needs. Bernadette is a certified adaptive special needs personal trainer, special needs life skills and social skills trainer, as well as a special needs nutrition instructor. Having a neurodivergent son, along with coaching her Able Fit students, Bernadette is equipped with the tools, experience, and resources needed to fit the various needs, roles, diversity, and abilities of her students. She realizes the importance of finding unique and engaging ways to teach so that her students are eager, excited, and interested in learning. Bernadette believes in a hands-on, learning-through-doing teaching approach. During her time off, Bernadette enjoys spending time at the beach, cooking, and being outdoors. She also spends her extra time as a Eucharistic Minister and assisting with the special needs mass at her local church. One of Bernadette’s favorite quotes is: “One person can make a difference and everyone should try.” - JFK.

Christine Suggs joined the Brighthouse team in the 2025-2026 school year. Christine attended the University of California, Berkeley on a full scholarship and earned a B.A. in English. She participated on the U.S. Women’s National Field Hockey team, which allowed her to explore almost every continent. Christine then attended LSU where she earned her M.A.T. and was awarded the Holmes Award for exemplary academics as well as student- teaching. She has taught ELA, Math and Science in grades K-12 for over 10 years. When Christine is not teaching, you might find her at the park playing with her two children, or curled up at Barnes & Noble with a coffee and a good book. Christine comes to us with enthusiasm and heart for our 2E students and hopes to teach our children while continuously cultivating trust and respect.

Gabbi Garbarnio joined Brighthouse Learning Academy for the 2026-2027 school year as the Home Economics teacher. She graduated from Southeastern University Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Education. Gabbi completed her residency at Abita Springs Elementary. She is excited to be a part of such an amazing team at Brighthouse. She wants to provide the students with unique skills to help build their self-confidence through cooking, sewing, and creativity. In her spare time Gabbi enjoys volunteering at the Humane Society in Covington. She also enjoys reading, painting, and traveling with her family.

Jonnie Tinker has been a beloved member of the Brighthouse team since 2020 working as a teacher for multiple subjects. He has a knack for learning his students’ stories and personalities, making them comfortable and at ease, facilitating a positive learning environment, and building rapport through humor and creative activities. Jonnie has a vast array of interests that include health and fitness, geography, chess, computers and technology, and much more. He has a passion for teaching students about health and wellness, proper form for lifting weights, and helping students to build confidence. Jonnie loves working with kids while having a positive, patient, and reinforcing attitude. He is dedicated to set our students up for a lifetime of success and happiness!

Kirsten is a Chemistry PhD graduate from the University of New Orleans and is currently in her first year teaching high school Physical Science and Math at Brighthouse Learning Academy for the 2026-2027 school year. She has always had a love for science, but what she enjoys most is sharing that passion with her students and experiencing those special “lightbulb moments” when something finally clicks. Kirsten brings a unique perspective and understanding of the 2e (twice-exceptional) population. Growing up with teachers in her family who work with these amazing students, she has had the opportunity to learn from them and gain a deeper appreciation for the strengths, challenges, and individuality that make each student unique. Outside of the classroom, Kirsten enjoys theater, sports, music, meaningful conversations, and plenty of laughter. She is passionate about learning, connecting with others, and helping students recognize just how capable and amazing they truly are.

Nichole Zoller comes to Brighthouse in the 2026-2027 school year as an educator, local commissioned artist, Marine Corps veteran, and proud mother of seven who brings a unique blend of service, leadership, creativity, and real-world experience to her work with students. Nichole served 14 years in the United States Marine Corps, with her service dedicated to logistics and mission support. Her military experience included supporting Marines as they transitioned home from demanding deployments, experiences that would strengthen her understanding of resilience, mindset, leadership, and the importance of caring for the whole person. As a mother of seven, she brings a deep understanding of the individual needs, personalities, strengths, and challenges that make every child unique. Nichole is a lifelong artist and local commissioned artist who believes creativity is an essential part of learning. Through her art, she brings imagination, hands-on making, problem-solving, perseverance, and self-expression into the Art Studio. She believes students learn best when they are given opportunities to create, explore, take risks, and discover their own gifts. Her approach to education is rooted in service and relationships. Whether serving Marines, raising her children, supporting young learners, or creating art for her community, Nichole is passionate about helping others recognize their strengths and discover what they are capable of becoming. She is honored to bring that passion to the Brighthouse Learning Academy community.

Rebekah graduated from Northshore Technical Community College with a Technical Degree in Drafting & Design. Since then she has held jobs in many different fields, but her best role has been raising her own child with learning disabilities. This has given her the experience and patience to work with BLA’s twice exceptional students. In her spare time Rebekah enjoys gardening, swimming, biking and fishing. Rebekah’s calm demeanor, perseverance, and meticulous organization skills make her a great help with all of the administrative tasks throughout the school.

Renée Cambre joined the BLA team in 2024 teaching Reading, ELA, and Social Studies to our 5th – 8th grade students. The daughter and granddaughter of educators, she’s embarked on a second career as an educator following a successful 30-year career as a healthcare revenue cycle sales executive. Renée earned an MBA from Tulane University, graduating in the top 10% of her class, where she was inducted into the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society. She also holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of New Orleans, where she was inducted into the Golden Key National Honor Society. Renée has experience providing academic and social-emotional support to 2e students to enable success in college prep curriculums and life. Her goal is to help fill the void in today’s education system for high functioning ASD youth by fostering pragmatic social skills needed to forge the social connections they seek and require to thrive personally, academically, and professionally. She enjoys traveling and the outdoors; she is an avid SEC and Saints football fan; and she is an active member of Our Lady of the Lake Roman Catholic Church in Mandeville, where she serves as a Lector, Commentator, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, and a Women’s Bible Study Group Leader.

Sarah McNeil came to Brighthouse at the end of the 2020-2021 school year to teach our students Physical Education (PE) and Nutrition. Sarah received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Louisiana State University and her Master of Science Degree in Exercise Physiology from the University of Akron. Sarah has worked as a Fitness Director, Fitness Studio Manager, Personal Trainer and owns her own company helping people from all ages and walks of life reach their fitness and health goals. Her approach is to make fitness and nutrition fun and to help students create sustainable, active, and healthy lifestyles. She enjoys traveling the world, paddleboarding, swimming, hiking and running for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Her hope is to inspire the kids to find their passion and use it to find ways to incorporate activity into their lifestyle.