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Our Team
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Dr. Kathryn DuBray
Hi, I'm the co-founder of Anniston Academy. As both a Licensed Master Social Worker, and mother of an autistic son, I have experienced firsthand the gaps in traditional education models—the struggle to find a space where children are truly understood, supported, and given the tools to thrive in their own unique ways. My journey as both a parent and a professional has deepened my passion for inclusive education, neurodiversity, and holistic child development. My mission is to bridge the gaps between education and therapeutic support, ensuring that no child is left behind simply because they need something different to succeed.
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I built Anniston Academy to be a safe, supportive, and enriching space for children (and families!) who don’t always fit into or prefer traditional educational molds. I wanted to create a school that:
✅ Honors neurodiversity & different learning styles
✅ Provides built-in therapeutic supports within the school day
✅ Fosters independence, creativity, and self-confidence
✅ Empowers families as partners in their child’s education
✅ Celebrates each child’s unique strengths while providing the tools to navigate challenges.
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I am honored to bring this vision to life through Anniston Academy, and I look forward to building a school where every child—regardless of their learning style, diagnosis, or challenges—feels valued, capable, and set up for lifelong success.
Dr. Erin Mekkaoui
As an early childhood educator and mom of two boys, my passion for inclusive, child-centered education is both deeply personal and lifelong.
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I’m a proud Cookeville native with degrees from Tennessee Tech and Carson-Newman, including a Doctorate in Education. I'm licensed to teach PreK–3, Special Education PreK–3, and ESOL K–12. After seven years teaching kindergarten and first grade, I left the classroom and launched a curriculum company focused on providing literacy resources for K–3 educators.
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My journey into education began long before my professional career. My younger brother, Tyler, had autism. Growing up alongside him shaped my understanding of learning, communication, and connection in profound ways. I was the tag-along sibling at many of his appointments and witnessed firsthand how life-changing the right resources and support can be—for both children and their families. Though he has since passed away, his life and legacy continue to guide the heart of everything I do.
​​Throughout my work as a teacher, parent, and educational leader, I’ve seen the challenges families face when schools aren’t designed with neurodiversity in mind. I believe in student-led, hands-on learning experiences that are developmentally appropriate and designed to spark curiosity, independence, and a lifelong love of learning. That’s why I wholeheartedly believe in Anniston Academy and its power to reimagine what school can be for students who experience the world differently.