Rebecca joined Sammy's House in July 2011. She has two years of grantseeking and grantwriting experience in a nonprofit setting, as well as two years of experience in writing instruction and consultation. Rebecca has a Bachelor's degree in English from Southwestern University and a Master's degree in Linguistics from the University of Texas at Austin.

“The more I learn at Sammy's House, the more amazed I am by the truly wonderful work that goes on in every classroom. I love telling the story of our organization and raising awareness of our mission throughout the community, letting people experience the same sense of appreciation that I feel every day I'm here. I consider myself lucky to be able to do my part to help the children at Sammy's House. If I can engage just one more donor or build just one additional relationship, I know that contributes to an improvement in the lives of the families who rely on us.”

Samantha joined the Sammy's House team in April 2011. She has a Bachelor's degree in Applied Learning and Development from the University of Texas at Austin. Her major was Youth and Community Studies, with a minor in Childhood Studies. She has four years of experience in the child care industry and one year specifically working as an ABA behavior therapist.  

“I have a deep-seated passion for working with children. Children are the future of our world, and I love knowing that I have an opportunity to make a difference in our future by making a difference in the lives of children. My heart is nearest to children with special needs. What will their future be and how will they impact the world? At Sammy's House, I can make a difference in the lives of these children, while at the same time recognizing that they're shaping my own future and the person I become. I make a difference each day by making a plan for each individual child through a systematic method of monitoring, assessing, and fine-tuning my teaching style. I can make sure children of all abilities have access to intervention strategies and a stimulating environment so that they reach a higher level of success in their school and in their community.”

Autumn DeHoyos has nine years of experience working with children who are medically fragile and developmentally delayed. She specializes in the care of children with multiple disabilities. Autumn has received extensive training in infant and toddler care.

"I was first exposed to the beauty of special children when my younger brother was born medically fragile and developmentally delayed. Although it was a very difficult experience in my life, I've been able to share the gifts and lessons my brother gave me with the many children I care for at Sammy’s House."

Lindsay joined the Sammy's House team as an educator in our toddler classroom in October 2011. She has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a minor in Sociology and has nine years of experience in the child care industry working with children 18 months – 13 years old.    

"I'm a people person. I like to direct my energy to places and good works that have the most impact in the lives of others. I enjoy and celebrate the children’s achievements and rejoice in their growth and progression.  I believe that all children have the basic right to be safe and accepted, and to have access to programs that are individualized, allowing them to work at their own pace. It's my mission to help children develop empathy, helping them relate to others and find a sense of community. I strive to create a classroom where everyone feels loved and can thrive in a cooperative spirit."

Sally joined  the Sammy's House staff in March 2011. She has five years of experience in the child care industry and five years of experience as a volunteer in a primary educational setting.

“After spending years in the education field, I was hoping for more. I wanted to personally help children find the inner strength to reach their full potential and make the most of their lives. It's so exciting to continually watch children grow, develop, and learn new things as the weeks and months go by. Many people don’t realize how important and special the infancy years truly are. It's a time when young children are just beginning to interact with the world and it's such a pleasure to be a part of that. During my time in the infant classroom at Sammy's House, I’ve learned to take the lead from the babies themselves and use their differences to tell me how to respond to each of them most effectively. We follow a different pace here at Sammy's House, unlike anything I’ve experienced in other settings – a true hands-on approach to care and education.”

Kirsten has been with Sammy’s House since 2008. During her time with the organization, she has served as a respite care coordinator and an infant/toddler teacher. She has 10 years of experience in early childhood care. Kristen has degrees in Liberal Arts and Culinary Arts and is currently completing an Associates degree in Child Development.

“The people at Sammy’s House have always been like family to me. When I’m in the classroom, it's my home away from home. The kids are full of wonder and curiosity and everyone loves them as if they were their own. I share the same philosophy and goals for children that Sammy's House promotes: we want kids to be happy, nurtured, and their days filled with fun. I believe that children need a chance to be children first and foremost, not just a child labeled with a diagnosis or a special need. I look forward to coming to work every day and watching the children grow and change. I consider myself blessed to be a part of the Sammy’s House family.” 

Josie joined the Sammy's House team as a summer camp counselor in May 2010. Josie is the “catch-all girl”: she is a substitute early childhood teacher and a respite caregiver, and she also teaches in every Sammy's House classroom, working with children of every age. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and Public Relations. In 2012, she became certified to teach ESL from early childhood through 6th grade. Josie has 11 years of experience working with children in the child care industry and two years in a formal school setting.

“I came to Sammy’s House as a volunteer while I was in an Individual Difference class at UT. I fell in love with the environment Sammy’s House created for the children. When you find something right, you just know it! I wanted to be a part of the growth that I saw in the children there. I have a great desire to help them become amazing people who can reach their full potential. I often find myself playing the role of student when I'm with the children because they teach me so much every day. It is so easy for us to put mental limitations on people based on their physical appearance or their disability, but the kids will only surprise you. They repeatedly exceed my expectations and leave me in awe of their abilities. Because of these daily realizations that emerge from the children, I experience teaching as a newcomer every day –each day is a new day on the job.”

Courtney joined the Sammy's House team as a summer camp counselor in June 2010. She has four years of experience working with children ages 3-9 years old, and she has 1.5 years of experience working with children who have special needs. Courtney currently works in our after-school program.   

"After summer camp, I just couldn’t stay away. I missed the kids and the excitement of seeing them learning and playing every day. The children have taught me so much, helping me recreate myself into a new and better person. I work very hard to fashion a learning environment that will help them succeed in life, a kind of  success that will give them the freedom to have choices in their lives. I want them to develop friendships, socialize, communicate, control their behaviors, and take control of their own future and happiness, not just sit back watching everyone else be happy around them. It does take work, but together the children and I can work together to achieve these goals."

Leasing Agent, Live Oak-Gottesman

After moving to Austin from Houston in 1995 to attend the University of Texas and obtaining a BBA in Finance, Scott worked for Austin businessman Lowell Lebermann where he was fortunate to meet and forge relationships with many of Austin's business and philanthropic leaders.  Among them was real estate developer Sandy Gottesman for whom he has worked since 2000.  Scott is married to wife Kate who is a pediatric nurse practitioner.  They have a 6 month old daughter Brynn Harper Flack.

Senior Technical Director, AT&T
Parent of a Special Needs Child

Diane Kearns was raised in Austin, graduating from Westwood High School and Concordia Lutheran University.  She spent nine years in New York City working at the ABC Television Network, and then moved to the fast-paced world of Internet start-ups in both New York City and the San Francisco Bay area.  Diane returned to Austin in 2001 with her husband Don, and currently works in the IT department of AT&T.  They have 3 children, twins Dean & Vivian, and Beck.  Dean has cerebral palsy and is visually impaired.  Through his disability, Diane was introduced to Sammy's House, and has been a volunteer since 2004.

Partner, Ascendant Engineering Solutions
Parent of a Special Needs Child

Bill has an engineering degree and is a partner in Ascendant Engineering Solutions, a Sammy’s House supporter. Bill has lived in Texas for over 25 years and held positions with Texas Instruments, Raytheon, Eastman Kodak and other firms. Bill and his wife Mary have lived in Liberty Hill for the past 10 years and have two children, Marissa and Bryan. Bill became involved in Sammy’s House after hearing about the organization through friends. He has been on the board since 2004 and has held several positions including chairman.