Amber Hockensmith

Founder & President

Mackinzie Gaskins

Co-Founder & Vice President

Bonnie Watson

Treasurer · Owner, Gold Standard Behavior Change Services

Jessica

Volunteer

Sarah

Volunteer

Lauren Dean

Board Member · Owner, Play on Words Therapy Services

Jessica Elliott

Board Member

Lorna Alvarez

Board Member

Erica Millam

Board Member

Margaret Evans

Board Member

Danielle

Volunteer

Amber Hockensmith — Founder & President

I'm the Founder and Board President of Curious Cubs Learning Tree, with over a decade of experience in healthcare administration as a Certified Medical Assistant.

My passion for Curious Cubs is deeply personal. My son is autistic and struggled in the public school system, so I made the decision to take him out and homeschool him myself. But as I walked that journey, I saw so many other parents facing the exact same struggle — without the luxury of being able to homeschool their own child.

That's what led me to help found Curious Cubs Learning Tree — a place where children are supported, understood, and given the opportunity to learn in a way that works for them, not against them.

Mackinzie Gaskins — Co-Founder & Vice President

I'm a Co-Founder of Curious Cubs Learning Tree and a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) with experience working with children with autism and other developmental and learning differences.

My passion for Curious Cubs is also personal — I have ADHD myself, and I'm the mother of two children who also have ADHD. That perspective helps me connect with students and families and advocate for learning environments that support each child's individual needs.

At Curious Cubs, I help oversee daily operations, student support, behavior support strategies, and communication with families.

Erica Millam — Board Member

Erica is a native New Yorker who has called South Georgia home for over 20 years. With more than 12 years of experience as a legal assistant and a paralegal degree, she brings sharp organizational skills and dedication to the board. Outside of work, Erica loves reading, solo travel, cooking and baking, and advocating for the special needs community — a passion that makes her a natural fit for Curious Cubs' mission.

Lorna Alvarez — Board Member

Lorna is a mother of a wonderful five-year-old son and knows firsthand how important a nurturing, engaging, and supportive learning environment is for a child. She is also a Criminal Justice professor who has dedicated her career to education and service. Lorna is honored to serve on the Curious Cubs Learning Tree board and support its mission of helping every child build a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

Gold Standard Behavior Change Services

Behavior Support Services

Owned by Bonnie Watson, our Treasurer, Gold Standard Behavior Change Services partners with Curious Cubs to support children's behavioral and developmental needs.

Play on Words Therapy Services

Speech & Language Therapy

Owned by Lauren Dean, one of our Board Members, Play on Words Therapy Services partners with Curious Cubs to support children's speech and language development.