The Royce School
Meet Our Amazing Team
Our faculty, leadership team, support staff, and therapy partners are highly trained professionals dedicated to meeting the unique learning needs of our students. Our educators specialize in evidence-based methodologies that build confident, capable learners.
Leadership
Meet our Leadership
Laci Culbreth
Head of School
Laci serves as Head of School at The Royce School, where she is committed to fostering an environment that empowers neurodiverse learners to thrive. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Montana State University and her master’s from Valdosta State University. Since joining Royce in 2014, she has held multiple roles before being appointed Head of School in 2022. She is trained in the Orton-Gillingham Approach to Reading Instruction and is a certified ADHD instructor.
Danny Howell
Executive Director
Danny brings more than 30 years of experience in independent school education as a teacher, coach, business manager, and Head of School – most recently completing seven years as Head of School at Brentwood School in Sandersville, Georgia, where enrollment nearly doubled and the campus and its programs grew significantly under his leadership. He holds a B.S. from Presbyterian College, a Master’s and Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Georgia College and State University, and spent two years playing professional basketball in Ireland and Luxembourg before finding his calling in education. His wife Stacy and he have three children, all educated in independent schools, and he is honored to join The Royce School community as Executive Director.
Student Support
Meet our Professionals
Zoe Culbreth
Assistant to Executive Director & School Communications
Zoe serves as the Receptionist and Marketing & Communications Assistant at The Royce School. She graduated from the University of Georgia in 2024 with a degree in Communications.
Terri DeGarlais
Paraprofessional
Terri is a special education paraprofessional who provides academic support and instruction along with behavior management under the direction of special education teachers. She has a passion for helping kids feel safe, cared for, and confident.
Rachel Epstein
Permanent Substitute
Rachel moved to Savannah two years ago from Atlanta and has loved becoming part of this wonderful community. Her husband is a professor of business at SCAD, and they have three grown daughters.
Arnaja Fennel
Paraprofessional
Arnaja was born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, and has a deep passion for creativity and self-expression, which she channels through with her love of sewing. She attended Capella University, where she majored in psychology.
Jamie Montgomery
Data Manager & Student Activities Coordinator
Jamie is the Data Manager at Royce. She attended Strayer University. She moved to Savannah six years ago from Atlanta. Working at The Royce School has given her patience, empathy, and a more broader understanding of what it means to be normal.
Cheri Pelli
Upper School Coordinator
Bio coming soon.
Kim Place
Finance Manager
Growing up in Montana made Kim feel especially appreciative of the beautiful weather here in Savannah. At The Royce School, she manages the finances and genuinely enjoys the challenge of problem-solving and keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes.
Patty Tucker
Educational Services Coordinator
Patty grew up here in Savannah, and is a graduate of The University of Georgia. She has a wide range of educational experiences, including over a dozen years in special education.
Ashleigh Wetherington
Paraprofessional · Class of 2025 Alumni
Ashleigh is a proud Royce School graduate, Class of 2025. Born and raised in Savannah, she assists students with their schoolwork, provides one-on-one support, and reinforces lessons taught by teachers.
Eva White
Receptionist
Bio coming soon.
Faculty
Meet our Educators
Cedric Beamon
MS & HS STEM and Mathematics Teacher
I am the MS and HS STEM and Mathematics teacher at The Royce School. Outside of the classroom, I share my passion for creativity as an event curator and DJ. My goal is to merge mathematics and music to create an inspiring learning environment.
Sigrid Butler
Teacher
I am an experienced special education teacher skilled in adapted curriculum, individualized instruction, behavior support, and inclusive classroom practices.
Caroline Christiansen
Teacher
I hold a degree in History and I’m passionate about helping students connect the past to the world around them. I’m thrilled to be in my fifth year of teaching at Royce.
Lori Hearn
Teacher
I was born in Naples, Florida, but grew up outside of Atlanta in Dunwoody. I attended Clemson University and graduated with a degree in psychology, then continued my education at Asbury Theological Seminary.
Adam Hofe
Teacher
After a career that included stock analysis, volunteering at an animal sanctuary in Bolivia, ghost tour guiding, and creative writing, I found my calling at Royce. Laci Culbreth texted me in 2023 asking if I’d consider teaching full time. Two years later — I’m glad she did.
Joe Levan
Teacher & Coach
With approximately 30 years of teaching and coaching experience at The Royce School, everyone knows me as Coach. NFL FLAG Atlanta Falcons Coach of the Year (2013). My ultimate objective is to provide students every opportunity to achieve their goals.
Jessica Loyd
Art & Orton-Gillingham Teacher
I teach Art and Orton-Gillingham at The Royce School. I graduated from the University of Georgia in 2002 and from Piedmont University in 2012 with a Master’s Degree in Special Education.
Jonathan MacArthur
Social Studies Teacher
I teach Social Studies at The Royce School. I graduated from Georgia Southern University with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with a focus on Social Studies.
Michelle McGuffey
Teacher
I was born in Alaska and grew up as a military child, moving frequently and experiencing many different cultures and communities. I began my college education at Central Texas College and later earned my degree in education.
Savannah Medford
Teacher AND Social Emotional Learning and Behavior Specialist
Prior to working at The Royce School, I spent 5 years as a behavior technician in a variety of settings, focusing on social skills and behavioral modification. I am currently working toward my Master’s in Social Work at Auburn University. I look forward to supporting our students socially, emotionally, and academically. Go Knights!
Jason Newman
Teacher
I was born in Savannah and have spent most of my life in the area. I did my undergraduate work at Georgia Southern University, then moved cross country to the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Mary Prescott
Teacher
I’m born and raised right here in Savannah, Georgia. I graduated from St. Vincent’s Academy and went on to earn my bachelor’s degree in Special Education and my master’s degree as well.
Catherine Vaughn
Teacher
I am a proud United States Air Force veteran. With 37 years of teaching experience, I have dedicated the past 20 years to serving students at The Royce School. I hold four college degrees, including a doctorate.
Melissa Vogeler
Teacher
This year marks my fourth year of teaching at The Royce School. I graduated from Georgia Southern University with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, with a focus on education.
Join the Team
Interested in Working at Royce?
We are always looking for passionate, skilled educators and support professionals who believe in the potential of every neurodiverse learner. If that’s you, we’d love to hear from you.