Katie’s heart for helping neurodivergent children is rooted in both personal and professional experiences. She holds a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from the University of Michigan, a Master’s in Reading and Language Arts from Oakland University, and a Master’s in Occupational Therapy from Grand Valley State University. Before helping to found Be ME Center, Katie spent 11 years teaching Kindergarten and First Grade in the Walled Lake School System and later served as an OT and Regional Director of Therapy at an interdisciplinary clinic.

Inspired by her daughter’s journey with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), Katie is dedicated to creating a space where children who feel misunderstood can thrive. Her therapy practice is dedicated to neurodiversity affirming care and helping families advocate for what is important to them. Katie loves spending time with her 3 children, sipping tea, and enjoying Lake Michigan’s beauty.

Bethany Crane is the Co-Founder of the Be ME Center and serves as the Director of Special Needs at Ward Church. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with over 20 years of experience supporting children with autism and other developmental differences through roles including ASD classroom teacher, BCBA, and program director.

Bethany believes this work is a calling and that God led the vision for Be ME from the very beginning. Her faith shapes her leadership, her advocacy, and her deep commitment to honoring each child as uniquely created and deeply valued.

In addition to her work with young children, Bethany helps lead and support programs at Ward Church serving teens and adults with diverse needs. She also partners closely with counseling professionals and parent mentors to help lead parent support groups, walking alongside families as they navigate diagnosis, services, and community life.

Bethany’s heart for collaboration, compassion, and Christ-centered care is woven into every aspect of her work at Be ME Center.

Jenny is a dedicated Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with four years of experience as a behavior technician and BCBA, Jenny is passionate about developing and implementing curriculum programs that allow children to learn through meaningful and child led activities. She has experience teaching children of all ages, from serving at her church as a Vacation Bible School teacher to teaching college students as a physics learning assistant. Her goal is to foster curiosity, problem-solving, and friendships in an environment where every child can thrive.

Jenny enjoys spending time with her family, exploring new activities, and creating a supportive community where children feel safe, valued, and excited to learn.

Mackenzie has been a dedicated Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) for six years, focusing on pediatrics and Autism Spectrum Disorder, early language development, and speech sound disorders. She earned her Bachelor’s from Western Michigan University and her Master’s from Northwestern University. Mackenzie’s approach to therapy is rooted in child-led, play-based, and neurodiversity-affirming principles, creating a trusting environment where children can connect and communicate in their unique ways.

Outside of Be ME, Mackenzie enjoys running, reading, and spending time with her husband, two young daughters, and their chocolate lab. Her passion for helping children and their families shines through in all she does.

Andrea brings nearly 20 years of experience as a Speech-Language Pathologist, with a passion for supporting preschool-aged children through play-based therapy. She holds a DIRFloortime® Certificate of Proficiency and has dedicated her career to fostering meaningful communication between Autistic children and their families. Andrea has a special talent for creating engaging, child-centered environments that promote connection and growth.

Andrea earned her undergraduate degree from Calvin University and her Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology from Western Michigan University. She loves spending time with her husband and two boys and is actively involved in her church community, including leadership roles in American Heritage Girls.

Jenny brings a wealth of experience as both an educator and behavior therapist. After 23 years as an early childhood educator in Christian schools, Jenny transitioned to behavior analysis in 2016. She holds a deep passion for guiding children toward their God-given potential and loves integrating her teaching background with behavior therapy at Be ME.

Married for 35 years, Jenny is a proud mother of three grown children and grandmother of three (with one more on the way). She’s excited to continue her journey with Be ME, where her expertise and faith come together in service of neurodiverse families.

Kelly has enjoyed practicing as board-certified music therapist and spearheading her private music therapy practice since 2010. Kelly is thrilled to be collaborating with the team at the Be ME Center. In her clinical practice, Kelly has focused on supporting individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, music therapy programming in inpatient pediatrics, adult oncology, and hospice, as well as working with adults with Alzheimer’s and Dementia. She earned her Associate’s in Arts from Southwestern Michigan College in 2006 and her Bachelor’s of Music Therapy from Eastern Michigan University in 2010. In her clinical practice, Kelly uses a variety of approaches including improvisational music therapy, music therapy small group work, and 1:1 sessions.

Aside from her clinical work, Kelly enjoys running, playing the piano, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Jess is a dedicated Occupational Therapist with five years of experience. She earned her Master’s of Science in Occupational Therapy from Eastern Michigan University. Jess is passionate about developing strong relationships, learning with others, and providing care that honors neurodiversity. She believes that the best learning comes through play. Jess has previous experience in many different settings; working with children as individuals and groups, as a pre-school teacher, as well as coaching figure skating for children of all ages. Outside of Be ME, she enjoys spending time with her husband and her daughter, taking her two black labs for walks, reading, and getting coffee with friends.

Sarah is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with three years of experience working with young children, especially in supporting autistic children. Her clinical passions include Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), DIRFloortime approach, and interdisciplinary collaboration. She is committed to fostering strong partnerships between therapists, educators, and families to ensure the best outcomes for each child. Outside of her professional work, Sarah enjoys spending time with her family and dogs, and is dedicated to building a compassionate, inclusive community for the children and families she serves.