The TEACH Group:
Your Pediatric Therapy Team in Knoxville, TN
Choosing the right support for your child is one of the most important decisions you can make. At The TEACH Group, we partner with families to provide thoughtful, effective children’s therapy that helps kids build skills, confidence, and independence.
We are a pediatric therapy center and ABA clinic serving families throughout the Knoxville area. Our coordinated approach includes speech therapy, pediatric occupational therapy, behavioral therapy, psychological services, and learning support.
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Our Story, Mission, and Values
The TEACH Group was founded in 2015 with a clear purpose: to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families through excellent therapeutic services.
Our work is rooted in the belief that every child can learn and grow when given the right tools, guidance, and support. We serve children with autism, learning disorders, ADHD, sensory processing challenges, communication difficulties, and behavioral concerns. Our goal is to help each child reach their potential while supporting families every step of the way.
Our mission is simple but powerful: to improve the lives of children and families by providing excellent care, clear communication, and individualized therapy services.
A Founder’s Vision Built on Belief
The foundation of The TEACH Group is deeply personal.
Our founder’s passion for children with special needs was shaped early in life by watching her grandmother defy expectations for a family member with brain injury. Instead of accepting limitations, her grandmother focused on possibility, effort, and belief. That experience planted a lifelong conviction: every child can learn.
This belief guided a career in special education, advanced training, and ultimately the creation of a practice dedicated to empowering children and families. Today, that same conviction drives everything we do at The TEACH Group, from our ABA clinic and speech therapy services to pediatric occupational therapy and psychological support.
Our Core Values
Excellence
We provide exceptional service through knowledgeable professionals who are committed to best practices in children’s therapy.
Team
Collaboration is at the heart of what we do. Our therapists work together as associates in pediatric therapy to support the whole child.
Serve
We serve families with compassion, celebrate progress, and honor every milestone along the journey.
Purpose
We work intentionally, with the end goal always in mind: meaningful progress and improved quality of life.
Commitment
We are dedicated to creating solutions that make a real difference for children and families.
Our Team of Pediatric Therapy Professionals
The TEACH Group is made up of a collaborative team of licensed and certified professionals who share a commitment to helping children succeed. Each team member brings specialized expertise while working closely with others to ensure care is coordinated and aligned. This team-based approach allows us to support complex needs, learning disorders, and developmental challenges more effectively than isolated services.
Leadership
Dr. King spent several years teaching special education and holds teaching certifications in special education and general education. Her 8 years in the K-12 classroom include serving students with a variety of mild to severe disabilities, with an emphasis on autism. Working as an early interventionist with the birth to three population has given her a valuable perspective, as well. She has been working as a developmental education and behavior specialist since 2012. In that time, Dr. King has provided ABA therapy, social skills training, parent education, and behavior consultations to children and families with autism, ADHD, processing disorders, and other disabilities and challenges. Starting the TEACH Group in 2015 has enabled her to follow her dream of making a difference in the lives of children and families.
Education:
- University of Tennessee, Bachelor’s Degree in Education with a concentration in Special Education
- University of Tennessee, Master’s Degree in Education
- Trevecca Nazarene University, Ed.D in Educational Leadership and Professional Practice
- Cal State University San Marco, Certificate of Applied Behavior Analysis
- Certified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board
Dr. King is married and has three children. She enjoys supporting her children in their extracurricular activities. She also enjoys cooking and reading.
Alyssa has been practicing Occupational Therapy at the TEACH Group since 2021. Her clinical experience includes a Level II fieldwork with adults at a long term skilled nursing facility in Gainesville, GA. She also completed a Level II fieldwork in Knox County Schools including elementary, middle, and high school.
Education:
- University of Tennessee Chattanooga, Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science (2017)
- Brenau University, Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (2019)
- Tennessee State Licensure in Occupational Therapy, #6517
- National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, #436746
Tennessee Occupational Therapy Association (TNOTA)
American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
Personal:
Alyssa has been married to her husband, Brendan, since November of 2019. She is a loving aunt to two nieces and a nephew and enjoys spending time with them. In her free time, Alyssa enjoys doing jigsaw puzzles, spending time with her dog Taco, and playing board games with her husband.
Julia has completed internships with Knox County Schools, UTK’s Pediatric Language Clinic, and other pediatric private practices in the Knoxville area. She joined the TEACH Group in June 2022.
Education:
- James Madison University, Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders
- University of Tennessee, Master’s Degree in Speech Language Pathology
Certification/Licensure:
- Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in Speech Pathology, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
- Speech Pathology State of Tennessee License, #7958
- Trained in SCERTS intervention model for Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Trained in PROMPT
Organizations: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
Personal: Julia grew up in Virginia and moved to Tennessee to pursue her career in Speech-Language Pathology. She has a cattle dog named Bindi that she enjoys going on runs and hikes with. She also enjoys reading, rock climbing, and exploring Knoxville.
Brianna has been a registered behavior technician since October of 2022. As of August of 2023, Brianna has been studying for her Master’s degree in Special Education with a focus in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA therapy). Brianna plans to eventually become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) upon completing her degree and fieldwork requirements in 2025.
Education:
- Coastal Carolina University, Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology
- Arizona State University Online, working on a Master’s Degree in Special Education with a focus in ABA therapy
- Certified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board
Brianna is originally from Upstate New York, but she is very proud to call Tennessee her home. In her free time, Brianna enjoys being outside and exploring the local gems that Knoxville has to offer. She enjoys farmer’s markets, hiking, sightseeing, thrifting, and kayaking.
Kristi has owned her own business in the fitness industry where she prepared workouts for clients, instructed clients in safety guidelines, provided nutritional advice and meal planning, assisted clients with glucose monitoring, and handled all administrative duties. She also owned a business as a home renovator, where she worked in real estate, purchased homes to renovate, hired contractors, and showed completed homes for sale. She has also worked as a law assistant and a medical records assistant.
Education:
- University of Memphis, third year in Education degree
- Harding University, attended for Speech Pathology
- Certified Personal Trainer
- Certified Nutritionist
Kristi enjoys spending time with her loved ones, including her four children and several pets. She enjoys being physically active with exercise, sports, and hiking.
Psychologist
Occupational Therapists
Alyssa has been practicing Occupational Therapy at the TEACH Group since 2021. Her clinical experience includes a Level II fieldwork with adults at a long term skilled nursing facility in Gainesville, GA. She also completed a Level II fieldwork in Knox County Schools including elementary, middle, and high school.
Education:
- University of Tennessee Chattanooga, Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science (2017)
- Brenau University, Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (2019)
- Tennessee State Licensure in Occupational Therapy, #6517
- National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, #436746
Tennessee Occupational Therapy Association (TNOTA)
American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
Personal:
Alyssa has been married to her husband, Brendan, since November of 2019. She is a loving aunt to two nieces and a nephew and enjoys spending time with them. In her free time, Alyssa enjoys doing jigsaw puzzles, spending time with her dog Taco, and playing board games with her husband.
Kenia has worked in multiple states and has experience working in various settings including outpatient clinics, home-based, schools, summer camps, and hand clinics. She joined the TEACH Group in March 2022.
Education:
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology and Recreational Therapy
- Kean University, Master of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy
- Tennessee State License in Occupational Therapy, #5494
- National Board of Certification of Occupational Therapy, #35687
American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
Personal:
In her spare time, Kenia can be found outdoors spending time with her wonderful husband and their daughter. They enjoy going for walks, hikes, having picnics and bonfires, traveling to other states, and simply enjoying time with family and friends.
Speech-Language Pathologists
Julia has completed internships with Knox County Schools, UTK’s Pediatric Language Clinic, and other pediatric private practices in the Knoxville area. She joined the TEACH Group in June 2022.
Education:
- James Madison University, Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders
- University of Tennessee, Master’s Degree in Speech Language Pathology
Certification/Licensure:
- Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in Speech Pathology, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
- Speech Pathology State of Tennessee License, #7958
- Trained in SCERTS intervention model for Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Trained in PROMPT
Organizations: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
Personal: Julia grew up in Virginia and moved to Tennessee to pursue her career in Speech-Language Pathology. She has a cattle dog named Bindi that she enjoys going on runs and hikes with. She also enjoys reading, rock climbing, and exploring Knoxville.
Applied Behavioral Analysis
Brianna has been a registered behavior technician since October of 2022. As of August of 2023, Brianna has been studying for her Master’s degree in Special Education with a focus in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA therapy). Brianna plans to eventually become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) upon completing her degree and fieldwork requirements in 2025.
Education:
- Coastal Carolina University, Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology
- Arizona State University Online, working on a Master’s Degree in Special Education with a focus in ABA therapy
- Certified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board
Brianna is originally from Upstate New York, but she is very proud to call Tennessee her home. In her free time, Brianna enjoys being outside and exploring the local gems that Knoxville has to offer. She enjoys farmer’s markets, hiking, sightseeing, thrifting, and kayaking.
Office Team
Kristi has owned her own business in the fitness industry where she prepared workouts for clients, instructed clients in safety guidelines, provided nutritional advice and meal planning, assisted clients with glucose monitoring, and handled all administrative duties. She also owned a business as a home renovator, where she worked in real estate, purchased homes to renovate, hired contractors, and showed completed homes for sale. She has also worked as a law assistant and a medical records assistant.
Education:
- University of Memphis, third year in Education degree
- Harding University, attended for Speech Pathology
- Certified Personal Trainer
- Certified Nutritionist
Kristi enjoys spending time with her loved ones, including her four children and several pets. She enjoys being physically active with exercise, sports, and hiking.
Frequently Asked Questions
We have two convenient ABA clinics in Knoxville. You can find us at 1240 Old Weisgarber Road, Knoxville, Tennessee 37909 and 10641 Braden Dickey Lane, Knoxville, TN 37932
We provide children’s therapy services for children with autism, learning disorders, speech and language challenges, ADHD, sensory processing difficulties, behavioral concerns, and related developmental needs. Services are individualized based on each child’s strengths and challenges.
The TEACH Group is in network with Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, United Health Care, and Blue Care. Also, we are a TEIS vender and offer self pay services.
Yes, a physician referral is required for our Occupational and Behavioral Services. Our front office will assist you in this process.
Our pediatric therapy center uses a collaborative model. Speech therapy, pediatric occupational therapy, behavioral therapy, and psychological services work together as needed. This team approach helps ensure that goals are aligned and progress is supported across areas of development.
Yes. Our team includes child psychologists who support diagnostic evaluations, therapy planning, emotional regulation, and family guidance. Psychological insight often helps clarify learning disorders and guide appropriate interventions.
Our ABA clinic focuses on individualized, relationship-based support that fits each child and family. ABA therapy is used thoughtfully as part of a broader pediatric therapy approach, with collaboration across disciplines and strong parent involvement.
If you have concerns about communication, behavior, learning, attention, or daily functioning, an evaluation can help provide clarity. Early support often leads to better outcomes, and our team is here to guide you through next steps.
As a courtesy, the TEACH Group will check your insurance benefits and file claims to your insurance company. All patient payments are due at the time of services.
Good attendance in therapy is essential for progress in meeting goals. The attendance policy states that three or more no-shows or late cancellations (within 24 hours of the scheduled appointment), excessive absences, tardies or account balances can result in your child being placed on a call list. While we understand sometimes that there are circumstances beyond your control, consistency in therapy is a key to your child’s success- it is for this reason we have the policy in place.