Meet Our Team
Caitlin Ensley
is the Senior Director of Education and Outreach, responsible for the 16-county East Tennessee region including Knoxville. She has a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Social Work with concentrations in child welfare and organizational leadership. Caitlin has worked for MHAET since 2014. Her favorite parts of the job are educating youth, decreasing the stigma surrounding mental health issues, and practicing self care. She is also passionate about creating a workplace environment focused on wellness. She lives in Knoxville with her fiancé, Spencer, and their two kittens Luna and Matilda, and dog, Jackson.
Sarah Miranda is the Southeast Regional Coordinator, responsible for the 10 counties in the Southeast region of Tennessee. She has Bachelors Degrees in Global Development Studies and Psychology from Mercer University. Sarah’s passionate about working at MHAET because she wants to promote and educate on the importance of mental health and early intervention. Sarah most enjoys building a strong community network, and hearing the stories from students that she gets to teach. She lives in Chattanooga with her husband, Nate, and their two dogs, Brodie and Bella. Sarah practices self-care daily through fitness and quality time spent outdoors with her family.
Casey Caudill is the Northeast Regional Coordinator for MHAET, and she is responsible for the 8 counties in the Northeast. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Civic Innovation and a Bachelor of Arts in Religion, both from Emory & Henry College. She enjoys promoting self care, educating youth, and making connections within the Northeast TN community. She lives in Mount Carmel, TN with her husband, Jake. Her hobbies include hiking, camping, kayaking, playing board games, and traveling to new places.
Caroline is our intern here at MHAET and a current student at the University of Tennesee Knoxville pursuing her Bachelor of Social Work. She is passionate about advocating for and educating adolescents on Mental Health. She is excited to learn from her experiences at MHAET and grow as a professional. Caroline hopes to further her education by pursuing a Master’s in Social Work. Caroline loves to hike, cook and try new coffee places in Knoxville.
Mental Health Educators
Ana is a recent graduate from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology. Originally from Mexico, Ana was 15 when she moved to the U.S. with her family. She believes that bringing awareness to youth and mental health will help create a safe space for students to feel comfortable sharing their struggles. She enjoys reading, spending time in nature, and watching her favorite tv shows and movies. She also loves helping others and is happy to have the opportunity to do so through the Mental Health 101 program.
Cyndi is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville with bachelor’s degrees in both Psychology and Sociology. She has a diverse background working in the non-profit, education, and healthcare industries. Cyndi has a passion for working with youth and promoting positive mental health through education while impacting the overall wellness of teens in East Tennessee. In her spare time she enjoys traveling and playing tennis. She lives in Knoxville with her husband Chris and has three daughters, Taylor, McKenzie, and Reagan and three dogs, Fenway, Wrigley, and Shea.
Jacqueline is a graduate of East Tennessee State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She has a background in teaching mindfulness-based stress reduction and trauma-informed movement. Jacqueline is passionate about holistic mental health and the importance of empowering our youth through mental health education and skill building. Through MHAET she hopes to increase awareness and share information about mental health and wellness with students of East Tennessee
Jessica is a student at the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga pursuing her Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She is inspired by the doors that counseling can open and is humbled to be a part of the healing and growth that comes from talking openly about mental health. Prior to joining the MH101 team, she worked as coordinator of a non-profit community center. She values experiential learning and brings creativity and enthusiasm to her teaching style. Jessica is passionately curious and loves to hike, kayak, travel, eat and read. She finds comfort in spending time with her partner Blake, her dog Maya, and her cats Nahla and Lito.
Keith is a Mental Health Educator for the Northeast Region. Keith received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in addition to earning his teaching certification from Milligan College, Tennessee. Keith completed a very successful and gratifying career as a classroom teacher for the Johnson City School System. He then extended his professional leadership skills by serving as a TEAM evaluator for Johnson City Schools and as a Supervisor of Student Teachers and Interns for Milligan University. As a Mental Health Educator, Keith is now enabled to combine his lifelong passion for teaching with his deep desire to increase awareness of mental health issues while promoting mental wellness. Keith lives in Watauga, Tennessee with his wife Janet and his beloved dog, Gus. He has two adult children and one adult grandson. Keith Hertzog is an accomplished photographer who especially enjoys nature and wildlife photography. Keith, Janet and Gus enjoy being outdoors. They can often be found exploring the beautiful mountains of East Tennessee in their RV camper.
Madi is a recent graduate from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville where she completed a Bachelors Degree in Psychology with a Minor in Child and Family Studies. Madi was driven to pursue a career in Mental Health after experiencing how crucial mental health services, education and accessibility are as a teenager. She hopes to make a difference in her community through Mental Health 101 by advocating for and encouraging adolescents to feel comfortable discussing their mental health. In time, Madi hopes to further her education by pursuing a Masters Degree in Clinical Counseling. Of the many things in her life that bring her joy, Madi loves to bake, crochet, tend to her many houseplants, and spend time with her family and loved ones. She also spends much of downtime with her cat, Sebastian.
Shannon is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology, Child and Family Studies. She has a diverse background working with adolescents in non-profit settings, education, and health education. Shannon loves to support others on their mental health journey through presentations and enjoys interacting with teens in an effort to help them feel empowered when it comes to their overall wellness. Shannon lives in Knoxville with her husband, two sons and their 2 fur babes. She loves all things travel and playing outdoors, especially in the beautiful hills of Tennessee.
Neil is a graduate of the University of Virginia and Capella University with a master’s degree in sport psychology. Whether it’s in his work as a mental performance consultant, coach, men’s group facilitator, or mental health educator, he has found value in creating space for vulnerability, connection, and acceptance. He believes that combined with awareness, education is a key step to building a more resilient and mentally healthy world. Aside from teaching or coaching, one of the main ways in which Neil enjoys his time and improves his mental health is through trail running or spending time in nature. He lives in Chattanooga with his wife Krystal, and two dogs, Hazel and Prue.
Matt is a dedicated mental health educator with a passion for raising awareness and providing support to adolescents and their families. With a Master’s degree in experimental psychology and ongoing studies in clinical mental health, Matthew brings valuable experience as a graduate teaching assistant and youth group therapy facilitator. Certified in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) and Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR), he is committed to crisis intervention and equipping individuals with the necessary skills. Motivated by a genuine desire to make a difference, Matthew specializes in suicide and crisis intervention, aiming to raise awareness about available resources and provide comprehensive education on mental wellness. He fosters open and honest communication, meeting students where they are in their development, without judgment. Through his work as a mental health educator, Matthew conveys the message that understanding one’s inner world enhances coping resources for navigating life’s challenges. With his passion, educational background, and commitment to mental health education, Matthew is dedicated to positively impacting the lives of adolescents and their families.
Shayla is a Mental Health Educator for the East Tennessee region. She is a Midwest native and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and Theology at Rockhurst University. She moved to Knoxville for graduate studies in psychology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Shayla’s love for psychology and mental health began as a high school student when she took her first psychology course, and she is excited to share information and increase awareness about mental health through her work with the Mental Health Association of East Tennessee. Shayla enjoys playing soccer, hiking, sewing, and learning new Appalachian crafts.
