Our Staff
Cindy Skipworth
Executive Director
We were created to love people. More than anything, I love encouraging and building others up, so that they can hopefully be all that they were created to be. As parents, we all long for our children to reach their full potential in the lives they’ve been given, and we would do anything to help them find true joy and fulfillment in life- and to THRIVE! It’s such an honor to be a part of The Exceptional Way, started by families who desire more for their extra special children. I’ve been deeply inspired already by the stories I’ve heard about many of these big-hearted individuals who have great potential. I truly believe this amazing organization is going to bring life and community to those with disabilities who don’t have the same opportunities to grow & build meaningful relationships after they age out of the school system at the age of 21. These individuals carry so much JOY on the inside, and they just need an outlet to display and share it! I believe The Exceptional Way is going to do JUST THAT! What a blessing this community of adults with disabilities is going to be, not only to each other & our staff, but I believe that they are going to have an incredibly positive impact on our amazing city as well. I’m thrilled and honored to have this opportunity to serve these truly exceptional people and their families!
Jodie Maharrey
Program Coordinator
The past 10 years, I have spent working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis, and I have seen the gaps in services especially for adults with disabilities. When learning of The Exceptional Way, I was excited and proud that a place like this would exist in LaGrange. After spending 8 years working in schools in Alabama, I am grateful to be contributing to my hometown in such a new and exciting way. I am thrilled to use my decade of experience working with individuals with disabilities to help close this gap. I am excited to build a program that will encourage social skills, recreational activities and daily living skills.
Mary Beth Pelt
Program Fascilitator
As a multi-generation lifelong resident of LaGrange, I LOVE our sweet little town, and I am overwhelmingly grateful to be a part of building The Exceptional Way from the ground up as we seek to serve our clients and their families. I bring with me 10 years’ experience as a part of Troup County School System, and I hold immeasurable gratitude for the lessons I learned there. I look forward to the day I can welcome students I recently taught in elementary school as they join us at TEW. I believe that God has uniquely gifted each one of us and is going to weave together a beautiful tapestry full of intricate and specific detail during our time together. He created me with a heart for service that I daily strive to display. It is my prayer that everyone I encounter is left better for having known the love He has for them that I get to share. Together with our clients and their families, our staff looks forward to the amazing things that lie ahead for The Exceptional Way. Stay tuned- greater things have yet to come!
Amy Parnell
Program Assistant | Health Aid
