meet the team

We are a group of former certified teachers with a combined total of over

50 years of experience in teaching and coaching!

We've collectively provided over 7,000 hours of high-quality academic and executive function coaching at Empower.

We are passionate about helping students and embracing our unique strengths in our work.

Click on the images below to get to know us a little better!

Caroline Sumners

CEO & Founder

Meet Caroline (she/her), who earned a BS in Biology from UGA and a Master of Arts in Teaching Biology from Agnes Scott.

She has 6 years of coaching and 7 years of teaching middle & high school students. She is an expert in International Baccalaureate courses and programs, college admissions, and 504/IEP accommodations.

Caroline enjoys helping students discover and pursue their passions, learn how to advocate for themselves, and navigate big transitions, like the first year of high school or college.

She especially loves helping neurodivergent students find learning strategies that feel right for their unique & powerful brains. She created our EAC community that has touched the lives of over 300 families.

Caroline's students say that their work together has been transformative and life-changing.

Jess Forte-Paul

COO & Academic Coach

Meet Jess (she/her), who earned a BS. Ed in Physical Education and a MS Ed. in Physical Education with concentration in Adapted Physical Education.

Jess has 7 years of teaching experience and 3 years of academic coaching experience. She is also a former dean of student life at a private school in Atlanta.

Her students have gone on to matriculate at their dream colleges and routinely credit Jess as instrumental in helping them achieve their goal.

She is an expert in helping students with college prep, career readiness, organizational skills, time management, anxiety, ADHD, and Diversity Equity and Inclusion facilitation.

Jess enjoys helping students with building confidence, becoming a strong self-advocate, and accountability towards achieving their goals.

Megan Karafotias-Buck

Marketing Specialist & Academic Coach

Meet Megan (she/her), who earned a B.A. in Spanish Education from Georgia State University & Masters of Spanish Language and Culture from the Universidad de Salamanca.

She is a certified ADHD and Life Coach and is ADHD Coaching Organization (ACO) and International Coaching Federation (ICF) recognized. Megan continues to engage in monthly professional development about supporting neurodivergent students and has conducted 200 hours of research about ADHD & executive function in teens and young adults.

Megan has 5 years of teaching experience and 4 years of coaching experience.

She is an expert in International Baccalaureate, Bilingual Education, college prep, ADHD/ADD, and IB Spanish. She enjoys working with anxious students and creating a safe, affirming coaching space for LGBTQ+ students.

70% of Meg's students return each year due to the incredible impact she has on their lives.

Megan enjoys helping students with personalized study strategies, studying languages, and finding their peace.

Tiffany Intza

DEL/SEL Coordinator & Academic Coach

Meet Tiffany (she/her), who earned a B.A. in Literature and History along with a Math endorsement. She has 12 years of teaching elementary (all subjects) and literature/history in middle grades.

She also has International experience and is IB, PYP and MYP certified.

Tiffany led and created a 21st-century life skills class for 2 years.

She is an expert in social-emotional learning, anxiety, depression/motivation, life skills, SAT prep, and finding resources.

Additionally, Tiffany likes working with students to help them become their strongest self-advocates.

Tiffany's students routinely gush about the positive impact she's had on their stress level around school. She helps them find balance through time management skills and a compassionate approach.

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"In structuring the sessions to match the student’s needs, [our child's coach] easily demonstrates her teaching skills, flexibility and ability to help the student move from his or her comfort zone."

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meet the team

"In structuring the sessions to match the student’s needs, [our child's coach] easily demonstrates her teaching skills, flexibility and ability to help the student move from his or her comfort zone."

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