Our Team
Ann-Bailey Lipsett
Director of Education
Ann-Bailey Lipsett is excited to serve HMLC families and learners as the director of education. She moved back to Lexington in 2020 with her husband and two girls, and spends as much time as possible hiking. She is passionate about giving every learner an optimized educational experience. Outside of her work with HMLC, Ann-Bailey is a special education consultant with 20 years of experience working with children, families, and schools. Ann-Bailey recently completed a Fellowship in the Infant-Parent Mental Health Program at the University of Massachusetts- Boston. She earned her bachelor's degree from Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, and her masters in special education from the University of Virginia. She has advanced her understanding of neurodevelopmental practices through her coursework through the International Council for Development and Learning (ICDL) and holds an expert certificate in DIR/Floortime. Ann-Bailey is the co-author of the book Building Blocks for Social-Emotional Learning: Creating Safe, Secure, and Successful Schools and PREVENT Problem Behaviors: Seven Contemplative Discipline Steps.
To learn more about Ann-Bailey’s work you can visit her website at lipsettlearningconnection.com
Karen Cohen
Lead Facilitator
Karen Cohen is an experienced educator and multi-disciplinary professional with a passion for fostering creative, interest-based learning. With decades of experience across various fields, including coaching, consulting, wellness, and leadership, Karen's approach is rooted in adaptability and resourcefulness. She is deeply inspired by the principles of "unschooling" and agile mindsets, focusing on empowering both children and adults through her teaching. Karen’s commitment to building meaningful connections and fostering a culture of collaboration has shaped her work in tutoring, leading workshops, and teaching diverse groups.
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A native of New York by way of the Philadelphia area, Karen moved to Rockbridge County in 1984. She was the co-owner of the area's first fitness center and initiated many pioneering health and wellness community offerings. Karen is the mother of three grown children and lives in Lexington with her cat Bowie. She has raced cars on a Grassroots motorsports team, has a 30’ sailboat named “Althea” near Chesapeake Bay, and has a love for exploring back roads. She can be reached at Karen@NorthStarFocus.com.
