Meet Our Team
McKinna's highly qualified educators are experts who specialize in the unique needs of neurodiverse learners.
Our Founder and Director
Kellye McKinna, PhD
"Every experience and person we meet provides an opportunity to learn — if we open our hearts and minds to listen."
As an educator for more than 25 years, Dr. Kellye has devoted her career to helping students learn to their highest potential. She founded McKinna Learning Academy in 2008 as a unique, progressive school whose combined educational and therapeutic methods empower students with learning disabilities and learning problems, nurture an innate desire to learn, and foster the values of social responsibility.
As a director of several schools, Dr. Kellye has extensive expertise developing curricula both for elementary and middle school. She believes the journey of learning never ends and embraces each moment as an opportunity to connect and grow. Her strengths — hope, optimism, curiosity, enthusiasm, honesty, and humor — reflect this mindset and fuel her passion for life. Rooted in family, compassion, integrity, and perseverance, her values guide both her personal and professional life. As a parent of two young adults, she has deepened empathy and understanding of the trials and tribulations of parenting.
Dr. Kellye earned her doctorate and master’s degrees in educational psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles. Prior to that, she completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in education with a major in English at Pacific Lutheran University.
She has authored numerous papers on the topic of how children with ADHD develop social perspective-taking skills. Her workshops for parents span topics including What Is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?, Finding the Right School for Your Child and Family, and Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities.
Lead Teacher of Social Emotional Learning
Alicia Axilbund, MA
Alicia (Ali) was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. She gained her bachelor’s degree in commercial photography from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore before earning a master’s degree in elementary education from the University of Portland. During her time in graduate school, Alicia wrote a graduate paper on teaching about neuroplasticity and growth mindset in elementary classrooms and its effects on learning outcomes. Her research was presented at an educational conference at the University of Oregon.
Alicia’s favorite part of being a teacher is building relationships with her students and getting them excited about learning. She believes that every child is capable of academic success with the proper support in place and thrives on seeing her students succeed. In her time away from the classroom, she can usually be found scouring the beach for sea glass or going for a hike with her husband and her corgi, Bernie.
Math, Science, and Spanish Specialist
Bianca Saldivar, MA
Bianca gained her bachelor’s degree at the University of California, Santa Barbara, before earning her master’s degree from California State University, Long Beach. During her time at Cal State, Bianca co-authored two published articles in the field of educational psychology.
Bianca has served as McKinna Learning Academy’s math specialist since 2014. In addition to teaching math, Bianca is passionate about teaching science, history, and Spanish. After school, she tutors students in a wide variety of math skills ranging from middle school algebra to college-level calculus.
Her hobbies include salsa dancing, cooking, exercising, and traveling the world. She volunteers as an event coordinator for her salsa studio.