About

Our Story

Lighthouse Special Education Academy (LSEA) is a nonprofit, faith-based private school in Coweta County created for children with disabilities who need more than the public school system can provide. We exist to serve children who have been overlooked, underserved, or misunderstood in traditional settings, and to give their families the peace of knowing that someone sees their child’s potential and is prepared to help them reach it.

Our school was founded in 2025 by a parent, a special educator, and a small group of committed community members who understood firsthand the gap in services for children with special needs. Today, Lighthouse SEA stands as the first Christian private school for students with disabilities in Coweta County, offering individualized instruction, on-site therapies in partnership with Interactiv Children’s Therapy Services, and a daily experience built on faith, structure, and unconditional care.

When a system isn’t built for your child, you’re forced to choose between staying quiet or starting something new. LSEA is the voice that answered back.

Erica Hackworth

Lead Teacher & Program Director

Erica is a certified special educator with 30+ years of experience. She brings both instructional leadership and faith-rooted mentoring. Erica has designed classrooms, coached students, and created inclusive learning environments for decades, all while integrating Biblical values, adaptive teaching, and individualized support.

Erica can be contacted at erica@lighthousesea.org

Hannah Guess

Paraprofessional

Hannah offers direct daily support in the classroom, helping with transitions, instruction, feeding, and emotional regulation. She is trained in sensory support tools, communication systems, and student safety protocols.

Hannah can be contacted at hannah@lighthousesea.org

Keri Bethea

Executive Director

Keri is a mother of five, including her daughter Ellie, who lives with special needs. Keri brings the heart of a parent and the leadership of an advocate. Her lived experience navigating the system has inspired her mission: to build a school where every child is truly seen, supported, and celebrated.

Keri can be contacted at keri@lighthousesea.org

Lauren Norris

Operations Director

Lauren’s journey as the parent of a child with rare genetic syndromes led her to co-found Lighthouse alongside Keri. Lauren’s administrative skills, systems mindset, faith, integrity, and devotion to a dignity-based education shapes every operational decision.

Lauren can be contacted at lauren@lighthousesea.org

Morgan Davis

Recreational Therapist

Morgan has served children with disabilities through Camp Twin Lakes and other therapeutic programs. At Lighthouse SEA, she leads physical activity and recreational learning, promoting confidence, curiosity, and communication through play.

Morgan can be contacted at morgan@lighthousesea.org

Who We Serve

Lighthouse SEA serves a specific, underserved group: children ages 6 to 9 with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities who need individualized instruction, integrated therapies, and a supportive, faith-centered learning environment.

We serve a wide range of learners, including students who are non-verbal, those using feeding tubes, and those who rely on assistive devices. Our team is trained to support a variety of needs while promoting dignity, communication, and independence. Each enrollment decision is made with great care, based on the child’s needs and our school’s capacity to support them well.

Currently serving Coweta County and surrounding areas.

How We Serve

We use teaching and support strategies that are backed by research and shown to help children with disabilities learn and grow. These strategies are called evidence-based practices (EBPs) because they’ve been studied in real classrooms and proven to improve outcomes in areas like reading, communication, behavior, and emotional development.

Our team has access to a wide range of these strategies. Some are used across the school as part of our daily teaching, while others are selected for individual students based on their needs and goals.

Weekly Chapel

Christ-Centered