We recently connected with Kati Cahill and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kati, thanks for joining us today. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

At Humanex Academy, we intentionally and proudly diverge from the traditional educational model in several foundational ways. Our entire philosophy centers on creating an environment that sees each student as a whole person—valuing their strengths, individuality, and personal growth as much as their academic progress.

Where most schools may prioritize standardized curriculum delivery and behavioral compliance, we lead with relationships, emotional awareness, and individual pacing. This is not just a tagline—it’s the lived experience of our students, families, and staff.

A cornerstone of our work is being neurodiversity affirming. Rather than trying to make students conform to a narrow educational mold, we recognize and celebrate the diverse ways that brains work. We focus on what each student can do and build from there, helping them leverage their strengths while compassionately supporting their challenges. This means adapting not just the curriculum, but the environment, communication styles, and expectations to truly support the individual.

One of the most significant differences lies in our Personal Growth Model. While typical academic settings focus on grades, attendance, and performance, we emphasize developing skills such as emotional regulation, communication, curiosity, and accountability to self and others. These aren’t extras—they’re essential parts of our curriculum. We don’t just measure success by test scores, but by how a student is able to show up, engage, and grow within our community.

A powerful story that illustrates why this difference matters comes from a student who entered Humanex after being labeled “unmotivated” and “defiant” in their previous school. At Humanex, we saw past those labels and worked to understand their needs and strengths. With the support of our relationship-based and neurodiversity affirming approach, this student found a safe place to reconnect with learning, explore their interests, and build trust in adults. They began advocating for themselves, participating in group discussions, and even mentoring younger students. This transformation wasn’t about fixing a student—it was about meeting them where they were and walking alongside them as they grew.

One parent recently reflected, “Our daughter ultimately earned and received her high school diploma because we were fortunate to find a place at Humanex… What they provide is awesome.” It’s a sentiment we hear often—students and families feeling seen, supported, and celebrated for exactly who they are.

Our model requires a deep commitment to patience, flexibility, and the belief that growth is non-linear. It’s not always the easiest route, but it’s absolutely the most impactful. At Humanex, we believe that every student deserves to thrive, not just survive, in their educational experience. That’s why we do things differently—because different is often what’s needed most.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Kati Cahill, Head of School at Humanex Academy, and my path into education has always been guided by curiosity, compassion, and a deep desire to help students feel seen. I didn’t begin my journey in a typical classroom—I began outdoors. With a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Secondary Education from Northern Arizona University, I initially pursued environmental education, where I discovered the power of connecting learning to the real world and fostering a love for lifelong discovery.

Eager to deepen my impact in the classroom, I completed my Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Washington shortly after my undergraduate studies. That experience shaped my educational philosophy—focusing on building learning environments that adapt to students, rather than asking students to conform to rigid structures.

In 2011, I joined Humanex Academy as a math and science teacher. The small, relationship-driven environment was exactly what I had always envisioned education could be. Here, I could truly differentiate instruction, connect with students personally, and create curriculum that reflected their strengths and interests. My passion for supporting neurodivergent learners grew alongside my experience teaching at Humanex, as did my desire to mentor fellow educators and innovate within a truly student-centered model.

Today, Humanex Academy is a neurodiversity affirming middle and high school for students who often haven’t felt understood in traditional settings. Our mission is to create a safe, supportive space where students are empowered to grow both academically and personally. We offer:

Individualized, strength-based learning plans

A personal growth model that nurtures emotional awareness, accountability, communication, and curiosity

A trauma-informed, relationship-based culture where students are met where they are

Support for transitions beyond high school, whether that’s college, trade school, or another path entirely

What sets Humanex apart is our unwavering belief that education should be adaptive, not prescriptive. That students learn best when they feel safe, supported, and understood. And that every child deserves an education that works for them, not against them.

As a leader, I lean heavily on a few core strengths that ground me: honesty in how I communicate and lead, prudence and judgment in the decisions I make for our community, a deep love of learning that fuels continual innovation, and a heartfelt appreciation for the beauty and excellence I see every day—in our students’ growth, in the commitment of our staff, and in the moments of resilience that mark our journey together.

A parent recently shared, “As a parent, I cherished knowing that I was sending them off to a place of safety and genuine caring and concern for their individual needs… Humanex Academy not only provided education but also emotional and social support which is critical for neurodivergent students. I can’t imagine where we would be without Humanex Academy.” That’s the kind of community we strive to create—for both our students and their families.

Personally, I’m driven by a love of building—whether it’s designing new curriculum, mentoring teachers, or developing programs that help students grow into the best version of themselves. I believe deeply in student advocacy and in modeling co-regulation as a powerful tool for teaching emotional resilience.

To those just learning about Humanex: We are a school that leads with heart. We are a team of passionate educators who believe that different is not less—and that every student deserves the opportunity to learn in a space where they are celebrated for exactly who they are.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the most transformative lessons I’ve had to unlearn is what it really means to teach—and more importantly, what it means to support a student’s growth.

Early in my teaching career, I was deeply invested in curriculum development and instructional design, believing that if I just delivered the “right” content the “right” way, learning would naturally follow. But over time—especially since joining Humanex Academy—I realized how incomplete that view was. I had to unlearn the idea that good teaching is about standardization and outcomes, and relearn that great teaching starts with understanding the individual brain, the whole person, and the emotional landscape of each learner.

At Humanex, I’ve come to see how deeply different brains need different supports. Teaching here isn’t about fixing deficits—it’s about leaning into student strengths, honoring their interests, and fostering their ability to advocate for themselves. When you create an environment where students feel safe, valued, and supported, academic progress becomes a byproduct of personal growth.

Our Senior Seminar and Senior Portfolio process exemplifies this shift. In their final year, students reflect deeply on their personal and academic journeys at Humanex. It’s one of the most moving parts of our year—and a profound reminder of how far they’ve come not just as learners, but as people. One student recently wrote in their portfolio:

“Humanex Academy has truly changed my life for the better and I will forever be grateful for you all. With your help I have grown academically, socially, mentally and emotionally… Your encouragement and guidance have empowered me to reach new heights and achieve success. Your influence will continue to inspire me long after I leave Humanex Academy.”

These reflections are never about memorizing facts or mastering content—they’re about relationships, resilience, and discovering the strength to be oneself. That’s what we teach now. And that’s the lesson I continue to learn: that education is most powerful when it starts with empathy and ends in empowerment.

This shift in mindset hasn’t just changed how I teach—it’s fundamentally shaped how I lead. As Head of School, I now mentor and coach our staff through this same lens. I encourage our educators to unlearn rigid expectations and embrace a relational, strength-based approach. We continually work together to align our practices with a shared vision: one where each student is valued not for how well they fit a mold, but for how beautifully they grow outside of it. When our whole team understands this, we become more than a school—we become a safe haven for transformation.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

I didn’t meet Dr. Tom Welch in a boardroom or at a networking event—I met him in the hallways of Humanex Academy, where real collaboration happens in real time, with real students. I joined Humanex in 2011, and Tom came on board in 2012, bringing with him a wealth of experience as a Child Psychologist and a profound understanding of how to support adolescents, particularly in their transition to adulthood.

From the beginning, it was clear that we shared a common belief: if we truly want students to thrive, we have to support the whole child—emotionally, socially, and academically.

Our partnership quickly evolved as we found ourselves aligned in values, priorities, and vision. We spent years collaborating on student support strategies, parent communication, and staff training, always asking: How can we better serve our students in a way that respects who they are and helps them grow into who they are becoming?

Together, we developed the Humanex Personal Growth Model—a framework that moves beyond traditional academics and focuses on helping students build the emotional and interpersonal skills they need for life beyond the classroom. With Tom’s deep clinical expertise and my passion for curriculum development and instructional leadership, we created a layered, developmentally informed model that teaches students how to show up, self-regulate, communicate effectively, and take ownership of their growth.

This model now guides everything we do—from how we teach to how we mentor, assess, and support students in transitioning into adulthood. It’s not a one-size-fits-all system; it’s a personalized, strengths-based approach that empowers students to understand themselves, advocate for their needs, and step into their futures with confidence.

What makes our partnership unique is the way we truly function as a team. We challenge each other, learn from each other, and never lose sight of what matters most—our students. We both believe that being the educational environment our students need and deserve means creating a school experience that is not only academically engaging but also emotionally intelligent, deeply human, and grounded in trust.

Working with Dr. Tom has been one of the most impactful collaborations of my career. Together, we’ve not only shaped a school—we’ve helped shape a community that changes lives.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.humanexacademy.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humanex.academy/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumanexAcademy
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katicahill/

Image Credits

Elizabeth Osberg