Meet the Behavior Analysts
Annabel Kaplan, PhD, BCBA-D
Clinical Director, Founder & Owner
Annabel Kaplan is the founder and clinical director of Common Ground Learning. She received her BS in psychology from Florida State University, MS in special education from Hunter College in New York City, and PhD in applied behavior analysis (ABA) from Endicott College. She became a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) in 2012. Her research interests include quality and engagement within direct therapy sessions. Annabel has over 20 years of experience successfully supporting children with autism and related disabilities in making meaningful gains across home, clinic, community, and educational settings. She lives in Boise, ID with her husband, Nick, and two daughters.
Jessica Kaufman, MEd, BCBA Behavior Analyst, Assistant Clinical Manager
Jessica Kaufman earned her Bachelor's degree in English in 2015 from Rollins College in Winter Park, FL. She was accepted into Teach for America’s first cohort in Idaho. Jessica taught 7th grade English for two years as a Teach for America corps member. During her tenure, she realized that not only did she love working with kids, but she most enjoyed working with kids with special needs and behavioral challenges. After consulting with a Board Certified Behavior Analyst for a student while teaching 9th grade in Seattle, WA, Jessica chose to move back to Boise and pursue her masters in Applied Behavior Analysis at Arizona State University while working as a behavior interventionist and then a registered behavior technician in an autism center. Jessica earned her Board Certified Behavior Analyst Credential in April of 2024. Jessica has worked with learners of all ages and is passionate about ensuring all kids who need it have access to ABA services. In her downtime, Jessica enjoys spending time with her partner, 4 kids, and three big dogs, reading, and going on road trips to see beautiful places.
Sarah Melchner, MA, BCBA
Behavior Analyst
Sarah Melchner is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with Common Ground Learning. She earned her Bachelor’s of Arts in Anthropology from California State University, Sacramento in the Fall of 2020. Her studies prioritized the areas of human behavior and evolutionary biology. During her undergraduate studies, Sarah began working as an RBT with a variety of clients across the Sacramento area. After seeing the tremendous impact of ABA on her clients and families, Sarah pursued a graduate program in the field of ABA and graduated with her Master's in Applied Behavior Analysis at Arizona State University. During her Master's program and under the supervision of a BCBA, Sarah worked as a Behavior Specialist providing supervision, parent training, and direct treatment to clients across the ages of 2 to 22. Sarah graduated from her Master’s program in May of 2023 and achieved the title of Board Certified Behavior Analyst in August of 2023. Sarah’s areas of interest include teaching tolerance behavior cusps, functional communication, leisure skills, and helping learners access more of their surrounding environment and community. When she is not working, Sarah can be found mountain biking, snowboarding, playing with her dog, or cooking.