Matthew Weneta
Matthew D. Weneta, MEd. Owner & Director
Matthew is the founder and director of Aerie Experiences and has worked in the treatment and education fields since 1994. He specializes in working with children and young adults with complicated neurobiology and developmental trauma. He holds a Master’s in Education from the University of Georgia in Recreation Administration with a focus on Experiential Therapies as well as a Bachelor’s of Science in Special Education from Georgia Southwestern State University.
As a child Matthew fit in at scouts, on the soccer pitch and at summer camp. He did not read or write well. Did not fit in at school. Struggled with auditory processing, dyslexia, sensory integration and apraxia. Diagnosed in kindergarten in the 1970s, Matthew had a long list of ever-changing diagnoses and services. As Matthew progressed through primary school, academic struggles and taking the world in differently than others grew into trouble, more than a little. Never digging a hole with a dump truck and not carrying that dirt across town in a backhoe, his uncle Mike provided Matthew with experiences that focused on his strengths. This is the focus of Aerie and Matthew’s work: Give kids experiences that are novel and strength-based to rewire their brains.
His previous experience includes directing Blackwater Outdoor Experiences, a wilderness therapy program that focused on creating positive motivation for change in youth, young adults with complicated neurobiology and trauma and their families. Matthew ran two therapeutic boarding schools and an adventure camp for at-risk children and also spent 10 years teaching in psycho-ed, hospital and magnet settings. He previously sat on the board of Kids Enabled, a nonprofit that provided access to programing and information for children with special needs.
Matthew spent more than a decade working directly with over 300 residential treatment programs across the United Sates and internationally (and he says he stole a lot of good ideas from them!). He has been developing and overseeing multidisciplinary treatment plans for over 20 years in both residential and home settings. Matthew regularly provides consultation to local special needs schools and programs. Among others, he designed and helped to launch The Hope School at Jacob’s Ladder in Roswell, GA.
Previously Matthew was a professor at the University of North Georgia and Gainesville State College teaching courses in Adventure Based Counseling, the Prescriptive Use of Recreation, Psychology, Philosophy, wilderness hard skills, rock climbing, trekking and paddling. He has also been a wilderness guide, camp counselor and an award-winning soccer coach.
Contact me directly by phone/email: mdweneta@aerieexperiences.com / 404-285-0467
