Our Staff

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OUR WONDERFUL CPR CERTIFIED STAFF

Valerie Bourbour Principal

H.S. Teacher Math and English

B.A. Psychology, Temple University


Educational Endorsement UCFFlorida Certified Teacher: 1-12 ESE, Middle School Endorsement 6-8, English 6-12, Psychology 6-12. Valerie has over 20 years of administrative experience working as a pioneer with students of Autism in developing an optimal academic environment to promote student success. Her belief is "If a student can't learn the way we teach, then we will teach a way they can learn." 

Holly McIntyre Vice-Principal

H.S. English and Social Studies
B.S. Science, College of Coastal Georgia


Holly has been a part of Dougherty Educational Systems for 10 years before stepping foot into Monarch.  She has a combined experience of 12 years working with special needs students.  Holly was Middle School Coordinator at Halifax Academy for eight years gaining administrative experience before taking over the role of Vice Principal at this facility.  Holly's core quote is  "Students don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”—Anonymous


Lora Brewer Administrative Assistant

High School Teacher
Autism Resource Specialist

Lora has been an Autism advocate for the last 18 years. She has organized support groups and resource groups and volunteered for five years in association with CARD. Lora has been an active member of the Autism Society of Greater Orlando (ASGO) for over 15 years. Her employment includes Volusia County Schools and private school teaching. She's raised two sons on the autism spectrum and her motto is "Every Day is an Adventure!"

Cristy Smith Office Administrator

 Art Teacher


Dental Assistant Certification,
Valencia Community College.


Cristy's experience includes Office Manager and Art Teacher at Bet Sefer Heritage School, Paraprofessional at Saint Brendan's School, and Dental Assistant and Office Manager at Dr. Burch and Dean's Dental in Ormond Beach. Art is a passion for her because being creative is so good for your brain! She loves to share this excitement with her students because it's impossible to make mistakes in art!.


Sabrina Montgomery

High School


Licensed Certified Medical Assistant

Certified Elderly Caregiver, Alzheimer's

Activity Assistant & Care planner with Alzheimer's and Dementia

 A.S. Medical Assisting

A.A. Health Administration

Ordained Non Denominational Doctorate in Theology


Sabrina's goal is to enable her students to be proficient in their studies and interpersonal development; and that commitment does not end when the class period comes to a close. Until you have a kid with special needs, you will have no idea of the depth of our strength, and the importance of patience and love that is needed to become their mentors and resources of life. As a special needs mentor,  we don't have the ability to make life perfect, but we do have the power to show love. Our children are our greatest accomplishments in life.

Cassandra James

High School

B.A. Psychology/Special Needs, Keiser University
Access Coordinator

Florida-certified teacher in History 6-12.  Cass' experience includes one year as a paraprofessional in Bay County Florida schools, following four years as a paraprofessional in an ESE room in Volusia County Schools. She also spent two years as a Middle School US History teacher in VCS.  I love teaching

here at Monarch Academy because it is always a new day, and I am always learning something.  My motto in life is “Every child deserves a champion; an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best they can possibly be.” - Rita Pierson

Elena Glusheska

Middle School

BA English Language, Literature, St. Cyril and Methodius

Monarch Newsletter Coordinator


Florida Certified Teacher Candidate. Elena's experience includes teaching English as a foreign language to young learners in North Macedonia.  She enjoys teaching because it enables her to help students be mature into creative, thoughtful, productive, compassionate individuals.


Amber McIntyre

Middle School Teacher
AA Education, Daytona State


 Amber's paraprofessional experience includes tutoring at Halifax Academy's middle school program. She thoroughly enjoys teaching due to the "ah-ha" moments. That's the moment when she's teaching students and that little light bulb goes off in their minds and comprehension highlights their face. "That's the reason I love teaching. I want to help as many children as I can to get that light bulb to shine."

Wendy Vignet

Elementary School Teacher

B.A. Photo Journalism, State University of New York

Literary Enrichment Specialist


Wendy's experience includes teaching at local area schools including Bet Sefer Heritage School and The Children's House Montessori Academy. She loves interacting with the wonderful students at Monarch Academy which is so inspiring. The opportunity to guide her students as they learn, grow, and become more confident is an incredible experience that allows her to grow as well. 

Nancy Perez

Elementary School Teacher

B.A Elementary Education, Loyola University
Volunteer Speaker Coordinator


Florida Certified Teacher:
Elementary Education, with an emphasis on science. Nancy's experience includes Chicago inner city schools, Bet Sefer Heritage School, and The Children's House. "I love teaching children and opening up a new world for them utilizing enrichment education. I especially love the world of reading and share this passion consistently in my classroom. My days are full of delight watching my students grow and do amazing things. Young children have so much curiosity which makes teaching fun." 

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Marlene Yarina

Paraprofessional




LaTosha James

Paraprofessional

Unique Learning Teacher


Med-Tech Certificate of Completion, WORC

Behavior Tech Counselor Certificate, Stewart Marchman

Child Development Certificate, Community Partnership for Children Sub/Paraprofessional, VCS


Latosha has been a substitute teacher for VCS for 15 years. During this time she has also been employed by WORC teaching students/adults with different learning disabilities and ASD by helping with fine motor, life, and social skills. Latosha has volunteered at Victory Center/Easter Seals in Miami, Florida for two years helping babies and children with their developmental and fine motor skills. Her passion with teaching stems from making sure all students learn and are able to receive the education they need to reach their personal and developmental goals.

Chris Pedretti

Physical Education Coordinator




ETHICS

Reporting of Ethical Misconduct


Reporting of Ethical Misconduct is required by law and is our duty as professionals entrusted with the safety and welfare of students every day. Florida Statute section 39.203 and section 768.095 protect the person reporting ethical misconduct from reprisal by the individual reported or the employer if the report was made in good faith without malicious intent. 


Monarch Academy requires that every employee report any issue that could currently or potentially impact the health, safety, or welfare of its students and Monarch Academy employees.


The process for reporting is as follows. Any incident that an employee believes is potentially harmful to a student or another employee should be immediately reported to their immediate supervisor or in the absence of those persons, to the principal. Any employee who knowingly fails to report misconduct or abuse will be subject to discipline, up to and including termination.


In cases of suspected Physical Abuse, Sexual abuse, or Neglect the employee should report those issues immediately to the 1-800-96Abuse hotline. 


Notice: All employees will be required to complete ethics training on an annual basis as a condition of their employment with Monarch Academy. 

  • Monarch Academy does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, national origin, or sexual orientation in any of its employment practices, educational programs, services or activities.

PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT

Professional misconduct — Daytona Beach, FL — Monarch Academy

Reporting Procedure

Contact: Ms. Valerie Bourbour (Administrator Misconduct)

Principal

(386) 258-9664

Contact: Holly McIntyre

Vice Principal

(386) 258-9664

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