OUR WONDERFUL STAFF

 H.S. Teacher Math and English
B.A. Psychology Temple University, Educational Endorsement UCF, Florida Certified Teacher: K-12 ESE, Middle School Endorsement 6-8, English 6-12, Psychology 6-12

Valerie has over 30 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." 

 Middle School Teacher
Literary Enrichment Specialist
B.A. Recreation Management with a concentration in Outdoor Experiential Education, Appalachian State. MS. Ed with a concentration in School Counseling, Indiana University. 

Emily's experience includes a Residential Instructor for the Autism Society,  a Behavior Consultant for Easter Seals, and a middle and high school guidance counselor.  She takes great pride in seeing her students respond positively to individualized behavioral and academic interventions that she creates.  

 Art Teacher
H.S. Diploma, Deland High School,  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! .

 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!" 

  Professional Development 

Middle/High School Teacher

 B.F.A.  Moore College of Art and Design,  M.F.A. Fine Art Ceramics and Pottery, Instituto Allendea, M.Ed, Varying Exceptionalities and an Autism Endorsement, Stetson University. 
Meryl's experience includes teaching Pottery and Kiln Arts at Stony Brook University,  Ceramic Arts at WORC, and a VCS teacher for nine years in ESE/VE.  She enjoys helping students recognize their passions through exploring individual talents and sparking creativity. "It's so important to tap that river that leads to growth, change, and knowledge." 

 Middle/High School Teacher
Disaster/Crisis Coordinator

B.S. Supervision and Management, Daytona State College 

Amy's experience includes Halifax Medical Center ED/Pediatric Tech,  Daytona Beach Police Officer, and Commissioner for Pop Warner football . She enjoys working with students who are a challenge to her and themselves. Amy wants to change the world's view of Autism by taking it one step at a time.  She offers a culinary class for her students to teach them one of the essentials skills of life.   .

Elementary/Middle School Teacher

 B.S. Supervision & Management
Daytona State College
State of Florida Certification K-6
State of Florida Insurance Licenses 

Suzanne followed a lifelong dream of teaching after working in the insurance industry while raising a family.  Her love of teaching children was an innate ability reinforced with paraprofessional experience, substituting, working with children in an after school program and finally, state certification to teach K-6.
“Curiosity is a child’s best friend. I like to help children to learn how to love learning, not just teach.”

 Paraprofessional

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.

H.S. Math and Science

B.S. Science, Lee University

Heath is a Florida native from New Smyna Beach where several teachers and coasches impacted his high school years concerning the importance of being a difference maker in life.

He received his BS with an emphasis on math and science in grades K-8.

Heath taught math and auto mechanics for 11 years at Bachman Academy, a boarding and day school for students with learining differences.  There he tutored most sunject areas.  He is happy to be on staff at Monarch Academy working in the field that he loves.