Meet Our Team: The Experts Guiding Recovery and Academic Excellence

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Meet Our Team: The Experts Guiding Recovery and Academic Excellence

When a family searches for a recovery high school, they are often navigating a crisis. Finding the right environment for a struggling teen is incredibly important. You need a place that offers expert academics. Furthermore, you need compassionate, dedicated support for recovery. At Emerald School of Excellence, our success rests entirely on the individuals who show up every single day. They are the backbone of our mission. These professionals provide both accountability and care. They set the tone for the entire community. We are proud of the extraordinary group of mentors, educators, and leaders who comprise our staff. It is time to officially meet our team.

The Emerald Philosophy: Experience Meets Expertise

The philosophy at Emerald is built on dual foundations. We value both lived experience and professional expertise. This intentional mix makes our community uniquely effective. Every staff member is here for a specific purpose. Some bring advanced degrees and decades of classroom instruction. Conversely, others bring the power of personal recovery. They understand the daily struggles firsthand. This combination ensures our students are supported intellectually and emotionally. They receive rigorous academic instruction. In addition, they get guidance from people who truly understand their journey. This creates a deeply supportive culture. Our team is dedicated to providing robust accountability. However, this is always balanced with deep, unwavering care. This balance is critical for long-term recovery and academic success. Meet our team and discover this powerful difference.

The Extra Mile: Where Care Becomes Action

Our commitment goes far beyond the school bell. Our staff consistently goes above and beyond the expected. They meet the unique, often complex, needs of our students. This is a core part of the Emerald commitment.

For instance, a Recovery Support Staff member recently connected a student with a potential job opportunity. They even helped them with the resume. Our staff commonly makes this level of personal investment. This active involvement builds essential trust. Similarly, our team attends students’ graduations from treatment programs. This shows personalized support during major transitions. A teacher might stay after school routinely. They will work one-on-one with a student on a tough subject. This commitment ensures academic excellence. Ultimately, this willingness to go the extra mile defines our community culture. Our team views this investment as a privilege, not a requirement. Therefore, our students realize they are valued as individuals first.

Academic Excellence: Guiding Futures

Academic stability is non-negotiable for future success. Our dedicated academic staff brings outstanding professional credentials to the classroom. This is a crucial element of our excellence.

Rachael Wilson

Rachael Wilson
Team Lead & Science Teacher

She brings over thirty-five years of Science teaching experience. She is a past winner of the Time Warner Cable Star Teacher of the Year. This wealth of experience translates into engaging, high-level instruction.

Dylan Sprinkle

Dylan Sprinkle
History Teacher

Dylan has six years of experience as a History teacher. He makes history come alive for our students.

Chris Fyfe

Chris Fyfe
Math Teacher

Chris serves as our dedicated Math Teacher. He brings four years of essential experience as a Math teacher.

Sivonne Stone

Sivonne Stone
English & ACT Prep Teacher

Sivonne handles English and ACT Prep. She has over ten years of experience as an ACT prep tutor. She also has over twenty-five years of experience as an English teacher. This prepares our students well for college entrance exams.

Meghan Nance

Meghan Nance
Art Teacher & Virtual Classroom Coordinator

She has over twenty-five years of experience as an Arts educator. She provides crucial creative outlets for expression and healing.

Consequently, the Academics Team ensures that every student receives a world-class education.

The Recovery Core: Lived Experience Leadership

The heart of the Emerald difference lies within the Recovery Team. They provide the day-to-day emotional and peer support that is absolutely essential for healing. Here, you will truly meet our team.

Stephanie Behuniak

Stephanie Behuniak
Director of Recovery

Leading this vital department, Stephanie holds a bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. Furthermore, she has five years of experience working in the substance use disorder treatment field. Currently, she is diligently working towards her LMHC and CADC credentials.

Mac Harrison

Mac Harrison
Recovery Support Specialist

Mac is a proud graduate of the Emerald School of Excellence. He is a certified Peer Support Specialist. He has two years of experience working in the substance use disorder treatment field. Mac is also working towards his CADC.

Cooper Miller

Cooper Miller
Recovery Support Specialist

Cooper serves as another dedicated Recovery Support Specialist. He is also a successful Emerald School of Excellence graduate and a certified Peer Support Specialist.

Administration: Setting the Vision

The entire operation is supported by a dedicated Administrative Team. They ensure stability and mission focus. This team provides the vital blend of educational and clinical understanding necessary for success.

Mary Ferreri

Mary Ferreri
Principal & Founder

Mary brings over fifteen years of teaching experience in both public and private school settings. She has worked at Emerald as an administrator for five years.

Gabby Wohlford

Gabby Wohlford
Assistant Principal

Gabby has five years of experience working as an administrator at Emerald High School. She also has two years of experience working in the substance use disorder treatment field.

Janelle Mortimer

Janelle Mortimer
Project Coordinator

Janelle brings over thirty-five years of experience from Corporate America. Her experience ensures effective daily operations.

This blend of professional skills provides a stable, secure foundation for the Emerald School of Excellence.

Your Next Step: Getting to Know Us

Choosing a recovery high school is a monumental decision. It requires trust. Ultimately, the team at Emerald School of Excellence is our greatest asset. Each member is committed to the unique mission of the school. They combine professional credentials with genuine care. They provide academic challenge alongside compassionate recovery support. If you are searching for a safe, structured, and challenging environment for your teen, we encourage you to meet our team in person. We are ready to help your teen achieve lasting recovery and academic success. We are ready to answer your questions.

Our 3-Step Enrollment Process

Take the first step and see how Emerald School of Excellence can provide your struggling teen with the support they need to thrive academically. Our experienced team is here to guide you and your teen every step of the way.

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