• Stephanie Watson

    Founder/DIRECTOR

    Stephanie is the Founder and Director of Vero Beach Academy. She has a passion for helping students succeed academically and strives to provide an educational atmosphere where each child can thrive.


    She was a public school teacher before starting a local tutoring company and homework center here in Vero Beach. Realizing the need for a co-op that bridged the gap between traditional education and homeschooling, Vero Beach Academy was born!   


    Stephanie has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She is certified to teach all subject areas Kindergarten through 6th grade and specializes in teaching reading through 8th grade.

  • SAMANTHA LECHER

    Co-op Administrator

    Samantha has a Bachelor's of Science in Elementary Education and has been an elementary teacher for 18 years, including teaching Kindergarten at Vero Beach Academy.  She has also been involved in curriculum and teacher development as a math coach in the public schools before joining the VBA family.


    Samantha's role as Elementary Administrator is to effectively impact the instructional practices of the teachers, coach parents to help homeschooling be a success, and mentor the students at Vero Beach Academy. 


  • BEverly Karas

    Office Manager

    Bev has been teaching for over 25 years. For ten years, she taught in a successful hybrid/community school which gives her the knowledge to guide the staff and parents toward success!


    Mrs. Karas has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She is an encourager and loves to build the kids up in the areas in which they are growing. She has been with Vero Beach Academy since its inception in 2015. 

  • kelly brown

    operations manager

    Kelly is enthusiastic about the hybrid model of education, and she has been homeschooling her children through Vero Beach Academy since it was founded. Prior to joining the VBA staff, Kelly was a long-time volunteer at VBA and was previously employed at Indian River Habitat for Humanity. 


    Kelly has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as well as a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University. 

  • Nicole Balogh

    Academic Support Consultant

    VBA is excited to welcome Nicole Balogh as our Academic Support Consultant. She has worked in the Special Education field since 2004, serving first as an Education Specialist, then as a district-wide Parent and Teacher Trainer. 


    Since 2022 she has served as a district-level Special Education Director. Nicole has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and a Master's Degree in Special Education from Point Loma Nazarene University, as well as a Master's Degree in Intercultural Ministry from Nazarene Theological Seminary. 


    She thrives in supporting the collaboration between parents and schools in the development of student-focused academic support plans designed to set students up for success. 

  • Danielle Prue

    Pre-K  Teacher

    Danielle is a very enthusiastic teacher and her goal is to challenge and engage students through hands on learning and a positive environment. She encourages them to reach their potential and help build their confidence. 


    In her classroom, learning comes alive through lots of fun and educational songs and games. As Danielle returns for her 10th year teaching at Vero Beach Academy, she looks forward to working closely with parents to help her students feel loved, safe, and excited to learn!  

  • Samantha Haynes

    Kindergarten

    Samantha is excited to be joining the VBA family as our Kindergarten teacher. She strives to provide engaging learning experiences for each student in her class while building meaningful relationships. 


    She is certified to teach Elementary Education K-6 and has been working with children for many years. Her goal is to strongly live out Christ’s love in all aspects of life. 


    As she joins the VBA family, Samantha looks forward to creating a positive classroom environment where students have the opportunity reach their individual potential and develop a love for learning! Her caring personality and sweet disposition will be the perfect fit for your new Kindergartener this year!



  • Nicole Seidel

    1st GRADE

    Nicole is returning to Vero Beach Academy after 31 years of teaching in upstate New York and was so excited to join the VBA staff last year. 


    She received her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Suny Newpaltz and her Master's Degree in Computer Education.  She is certified to teach PreK-6th grade. 


    Mrs. Seidel is extremely excited to be working with the families and students at VBA and is looking forward to engaging your 1st graders in hands on activities and looks forward to helping the kids become life-long learners! 

  • Carol David

    2nd Grade

    Carol has over 20 years of experience as an elementary school teacher, reading coach and school administrator.  She has a true passion for working with young learners.  She incorporates various teaching methods to adapt to each student’s needs.  She creates a risk-free environment, full of resources and opportunities for learning. 

     

    Carol has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Augustana College, a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Florida Atlantic University and a specialization in ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages). Her unique way to connect with each student makes Mrs. David a great 2nd grade teacher at VBA!


  • Ashley Rebman

    3rd Grade

    Ashley is excited to return to Vero Beach Academy as the 3rd grade teacher.  As a lifelong learner, her goal is to instill a love of learning in her students. She desires to celebrate every learner!


    She has a B.S. in Primary and Elementary Education.  She has 15 years of experience with preschool through fourth grade in Christian education.  Additionally, she has volunteered in Children’s Ministry and public elementary schools for over 20 years. She loves creating interactive lessons where students engage in their own learning. 


    Mrs. Rebman enjoys working alongside the parents, students, and staff to create an environment where the children are loved and excited to learn each day!


  • CHRISTINA BANNISTER

    4th GRADE

    Christina has been working in education for 7 years. She has had the privilege of guiding and mentoring students from diverse backgrounds, having taught 3rd, 5th and high school students in Florida and in East Tennessee. 


    She is committed to lifelong learning, regularly seeking professional development opportunities to enhance her teaching skills and biblical knowledge. Her goal is to make a meaningful impact on future generations. Christina's ability to create a warm, welcoming environment for her students will make her classroom a lovely place to be!


  • Macayla mondragon

    5th GRADE

    Macayla returns to Vero Beach Academy as the 5th grade teacher. Her high-energy, stimulating classroom is perfect for students in their last year of elementary school. Her classroom will allow them to take an active role in their learning through a creative, hands-on approach to learning.  She strives to make education fun without compromising the high academic standards needed to allow children to reach their full potential. 


    Mrs. Mondragon is certified to teach Elementary Education K-6 in the state of Florida. She loves working with students and helping them find their unique strengths to be successful. Along with teaching 5th grade, Macayla will also be serving in Elementary Support for to teachers, parents and the administrative team.

  • Carol Kapostasy

    Middle School

    Carol is committed to working with your child to foster a love of learning, to reach his or her potential, and to become a life-long learner. Her goal is to find ways to precisely meet the individual needs of each child in her class  


    She taught Middle School in Ohio for twenty-four years. Coming to VBA in 2020, she was able to continue her love of working with students. Carol is certified to teach all subjects first through eighth grade and has earned the distinction of Master Teacher and Highly Qualified Teacher. She has both a Bachelors degree and Masters degrees in education. 

  • Samantha Miller

    MIDDLE SCHOOL

    Ms. Samantha Miller joins us after teaching in Hawaii as well as across the state of Florida. She has her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a Master's Degree in Environmental Education from Florida Atlantic University. She has her ESOL Endorsement and TESOL Certification as well. 


    She loves teaching within her community and making last connections with her students and families. Her bubbly and warm personality creates a welcoming environment for her students! Her creative way to engage students in learning will help make VBA's Middle School program a special place to grow.

  • Holly Bailey

    MIDDLE SCHOOL

    More than just learning formulas and basic practice problems, Mrs. Bailey's classroom is full of real-world experiences and project based learning allowing each middle school student to gain insight about where math can take them!


    Holly is certified to teach 6th-12th grade Math. She has many years of teaching experience including: Indian River Charter High school, Sebastian Charter Junior High School, and is a veteran homeschool mom of 3. 


  • Shannon Wells

    MIDDLE SCHOOL

    Shannon Wells is a Native to the Treasure Coast of Florida and has always had a love for working with children. She is a homeschool mom of four kids and has her own mini farm. She loves connecting real life experiences with students in their Reading and Writing.


    Shannon has a B.S in Exceptional Education and a Masters in Secondary Reading. She is certified to teach all subjects in K-6, Exceptional Student Education K-12 and Middle Grades English. She also has her Reading and ESOL endorsements. Shannon has taught Middle School Language Arts and Reading as well as High School English and worked as a tutor. She believes in meeting students where they are and finding ways to get them engaged with conversations that can be turned into writing.