Staff Directory

• Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum & Instruction, University of South FL
• Educational Specialist in Educational Leadership, University of South FL
• MA in Mental Retardation & Gifted Education, University of South FL
• BS in Special Education, University of South FL

Dr. Wooley-Brown is the third president in the school’s 40 year history. She most recently served as a Senior Vice President-Chief Program Officer-Florida for White Hat Management, where she was responsible for developing community partnerships to establish charter schools for at-risk and drop-out students across the state of Florida. Prior to joining White Hat Management, she founded the Florida Charter School Resource Center at the University of South Florida, Tampa, and served as its Executive Director.

Dr. Wooley-Brown has dedicated her life to education, and has applied her passion for education by serving in virtually every capacity, including positions as professor, teacher, author, administrator, and life-long learner. Her primary goal is that all children can succeed and graduate given the right support and education!

Dr. Wooley-Brown believes learning is a life long journey. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum & Instruction, Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership, a Master of Arts in Mental Retardation & Gifted Education, and a Bachelor of Arts in Special Education, all from the University of South Florida. She has also completed post-doctoral work in school restructuring and school reform at Harvard University.

• BS in Child Development and Family Relations, Florida State University
•  MA in Mental Health Counseling, Florida State University
• Specialist in Education, Educational Psychology - Counseling and Human Systems, Florida State University

Melanie was born and raised in Tampa Bay and returned to the area after completing her graduate work at Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL. After completing clinicalssuch as at the Florida State Prison working with adults who had committed serious crimes, at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital as a therapist for adolscents, and her final clinical with Hospice in the children's program, Melanie decided her passion was working with children and positively impacting their lives. After moving back to the Tampa Bay Area, Melanie began her career at a psychiatric residential facilty as the Lead Therapist for boys ages 10-14, as well as the Trauma Counselor, running groups for boys and girls suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. After several years working in the residential program, Melanie transferred to the day school program at the same treatment facility. There Melanie discovered her passion for working in education. Melanie started as the day school therapist, providing individual and group therapy for students, as well as developing learning and behavior plans to accommodate the chidrens' differences and needs. After a short time, Melanie was promoted to Administration and carried other duties such as admissions, IEP development, budgeting, scheduling, and curriculum development.

In 2008, Melanie joined the Vanguard School as the Educational Therapist. As the Educational Therapist, Melanie provided individual and group therapy, conducted staffings, developed learning plans for students, worked as the Guidance and Career Counselor, scheduled classes, and was Co-Chair of the FCIS and SACS accreditation team. In 2009 Melanie took on additional responsibilities as Senior Class Sponsor and in 2010 became the Girls' Varisty Volleyball Coach. Melanie continues to advance and dedicate her career to the students of Vanguard. Melanie has the honor as working as the Assistant Head of School and become active in the development and admissions process, oversee student academic and residential plans, as well as continue to provide therapy and support for all Vanguard students.

Melanie is a proud mother of two small sons and is thankful for the love, friendship, and support of her husband and extended family.

Derri Park, a veteran educational leader from West Palm Beach, has been appointed as principal for the Vanguard School. Mrs.Park brings several decades of leadership to the school, having been involved in alternative education and exceptional student education in her prior positions. Most recently, she served as North Area Coordinator for the School District of Palm Beach County’s special education services division.

In addition, she holds a Specialist degree (Ed.S.)  in Educational Leadership from Barry University, as well as a Master’s degree in Special Education from Florida State University.

Mrs. Park has dedicated her entire career to the education of students with learning differences and has long been an advocate for students and their individual needs. With the transition to the Vanguard School, comes an amazing opportunity to realize the potential that exists in a school where there are individualized programs of study and socialization opportunities for every student.  “Our school personnel do amazing work every day.  I am excited to be a part of the Vanguard School.”

Mrs. Park is residing locally to serve the school as it enters its 47^th year of serving students with mild to moderate learning differences.

BA in Organizational Management, Warner University
• MA in Business Administration, Warner University

Mr. Rob Williams has worked for the Vanguard School for 3 years now in various areas of the school. He has taught Science, Language Arts, and has supervised our APEX Computer Lab, Woodshop, and ISS. Mr. Williams was recently promoted to Assistant Principal this past summer, and is already making wonderful improvements to the lives of our students! In additon to his experience here at Vanguard, Mr. Williams previously worked as an adjunct professor at Warner University, a Project Manager for various construction companies, and as Director of Facilities and Maintenance at Florida Southern College. He brings four years of military service in the U.S. Coast Guard as well. He is defnitely an asset to our school!

Mr. Sheppard has worked with Vanguard School students for 25 years and has served in numerous positions including Athletic/Recreation Director, Dean of Students, dorm supervisor, PE teacher, and has coached basketball, track, tennis, golf, and volleyball.   The favorite part of his job, according to Mr. Sheppard, “is when former students call to tell me how successful they are.

A Miami, Florida native, Mrs. Hewitt has lived in Polk County for more than 18 years, and has served over eleven years as the Business Manager at Vanguard. She also serves as the Secretary/Treasurer for the Vanguard School Board of Trustees and the Vanguard School Foundation. Prior to her employment with the Vanguard School, Mrs. Hewitt worked in the Foundation Office at Polk Community College for four years and at the Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant as an Administrative Supervisor for fifteen years. She is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

• BS in Business Management and Marketing, University of South Florida Polytechnic
• AA in Liberal Arts, Polk Community College
• AAS in Business Administration and Management with a Specialization in Marketing
• Technical Certificate - Business Specialist, Valencia Community College
• Technical Certificate - Business Management, Valencia Community College
• Technical Certificate - Business Operations, Valencia Community College  

Ms. Candi Medeiros joined the Vanguard Admissions Department in 2010 as the Admissions Assistant. She has since taken on the roll of Admissions and Marketing Specialist, and works in recruiting students. Before joining the Vanguard Family, Ms. Medeiros worked in management in various areas of the medical and dental fields. She brings with her an extensive amount of education and hands-on experience.

As an important member of our Admissions Team, Ms. Medeiros enjoys meeting and getting to know each and every student. Her cheerful attitude and devotion to the students makes her a key component of our Vanguard Family.

• BA. in Psychology, St. Leo University
• MA in Education, University of South Florida

Mr. Alexander has a wealth of experience in the field of education, and has been working with students for the past eleven years. He is not only a certified math teacher, but is a certified ESE teacher as well. He was applauded for his work with students by being selected as the Charter School Teacher of the Year in 2003. Albert then expanded his horizons by serving as the Assessment/Accountability Coordinator in the Charter School System. He is well-versed in the educational options offered to students with varying needs, and is able to guide parents and their children so that they can make the best choices possible in regards to their children’s future. Mr. Alexander’s work experience also includes 24 years of service to the US Air Force, where he gained valuable insight into management practices while serving in a supervisory position. Mr. Alexander’s dedication to serving students has led him to become a certified Kumon Math Instructor, assisting children not only to develop their math skills, but to also develop a passion for the subject that tends to intimidate so many of our students.

Mr. Fitzgerald brings six years of Information Technology experience to the Vanguard School, including two years as a network consultant to numerous businesses in the Central Florida area. He holds Network and Comptia A certifications, as well as the Microsoft MCSA and Messaging certifications.

Media Center
Learning Specialist, Library/Media Center
• BA in Organizational Management, Webber College

Room 7, Lower School
English
• BA in The Classics/English/Education Major, Agnes Scott College

Room 6, Lower School
AP English, English IV, and English III

• BA in Mass Communications/Journalism, Florida Southern College  
• Master of Education, Florida Southern College

Room 1, Lower School (Fast ForWord Lab)
Fast ForWord, American Sign Language
• MA in Special Education, California Baptist University
• MA in Deaf & Hard of Hearing, University of Southern California
• BA in Liberal Studies, California Baptist University

Room 35, IPAC
Testing and Transition Coordinator

M.Ed. in Special Education/Varying Exceptionalities, University of South FL

Certifications: Varying exceptionalities, Emotionally Handicapped, Specific Learning Disabilities, and Middle School

Nancy Hallfin has dedicated a long career to working  with students with learning differences and disabilities. During her career with Polk County Public Schools she concentrated on working with teens in middle and high school. Later mentoring exceptional student teachers in schools throughout the district. As a professor at Polk Community College she was able to guide future teachers in the skills and techniques for successfully working with exceptional students.

Room 8, Lower School
Learning Specialist
• BA in Psychology, University of Western Australia
• Post-Graduate Diploma in Special Education, University of Western Australia

• Masters of Arts in Teaching (Special Education), Warner Southern College

Room 24, Upper School
Math - Student Teacher
• Business Management/Oceanography, Pusan National University – Korea

Room 34, IPAC
Culinary Arts, Spanish
• Doctoral Student in Educational Leadership, Grand Canyon University
• M.Ed. in TESOL, Grand Canyon University
• MA Adult Education and Distance Education, University of Phoenix
• MA in Curriculum Development, University of Phoenix
• BS in Secondary Education, Catholic University of Puerto Rico

Room 4, Lower School
Algebra II, Statistics & Probability, Geometry, Geometry Honors
• BS in Math, Lawrence Technical University

Room 3, Lower School
English 7, English 8, Junior Social Studies, Junior Science
• MA in Education, Southeastern University 
• BA in English/Minor in History, Metropolitan State College of Denver

University of Central Florida, B.S. Chemistry

Room 28, Upper School

Geometry, Algebra, Pre Algebra

• Secondary School Mathematics, INHA University – Korea
• BS, Education, INHA University - Korea

Room 16, Upper School
Spanish I, Spanish II
• BA in Spanish, University of South Florida
• AS in Theatre, Florida School of the Arts
• AA in General Studies, Polk Community College

Room 23, Upper School
Physical Science, Biology, Physical Science, Anatomy & Physiology
• MD, Obafemi Awolow University (Nigeria)
• DGO (Obstetrics/Gynecology), University of Dublin

Room 10, Upper School
Explorations in Math, Junior Math, Life Management
• BS in Psychology, State University of New York
• MA in Psychology, Walden University

Sabbagh Hall, Ext 1100

Berry Hall, Ext 1114

West Hall, Ext 1112

Sabbagh Hall, Ext 1100

Berry Hall, Ext 1114

West Hall, Ext 1112

Sabbagh Hall, Ext 1100

West Hall, 1112

West Hall, Ext 1112

Berry Hall, Ext 1114

West Hall, Ext 1112

West Hall, Ext 1112

Berry Hall, Ext 1114

Boyd Hall, Ext 1111

West Hall, Ext 1112

Berry Hall, Ext 1114 – House Mother

Traviss Technical Center, 2000

AS, Polk Community College 1996

Medical Assistant Technician, Florida Technical College 2009