Our team

  Hello! I'm Heather Badger-Brown. I live in lovely Upstate New York where I like to cook, geocache, sing and play video games in my spare time. 

I've been teaching for more than 25 years and it's my passion.  

I am a Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner and have New York State teaching certifications in Reading, Special Education and Elementary Education. I  believe all children deserve a chance to learn in an engaging and encouraging environment which is why I love teaching for The Academy Virtual.

Hello! I am Mahogany Murphy and I live in the beautiful countryside of west Georgia. I have been teaching various subjects for fifteen years. I attended Loyola Marymount University and graduated with a degree in English.

 After homeschooling my own children for a few years, I decided to get a teaching certification in elementary education. In order to equip me to support students with dyslexia more effectively, I went through Orton-Gillingham training. A multisensory approach to teaching is important for our nontraditional learners. 

When I'm not teaching, I enjoy hiking, traveling, and spending time with my family.

    Hi! My name is Marnie Witters and I have a BA in English from the University of Georgia. Go Dawgs! I also hold an MS degree in Technical and Professional Communications from Southern Polytechnic State University.

My background includes about 20 years of experience as a technical writer and editor in software corporations around Atlanta. In addition, I've been teaching the last 10 years in both public and private school environments. I also taught within our homeschool community classes.

Helping students see their potential is my passion! As their teacher, I love to see them grow by connecting with their learning style, understanding who they are, and encouraging their strengths!

I’m thrilled to be part of such an amazing team at The Academy Virtual! I can’t wait to help make a difference in the students’ lives.

   Hi! I am Katherine (Katie) Vetere born and raised in Brooklyn, New York turned Jersey
girl. I live with my husband, and 2 children. I am a daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt,
friend, and educator. Both of my parents were educators and it has been my passion,
since childhood, to be a next generation leader. 

I graduated from Monmouth University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education and Anthropology. I continued my education and completed my
Masters Degree in Teaching Students with Disabilities at Pace University. I then went on to achieve an advanced certificate in Teaching Gifted and Talented Students at Hunter College. I didn't stop there. While teaching at my last district, I completed my
Wilson Reading Program Level 1 Certification.

   Hi I am Jessica! I have been teaching literacy (grammar, composition, literature, and phonics) and drama for 10 years. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Communications/English (Reinhardt University) and a Master of Arts in Professional Writing (Kennesaw State University). 

I have taught students from 4 years old to seniors in high school in both public schools, online schools, and Christian homeschool hybrid programs. I am a certified Dyslexia Therapist (Wilson Reading System) and has been tutoring students with dyslexia since 2020 both virtually and in person. 

Before becoming a teacher, I worked as a writer/editor for newspapers, magazines, and an engineering firm. I have had two published books and has written numerous articles for magazines.

My husband and I have been married since 2010. We live in northwest Arkansas with their two children and one Yorkie. I have always loved reading and writing and sharing her love of both with students. I enjoy getting outside and exploring with her family– hiking, kayaking, and camping. 

  My name is Craig and I live in Massachusetts with my 8-year old son, Harrison, and my cat, Rozy. I have been teaching for 23 years now and feel I am still learning how to improve each and every year. I have taught all grade levels and even had the opportunity to teach students from Beijing, China for a couple of summers. 

I currently teach Grades 5 & 6 in a small, therapeutic school in Massachusetts and am very happy to now have the opportunity to also be a part of The Academy community. Teaching has always been a passion of mine and I truly value the relationships and connections that I am able to build with students.  

Some other hobbies of mine include playing soccer, going to the beach and spending time outdoors, reading, and traveling. I have traveled across the globe and have been to a number of different countries, as well as most states in the US. 

I am very excited to be a part of The Academy team and look forward to connecting with all students.

Hey there, I’m Claire! My journey into teaching began early on as I had the privilege of assisting my older brother Chris, who is on the autism spectrum, throughout our childhood. This experience sparked my passion for education and led me to my first roles in schools and community settings, where I worked with non-traditional learners. 

I pursued this passion at Binghamton University, earning a BA in Psychology, a BS in Human Development, and a minor in Education. 

My teaching adventure took an exciting turn when I moved to Prague, Czech Republic, where I spent four years teaching at an international school. This experience not only deepened my love for teaching but also ignited my passion for travel—I've been fortunate to visit 23 countries and look forward to exploring more.

Currently, I’m working toward an MSEd in General and Special Education at Hunter College in New York City. I’m thrilled to be part of The Academy team and eager to help guide students as they explore their unique learning journeys, building the skills and confidence to thrive both in and out of the classroom!

 Hi, I’m Kristy Spinuzzi and I’ve been teaching for 22 years! I enjoy visiting amusement parks and the zoo, spending time with my family, reading, watching soccer, and running. 

I have a maltipoo named Halo, but we call her Foofy! I absolutely adore her, and I would probably have 10 dogs if my husband wouldn’t divorce me!  

I am passionate about teaching and empowering our youth to become the best they can be. Let's make it a great year! 

 Hello! My name is Holly Medlong. I live in northeast Ohio with my husband, son, and far too many pets (my husband likes to joke that we have a petting zoo at our home. We have 2 dogs and 3 cats). In Ohio, we get to enjoy all four seasons. Our family also enjoys outdoor activities and sports, such as skiing, baseball, swimming, and going on hikes. 

I went to college in South Carolina and graduated with a degree in special education. When back in Ohio, I began working in a local public school district and continued my education. I then received a master’s of education degree in reading. I furthered my education by becoming certified in the Wilson reading system and becoming a phonological intervention specialist. I am certified in the state of Ohio for reading as well as special education.

I love phonics and reading and am so excited to work with students to further their literacy skills while developing a love of reading.