EXCEL's Texas Boarding School Staff
Don Vardell, Executive Director
Since August of 2007 Don has been the Executive Director of EXCEL Academy of Texas in Conroe, Texas. An experienced program administrator and someone who is passionate about serving the needs of families and students with high quality programs, Don has also been at the helm of two other residential schools prior to coming to EXCEL Academy of Texas. From 2004 to 2007, Don was the Executive Director of another Aspen Education Group therapeutic boarding school, the Academy at Swift River in Western Massachusetts, and prior to that was the Administrator of a residential treatment program in Tennessee.
Don has a BA in Psychology from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, and a MS degree from there as well. For the first several years of his career, Don was a program director within the student activities division of two major universities and then spent 6 years at the National Headquarters of the American Red Cross in Washington DC serving as a project manager and then division director. After a brief stint as a senior business development officer with a large, multi-facility hospital system in Northern Virginia, Don decided to move into the private, parent-choice therapeutic education industry in 2002 and has been happily challenged ever since.
Don lives in the Lake Conroe area with his wife and 2 young children where they enjoy the outdoors, cooking, sports and travel together. Don is an active American Red Cross national level volunteer and currently serves as the National Chair of Preparedness and Health & Safety Services. He values community service and creating an environment that fosters a sense of "giving back" by role modeling that for EXCEL students. His vision for EXCEL Academy of Texas is to continue the tradition of serving families in need and ensuring that the promise of helping teens make right choices, develop healthy relationships, and live a successful life in recovery is delivered and done so in an environment of transparency, integrity, and respect.
Scott Spaw, Clinical Director
Scott joined EXCEL Academy of Texas in July and very quickly became an in indispensable member of the team. Along with managing the Counseling Services department, Scott reviews new students for enrollment, trains staff, and holds individual counseling sessions with students as needed. He oversees staff clinicians, nursing, and expedites physician relationships. Scott takes part in every aspect of an EXCEL's student's life; from admission to graduation.
Scott is well-qualified to handle all the tasks he is entrusted with. He has his Masters in Counseling from Stephen F. Austin University, and is working on his PsyD from California Coast University. Scott is also a Certified Trauma Resolution Therapist, Certified Crisis Intervention Therapist, and Licensed Child Care Administrator.
A native Texan, Scott loves to spend his free time outdoors. He and his wife and 4 children enjoy reading and spending quality time together.
Duncan McGinnis, Academic Director
As a kid Duncan needed a place like EXCEL Academy of Texas. For him drugs, alcohol and other high risk behaviors always took priority over education and in college he found himself on academic probation and facing expulsion from college for poor grades. While in the Navy, Duncan sought help and found Alcoholics Anonymous, finally getting sober on June 1, 1989. After being honorably discharged, Duncan enrolled at the University of Arkansas where he made the Honor Roll for the first time in his life. Duncan graduated with honors in January 1993 with a B.A. in Political Science and minor in History. Duncan completed the requirements for his masters in Education in 2008.
After graduating from college, Duncan decided to pursue a career helping kids who, like him, struggled with drugs, alcohol and a lack of direction in life. In 1993 he took a position as a wilderness counselor with the Bob Lanier Wilderness Program in Texas. After 18 months there Duncan became a counselor with Montgomery County Youth Services, and then served two and a half years as Program Director of Big Brothers and Sisters in Montgomery County. Duncan came to EXCEL Academy of Texas as a part-time teacher in January 1999, went full-time in June teaching all Social Studies classes and working as a family leader as well. He was promoted to Assistant Academic Director in June 2004 and Academic Director in 2007.
Duncan's priority as Academic Director is to ensure that each student who enrolls at EXCEL Academy of Texas is able to succeed academically to the fullest extent of their capabilities and to develop an intrinsic motivation to learn that will enable them to pursue and accomplish any goal they have in life.
Barbara Potignano, Admissions Director
Barbara is often the first point of contact for parents in crisis. Barbara has been working at EXCEL Academy for over 8 years, guiding families through the emotionally draining process of handing their child over to virtual strangers. Barbara's empathy and compassion have enabled her to connect with parents and make the process of enrollment flow smoothly; sharing with them her own experiences and encouraging them to ask questions until they are completely comfortable with their decision.
Barbara came to Texas via New Jersey, and you can still hear it in her voice. She enjoys family vacations on the Jersey shore and loves to browse flea markets and antique malls.
Barbara finds fulfillment in helping families who are experiencing issues similar to those that she encountered while raising her sons.
Kathleen Treadway, MA, LPCI, LCDC, Recovery Services Manager
Kathleen is the newest member of the clinical team, having joined EXCEL Academy in February, 2008. She has a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology form Sam Houston State University. She is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor. She is an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous, with a sobriety date of July 6, 1994. She is also active in the recovery community as the parent of a sober teenage addict.
Kathleen has experience working with adolescents with substance abuse issues, as well as, depression, eating disorders, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, defiant behavior, ADD/ADHD, sexual orientation issues, and attachment issues. She understands chemical dependency from her graduate studies, clinical experiences, and personal experiences. She also understands the trauma that can be experienced by parents of substance abusing adolescents.
Kathleen enjoys both working with adolescents and programming to ensure comprehensive and effective integration of twelve-step recovery into our therapeutic modalities.
Mike Charnley, Program Manager
A seasoned private therapeutic program professional, Michael started volunteering with high school students in 1991 after his graduation from Winthrop University with a degree in Business Administration. After six years of volunteering with his local church and the Hugh O’Brian Youth Foundation (HOBY) he decided he wanted to work with high school aged teens for a living. Michael returned to Winthrop University and earned his Masters of Education in Community and Agency Counseling. Upon his graduation he worked at a private therapeutic boarding school in Georgia for two years then moved to a residential behavioral health facility in Atlanta. In 2000 Michael accepted a job at the Academy at Swift River, an Aspen Education Group therapeutic boarding school in Massachusetts. While there, Michael worked as a Peer Group Counselor and a Team Leader, where he was responsible for running two of the emotional growth workshops and two family resolution seminars. Michael has experience in implementing a clinically based program and has served as Team Counselor/Clinician managing a caseload of up to ten students and providing family counseling and other services. Because of Michael‘s 9 years experience in the residential boarding school realm he was responsible for training the front line staff on how to safely and appropriately work with students when they are not in class or in group counseling. Michael enthusiastically relocated to EXCEL Academy of Texas in the Fall of 2007 and is exited about being a part of a program that teaches students to make right choices, foster and maintain healthy relationships and reach their academic goals.
Lori Beeman, Academic Coordinator
After over a year of teaching at EXCEL Academy of Texas, Lori was ready for a change of pace. She saw a need in the academic department for an academic coordinator and knew that she had the necessary skills to fill in the gaps. Lori's duties include, but are not limited to, assisting with individual learning assessments, academic planning, and communicating with parents and referral sources.
Lori's energy and enthusiasm for everything she tackles is obvious; she was instrumental in moving the school library to its new home in the old boy's dorm. Lori continues to involve herself in the educational needs of the students by arranging the on campus SAT testing and preparation.
Lori loves spending time with her friends, family, and her 3 kids. She enjoys reading scripture and historical fiction in her free time. Lori relishes the opportunity to touch the lives of the students at EXCEL Academy of Texas.
Art LeTourneau, Lead Teacher
Art grew up in the Pacific Northwest and was active in scouting. He became an Eagle Scout and Vigil member of the Order of the Arrow. Art attended Boise State University and has a B/A degree in Criminal Justice. Art worked in law enforcement for 25 years, serving in police departments in Boise and Los Angeles. He was a deputy sheriff in Bakersfield, CA and Portland, OR, before becoming Chief of Police on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Art also served as a chief in Sitka, AK, Kingsport, TN and Ottumwa, IA.
,br />After leaving law enforcement, Art was a youth director in several churches before returning to college to complete a 4 year theology certificate at the University of the South. Art taught in parochial schools before leaving to teach at Andacollo College in Santiago, Chile.
As Lead Teacher, Art's role in the school is to act as a mentor to the teaching staff, as well as acting as liaison between the teachers and management. In addition, the Lead Teacher assists the Academic Director and Academic Coordinator in ensuring that the policies and procedures of the academic department are followed in furtherance of the overall mission of the school.
Art really enjoys teaching social studies at Excel Academy and working with after school clubs. As the social studies department chair, Art also teaches American Government, US History, Geography, World History, and Law. Art's dedication to the school's highly regarded debate team has brought recognition to the school as a leader in the National Forensic League.
Sherry Sorce, Executive Assistant
When visitors enter the front office at EXCEL Academy of Texas, they are greeted and made to feel welcome by Executive Assistant Sherry Sorce. Sherry's capable hands and creative touch are felt in just about every aspect of the school. From ordering office supplies, to scheduling appointments, to organizing marketing functions, Sherry does it all.
Sherry and her family moved to Texas from New Jersey, where they were successful business owners. She spent 10 years in the medical field and brings to EXCEL an extensive knowledge of customer service and office management.
Sherry has 3 grown daughters and 5 grandkids and one very spoiled dog. In her free time Sherry enjoys styling hair and keeps up her cosmetology license. She spends as much time as possible with her grandkids and loves to travel with her husband Donald.
Sherry truly understands families in crisis. Her youngest daughter struggled during her teens, and Sherry can offer hope to parents that help is available.
Leslie Dupuy, Admissions Counselor
Leslie Dupuy is part of the admissions team at EXCEL Academy of Texas, and also manages the Parent Check-in extranet site. Leslie came to EXCEL in 2004, originally spending part of the week doing direct care and part in the front office. She soon found her niche working alongside Barbara in the admissions department, helping families cope with the stress surrounding putting a child in placement.
Leslie has a B.A. in communications with a minor in psychology from SWTSU. She is a certified facilitator in several parenting and drug intervention/prevention curricula. Leslie is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor Intern, and hopes to complete her supervised work hours in early 2008.
Leslie and her husband are the proud parents of 2 boys; one is a US Marine, the other is a 7th grade karate kid. All three guys are very supportive of Leslie's goal to complete an Ironman triathlon in 2008.
View the rest of our private boarding school faculty and staff >> (If you need to email someone at EXCEL Academy, you can find their individual email address on this page).