Marlou de vera

Program Director

Marlou has been with SWS since 2003.  She holds a bachelor's degree in Communication Arts/Creative Writing from the Assumption College and a Masters' degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of the Philippines.  Marlou has been working with regular and special needs students in the pre-school all the way to the high school level as well as adults with special needs since 1987.  She has extensive experience as a director of a school for special needs students, a college professor in the education department and a job coach for adults with autism.  Marlou's training includes a year-long internship with TEACCH (Treatment and Education of Autistic & related Communication Handicapped Children/University of North Carolina) and the Linda MoodBell reading, comprehension and math program.  She sees the students in the program as her "own" children eager to develop independence and success as they navigate the real world.  Her professional experience is complemented by the fact that she has an autistic son, Vidal (19) a senior at North Henderson High School.  Marlou's younger son Gabby (16), is a junior at VCA.   Contact Marlou.

MELISSA STONE

Middle School Lead Teacher

Melissa joined the staff in the spring of 2005. She has a BS in Special Education from Carson-Newman College, Tennessee.  Missy also acquired her training and background with NILD (National Institute of Learning Disabilities) and TEACCH.  This summer, Missy went through the Linda MoodBell training - for LiPS (Lindamood Phoneme Sequencing Program) which focuses on developing reading, spelling and phonemic awareness.  Missy is working with our lower and middle school students this school year.  We are also blessed to have her husband, Josh join Veritas Christian Academy this school year as the science teacher for the upper school.  Missy's commitment and passion for children with special needs is a blessing to the program!

debbie reid

Upper School Assistant

Debbie joined the SWS staff in 2003.  She is dedicated and passionate about helping the students become integrated in the mainstream classroom.  Debbie enjoys working with the students and is an advocate for their academic and social success.  She is the After School program coordinator and oversees the students as they complete their homework/projects.  Debbie has the biggest heart and constantly seeks to help out individuals and animals that struggle.  She has five dogs, two of which were rescued.  Debbie is married to Richard.  They have three children, Nicole (21) a registered nurse

working at Pardee Hospital, Michael (20) a junior at Lee University and Nina (18) a freshman at Anderson University.  Debbie and Richard have Deidre Hollifield (15) a 10th grader at VCA who is also part of their family.

Anne deweese

Upper School Lead Teacher

Anne is new to SWS this school year 2007 - 2008.  She holds a Master's degree in Education Administration from State University of New York and a Bachelor of Science in Special Education from Marymount University - Arlington, VA.  Her professional experience includes 18 years in teaching elementary, middle and high school in both regular and special education.  Anne also served as an assistant principal for a year in the high school level.  She has a passion for teaching students with special needs and has a gift for organization.  By nature, she is driven to complete tasks even before she is asked to do so.  Anne will be working with our middle and high school students this year.  She is married to Steven and has a daughter, Kendall 7th grade here at VCA.  We are thrilled to have her on board the SWS staff.

Kay sayle

Middle School teacher

Kay started out as a substitute teacher for VCA in 2006.  Being efficient and dependable as she is, Kay was asked to help out in SWS due to an added student.  In the process, she has become a SWS part time staff member all through last year and this school year as well.  Kay has a wealth of experience as a classroom teacher (K-12), librarian and an assistant director for a learning center.  She has a wonderful way with the students, holding them to the expectations of the class.  And it doesn't surprise many of us that the students do their work diligently.  Kay is married to our VCA athletic director, Ricky.  They are blessed with three adult children Jennifer, Jason and Janna.  They also have four grandchildren, Elijah (5), Rachel (3), Nathan (1) and Isaac (3).

Kim coney

Upper School Assistant

Kim has been part of VCA staff as a dependable substitute teacher since 2005.  This school year 2007 - 2008, she will be working with our SWS middle school students.  She is gifted in the area of organization and attention to detail which greatly helps our students.  Kim is consistent and sees through each task to completion.  She is married to Mike, a fire fighter with the Skyland fire department.  They have a daughter, Megan who is a 4th grader at Estes Elementary School.  We are excited to have Kim join the staff and know that her commitment to the program is a blessing to SWS.

Kathleen smith

Upper School Assistant

Kathleen is a new addition to SWS this school year 2007 - 2008.  She hold's a Master's degree in Elementary Education from the University of Phoenix and a B.A. in English from the University of Colorado.  She has worked with special needs children with various disabilities as well as regular students in the lower grades.  Kathleen will also be coaching the middle school boys' soccer, part time.  In the spring, she will be the soccer coach for the middle school girls.  She will be working with our SWS high school students.  Kathleen and her husband George have just moved to Asheville from Colorado a few months ago.  SWS has been blessed to have an educator as well as an athlete on the team!