Faculty & Staff

Meet the Team
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Our teachers strive to create opportunities for your child to learn where their independent and naturally inquisitive character is cultivated and nurtured. Our program is stimulating, differentiated, individualized, and challenging. We engage our students as inquirers and researchers, so that they are intrinsically connected to their learning and advancement. We feel that in this way, they will develop the lifelong learning style of persistence, determination, and reflection necessary to become globally-minded, compassionate citizens and leaders.

Administrative Staff

Judie Batt Yarnell

Co-Owner/Founder

Dr. Jordy Yarnell

Co-Owner

Nicole Rieman

Chief of Operations

 

Andrea Jonethis

Financial Accountant

Elise Callahan

Executive Administrative Assistant

Teaching Staff

Delaina Anderson

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Education: Bachelor’s in elementary education from Palm Beach Atlantic University with a minor in exceptional student education

Distinguishing Accomplishments: Ms. Anderson was on the president’s list at Palm Beach Atlantic University and was enrolled in the honor’s program. She has interned in the public and private school sectors and was an academic tutor in the public school system. She is currently working towards her master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders.

Shihan Andrews

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Education: Bachelor’s in land surveying from University of the West Indies

Distinguishing Accomplishments: Mr. Andrews is a 6th degree black belt in the Don Jitsu Ryu System and has amassed over 30 years of international teaching experience.

Barbara Brager

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Education: Bachelor’s in secondary education/social studies from West Georgia College; Master’s in teaching in advanced program/education from Monmouth University 

Distinguishing Accomplishments: Ms. Brager started her career in teaching at the Ranney School in Tinton Falls, New Jersey. She began as a lower school self-contained classroom teacher, elevated to a lead teacher in charge of a mentor program for new teachers, promoted to vice-principal of the lower school, and then advanced to the position of principal of the lower school. As an educator, she provided an educational experience that successfully prepared her students to meet their future with confidence and compassion. As a principal, she demonstrated the ability to lead her students, staff, faculty, and parents in the achievement of their mutual goals, while maintaining a harmonious and productive atmosphere for all. She served on the Children’s Advisory Board for Jersey Shore’s K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital dedicated to offering the highest level of care for children and was on the Women’s Heart Fund Board of Jersey Shore Hospital whose mission is to educate women on the importance of heart health for women. She currently works on committees raising funds for the Parker House Clinic which provides care for the uninsured in our community located in Red Bank, New Jersey. 

Jim Croke

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Education:  Bachelor’s degree in mathematics from University of Kentucky; J.D. from University of Notre Dame Law School

Distinguishing Accomplishments: Mr. Croke has been a senior law partner practicing in the field of securitization at several law firms, including Chapman & Cutler, Orrick Herrington, Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft, Hunton & Williams and most recently The Law Office of James Croke, LLC. He served as the general counsel to Quadrant Biosciences, LLC. His experience includes teaching practicing lawyers at annual seminars arranged by the Practicing Law Institute in New York City and the Universidad de Guadalajara in Mexico. 

Larry Cromwell

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Education: Bachelor’s in sociology from Florida International University

Distinguishing Accomplishments: Mr. Cromwell has taught mathematics from 6th grade to AP calculus and science from 6th grade to physics and AP chemistry. He has taught internationally in Kenya, South Korea, Belgium and in Quantico, Virginia. He worked at The Batt Learning Center between 1989 and 1993.

Dan Dohany

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Education: Bachelor’s in educational industrial technology from Western Michigan University; Master’s in guidance and counseling from Eastern Michigan University

Distinguishing Accomplishments: Mr. Dohany has a residential builder’s license and real estate license from Michigan and is an avid chess player.

Dan Doran

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Education: Bachelor’s in pharmacy from Columbia University; Master’s in science education from St. John’s University

Distinguishing Accomplishments: Mr. Doran has taught chemistry, biology, physics, pharmacology, ecology, and physiology. He was an adjunct instructor of chemistry at Boricua College and instructor of pharmacology and pharmacy practice at Keiser University. He was also chairman of the mathematics and science department at New York’s prestigious High School of Art and Design. He has been an instructor at The Batt School for over 15 years.

Kevin Fruge

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Education: Bachelor’s in general studies from University of Louisiana with a concentration in architecture

Distinguishing Accomplishments: Mr. Fruge is an accomplished musician. He proficiently plays drums and percussion, guitar, bass guitar, Ukelele, and piano. He has played and taught music professionally for more than 30 years. He currently teaches symphonic rhythmic and melodic percussion at schools in Palm Beach County, plays in his church worship band, and is the drummer in a local working rock band.

Marcus Grant

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Education: Master Degree in Fine Arts/Graphic Design; Bachelor’s in digital media from Indian River State College

Distinguishing Accomplishments: Mr. Grant has over 15 years of experience as a graphic designer, art director, brand developer, marketer, and web designer. He has created and overseen a graphic design program which helps foster children develop vocational skills. He was awarded the Silver Addy Award in commercial advertisement. Additionally, he received the Gold Addy Award for infographic and poster design. He is currently working towards his master’s degree in fine arts.

Maylie Grubba

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Education: Bachelor’s in psychology with a focus on child development from University of Florida with a minor in education

Distinguishing Accomplishments: Ms. Grubba graduated from the University of Florida with honors and opened and ran her own smoothie company while taking on all financial and managerial responsibilities of small business ownership. She transitioned to teaching at The Batt School in 2016, providing foundations in mathematics to our elementary-level students. She incorporates her broad knowledge, life experiences, and entrepreneurial spirit into her educational philosophy.

Dr. Valerie Hall

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Education: Bachelor’s in elementary education from Purdue University; Master’s in elementary education, exceptional students, and reading from Butler University; Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis on reading from Purdue University.

Distinguishing Accomplishments: Dr. Hall has taught elementary, middle school, high school, and worked with homeschooling families. She has been an ESE specialist and an academic dean. For 18 years, she was a university professor preparing teachers for the classroom. As a professor on tenure track, she presented at conferences and published in professional journals until she became a Full Professor. During this time, she used her school breaks to work in schools in Haiti, Puerto Rico, Panama, Nicaragua, Mexico, Chile, and Peru.

Teresa Korbely

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Education: Bachelor’s in computer science from Florida Atlantic University 

Distinguishing Accomplishments: 

Jaime Lattin

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Education: Bachelor’s in communication from University of Toledo; M.B.A from Florida Institute of Technology

Distinguishing Accomplishments: Ms. Lattin has over 10 years’ experience teaching and tutoring grades K-12 and is currently an adjunct professor of business at Flagler College. In addition to being president of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America’s Florida Chapter, she has worked as a business consultant and corporate trainer throughout South Florida, focusing on strategic growth, business etiquette, and consumer behavior. 

Janis McDavid

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Education: Bachelor’s in theatre arts from Howard University; Master’s in education from Pace University; Master’s in theatre arts from Rutgers University

Distinguishing Accomplishments: For twenty year, Ms. McDavid taught movement and music enrichment classes in New York City. While living in NYC, she also worked as a public school, special education teacher. She is an award-winning songwriter for children and family music and currently has two published children’s albums.

Jacqueline Phillips

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Education: Bachelor’s in English from American Public University 

Distinguishing Accomplishments: Ms. Phillips has taught high school English and life sciences in charter schools and in the private sector for over 7 years. She has educated and tutored elementary through high school-level students. She has completed a semester of master’s degree work from Bread Loaf School of English and is currently working towards a second bachelor’s degree in biology from Florida Atlantic University. She volunteers with various local environmental non-profit organizations such as ORCA’s Citizen Science program, Loggerhead Marinelife Center, and Busch Wildlife Sanctuary. 

Anna Rafferty

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Education: Bachelor’s in studio arts from Florida State University with a minor in art history

Distinguishing Accomplishments: Ms. Rafferty has worked with various galleries and museums across the country including the Institute of Contemporary Art, the Palm Beach Showroom, and the Revolver Gallery, Andy Warhol Revisited.

Andy Rafkin

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Education: Bachelor’s in English/education at State University of New York at Albany; J.D. at Albany Law School of Union University

Distinguishing Accomplishments: Mr. Rafkin taught high school English in New York before attending law school. He was admitted to both the New York State and Florida Bars and practiced as a business litigator in both the state and federal courts before resuming his teaching career.

Dorothy Steier

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Education: Bachelor’s in psychology from William Smith College; Master’s in child development from Farleigh Dickinson University with a concentration in behavioral therapy, diagnostic evaluation, and intelligence testing

Distinguishing Accomplishments: Ms. Steier earned dean’s list distinction at William Smith College and Farleigh Dickinson University and was a member of the Psi Chi National Honor Society. She was director of all continuing education programs at Kingsborough College, assistant principal of counseling and guidance at Bright Futures Academy, and director of programs at United Cerebral Palsy. She has also been a substitute teacher at Palm Beach County School

Pat TePas

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Education: Bachelor’s in elementary education from Ohio University

Distinguishing Accomplishments: Ms. TePas has over 40 years of experience as an educator working in a variety of public and private schools with diverse student populations from kindergarten to 6th grade. She has served in many roles including classroom teacher, ELL resource teacher, Success for All reading tutor, supplemental academic intervention resource teacher, response to intervention coordinator, and SSAT/SAT testing coordinator.

Dr. David Starer

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Education: Bachelor’s in electrical engineering from University of Cape Town; Master’s of engineering in microelectronics from University of Pretoria; Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Yale University

Distinguishing Accomplishments: Dr. Starer has worked with major quantitative fund managers for over 25 years.  He has published papers in learned journals and has contributed chapters to books on the topic of quantitative finance including a chapter with Nobel Laureate Harry Markowitz. He has taught engineering and mathematics for many years at universities and colleges in the Unites States and Australia.