Author Topic: GREENBRIER ACADEMY / L. Jay Mitchell  (Read 9063 times)

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Offline Ursus

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GREENBRIER ACADEMY / L. Jay Mitchell
« on: June 07, 2009, 12:49:49 PM »
L. Jay Mitchell is one of the co-founders of SUWS, and was also the founder and former owner of Alldredge Academy, where 14-year-old Ryan Lewis hanged himself in 2001. In the aftermath of that incident, that program underwent a number of name changes in an attempt to stave off dwindling enrollment, and eventually got merged into Solacium Holdings in 2006. Mitchell also brought newly founded Greenbrier Academy to Solacium during that same time period.

After a few years, Solacium found itself too bloated with programs (they had 7 or 8 of them at one point), and began downsizing, restructuring, and eventually renamed themselves as InnerChange. A few of the founders left, including L. Jay Mitchell, who took Greenbrier (but not Alldredge) with him. Alldredge Wilderness Journey subsequently went completely out of business in late December of 2008. I think it's safe to say that Greenbrier is now Mitchell's favorite baby.

In the beginning, whilst Alldredge was still in business and held the majority of Mitchell's focus, Matthew Hart was Head of Greenbrier Academy. Now... with Alldredge no longer able to distract him, Mitchell is getting more involved. Here we learn of Matthew Hart's recent exodus from Greenbrier, with Mitchell stepping in to fill his shoes:

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Breaking News · Posted: May 28, 2009
Greenbrier Academy
Pence Springs, WV

Matthew Hart Resigns as Headmaster and CEO of Greenbrier Academy

Contact:
Beth Ragland
203-445-7790
bethr@greenbrieracademy.com

May 26, 2009

Greenbrier Academy for Girls announced today the resignation of Matthew Hart, Headmaster and CEO. L. Jay Mitchell, Founder and President said, "We are all sad to see Matt move on from the Greenbrier family but completely support his desire and need to be closer to his children in Massachusetts. Under his leadership, we have grown and prospered and will remain grateful to Matt for his contribution and support of our school, students, families and staff."

"Since Matt joined us we have gone from a handful of students to over 30 young ladies. We've expanded our services to include Equine Assisted Learning, the School of Horsemanship, built a muse on our campus to support our Falconry program and a structure for the therapeutic drumming program, in addition to furthering our Arts programs."

Mr. Mitchell will step into the position of Head of School and plans are underway to further complement our service line with a larger computer lab, a certified special education teacher, a Fine Arts teacher and an Executive Director. These additions will assist us further in offering our students and families the finest academic, therapeutic and experiential boarding school in the United States.

Mr. Hart plans to continue his involvement and dedication to Greenbrier Academy by offering support from the northeast.

We hope our families and colleagues will join us in support of Matt, his move, and in his continued success and relationship with Greenbrier Academy.


Copyright © 2009, Woodbury Reports, Inc.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »
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Offline blownawaytheidahoway

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Re: GREENBRIER ACADEMY / L. Jay Mitchell
« Reply #1 on: June 08, 2009, 10:46:16 AM »
great. the info never stops...how much money do these people need? or do they believe manipulating parental fears, stripping children from their families and that hiking kids until they're pliable for program coercion, or driving them to suicide is ideologically correct?

when does it fucking stop!?
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »
Life is a very wonderful thing.\' said Dr. Branom... \'The processes of life, the make- up of the human organism, who can fully understand these miracles?... What is happening to you now is what should happen to any normal healthy human organism...You are being made sane, you are being made healthy.
     \'That I will not have, \' I said, \'nor can understand at all. What you\'ve been doing is to make me feel very very ill.\'
                         -Anthony Burgess
                      A Clockwork Orange

Offline blownawaytheidahoway

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Re: GREENBRIER ACADEMY / L. Jay Mitchell
« Reply #2 on: June 08, 2009, 10:58:48 AM »
the sad part:

I LIKE L.Jay. maybe it was just the bananas he brought to eat. I'll never know. Though I did write him once about four years ago. I called and left a message with my name, also. Never heard back. Those early years at SUWS he hired some goods and some bads...

Why can't these people see, plainly, when you have an impact on a child that is  already in a tough spot, it's a lasting impact...All you adults who work with kids (especially "troubled" (you fucking assholes) ones) must be ultra aware of this. Even the goodies can't be around all the time.

I was very deeply effected by my time in SUWS in 1988.
I hike lots now. I can camp without shelter for months at a time, and often go weeks.  I have a lot of outdoor knowledge now. I was punished and publicly humiliated for not having knowledge and many other things out there, back then. I haven't forgotten how I was made to "pay the consequences". Punishment for ignorance I'm in favor of NOW...Come on over! former staff and former "parents".















(Memories and emotionality becoming unstable as I actuate and relate to the present. I should go before I say something more true than expressing it- and how it really really felt to be abandoned and what's another word for HURT out in the middle of a desert in a state I'd hardly heard of!) woe. woe. woe is me.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »
Life is a very wonderful thing.\' said Dr. Branom... \'The processes of life, the make- up of the human organism, who can fully understand these miracles?... What is happening to you now is what should happen to any normal healthy human organism...You are being made sane, you are being made healthy.
     \'That I will not have, \' I said, \'nor can understand at all. What you\'ve been doing is to make me feel very very ill.\'
                         -Anthony Burgess
                      A Clockwork Orange

Offline Ursus

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Re: GREENBRIER ACADEMY / L. Jay Mitchell
« Reply #3 on: June 08, 2009, 12:58:00 PM »
Quote from: "blownawaytheidahoway"
the sad part:

I LIKE L.Jay. maybe it was just the bananas he brought to eat. I'll never know. Though I did write him once about four years ago. I called and left a message with my name, also. Never heard back. Those early years at SUWS he hired some goods and some bads...

Why can't these people see, plainly, when you have an impact on a child that is  already in a tough spot, it's a lasting impact...All you adults who work with kids (especially "troubled" (you fucking assholes) ones) must be ultra aware of this. Even the goodies can't be around all the time.

I was very deeply effected by my time in SUWS in 1988.
I hike lots now. I can camp without shelter for months at a time, and often go weeks. I have a lot of outdoor knowledge now. I was punished and publicly humiliated for not having knowledge and many other things out there, back then. I haven't forgotten how I was made to "pay the consequences". Punishment for ignorance I'm in favor of NOW...Come on over! former staff and former "parents".

It gets quite confusing sometimes, when circumstances that some found helpful and enlightening, are also the very same circumstances that others found hurtful and traumatizing (e.g., wilderness treks). Even amongst the very group that consider TTI programs to be inherently destructive by definition.

I think it is helpful to keep one's focus on the core damage, namely the mind-fuckery. When thought reform and coercion is practiced for any reason, but especially with the goal of behavior modification in mind, there are psychological consequences. Maybe more for some, maybe less for others, but always some kind of fallout, to my mind at least...
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »
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Offline Ursus

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Five-star schooling at a former Summers County inn
« Reply #4 on: December 04, 2009, 08:10:08 PM »
Here is a bit of local reportage from shortly after Greenbrier Academy opened. Judging by the effusive tenor of the article, I would wager that the community there has zero experience with these kinds of programs. Either that, or the following observation would appear to be the most relevant one ... to those locally concerned:

    "Staff members consider the academy an economic boost to the rural county. Its 35 employees include administrators, teachers, counselors, a headmaster and maintenance workers."[/list]

    The Solacium-commissioned rebuttal of the Government Accountability Office report mentioned in the latter half of the article is posted HERE. For those who may have forgotten, it attempted to rewrite history with regard to the Ryan Lewis case and to exonerate L. Jay Mitchell. There are also a few posts specific to Greenbrier shortly after that link. Apparently, someone associated with the program really likes to mess with the Fornits Wiki.

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    February 17, 2008
    The Charleston Gazette
    Five-star schooling at a former Summers County inn
    Historic Pence Springs Hotel now takes in students, not guests

    By Davin White
    Staff writer


    PENCE SPRINGS - Troubled girls from around the nation are making their way to the Summers County hills for a stay at a picturesque hotel built early in the 20th century. Their new mentors want to build their mind and spirit, and focus on the need for healthy relationships.

    The Greenbrier Academy for Girls opened in September at the renovated Pence Springs Hotel. Eight teenage girls from places such as Washington, D.C., North Carolina, Chicago and Massachusetts receive counseling and undergo a rigorous college preparatory program, school officials say.

    Staff members consider the academy an economic boost to the rural county. Its 35 employees include administrators, teachers, counselors, a headmaster and maintenance workers.

    "My reflection is we couldn't ask for a better community to work with," said founder L. Jay Mitchell.

    Vivian Conly, the director of admissions, said the academy blends counseling, education and the outdoors.

    The hotel is a 38,000-square-foot brick structure. Its latest renovation began in 2005.

    On a recent chilly afternoon, counselors and teachers held a session in a first-floor lounge, dressed up with new chairs, sofas and a grand fireplace.

    Nearby office spaces have been renovated. A staffer's iMac monitor seemed to dwarf her desk. In the dining hall, the girls ate turkey salad with cranberries and raisins on whole wheat bread, Sun Chips and fresh peaches. Broccoli was on the table, too. Chef Jamie Wurm said the girls took to the veggie once they realized it was good for their complexion.

    Later, the girls stretched and went for a jog around campus.

    A healthy diet and daily exercise supplement counseling sessions and classes, Conly said.

    Conly showed off a movie room downstairs where the girls watch films such as "Whale Rider," about a girl who struggles with her absent father and detached grandfather.

    "They get to talk about [the movies] in ways that affect their own lives," Conly said.

    Some of the girls, who she says will help pioneer the academy's mission, come from broken homes or are adopted. They've struggled with drugs, alcohol, sex and more.

    The education building was once a casino and speakeasy in the hotel's heyday. Today, it features nine classrooms where teachers offer art, English, math, science, French and other classes.

    Themes of experiential education weave into the curriculum. Academy leaders say with experiential learning, students pose questions, investigate, solve problems, take responsibility and construct meaning. They say the model helps students explore and examine their own values.

    In a science classroom, an instructor posed questions such as: "How do I use conflict resolution?" In another room, a student wrote words on a poster to describe herself, such as, "redhead," "passionate," "movie buff" and "hardheaded."

    Conly said this fall, the girls asked themselves the question, "Who am I?" They've followed that up by examining how others view the world.

    "I think of it like this, but what does another person think?" Conly explained.    

    English and ethics teacher Tim Armentrout talks to students about beat writers. In ethics, he explores themes such as judgment, heroics and the Great Depression.

    In an effort to take the material beyond a concept, he'll ask if judges should pass judgment where others should not. He tells his students that during the Depression, common people came together for one cause.

    "I sort of have my own personal mission of having them look at things in a global way," added social studies and art teacher Karen Hurt.

    For instance, they examine how different cultures and countries throughout history viewed slavery. The small class size allows for a deeper analysis.

    "It's so personal that people get involved in the subjects," she said.

    The academy is costly - $6,100 a month. Some families are offered scholarships that range from 25 percent to 50 percent of the cost. For now there are no students from West Virginia, Conly said.

    In the next three years, she expects the academy to house up to 95 girls. The growth plan calls for three new girls a month, so today's students don't lose their identity or feel lost in the shuffle, Conly said.

    A minimum length of stay is one year, Mitchell said. Girls in grades 9-12 can attend the academy, which the state Department of Education recognizes as a private boarding school.

    On a provisional basis, the academy also is accredited by the National Association of Independent Schools. They are members of the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs, Conly said.

    Counselors keep in contact with parents

    Conly said families become an important part of the process. Adopted girls or those with divorced parents often have attachment issues, she said.

    Girls and their counselors talk to parents at least once a week.

    "Usually, the families are able to make great, positive strides [or] at least be functional," Conly said.

    Ron Schwenkler, a certified counselor, said a therapy model that focuses on relationships brought him to the Greenbrier Academy.

    "Virtue is what makes a difference in relationships," he said. Teachers and other staff at Greenbrier also practice what they preach, and treat each other well, he said.

    Schwenkler, Armentrout and Hurt hold master's degrees, as do most Greenbrier teachers.

    The academy includes 140 rolling acres, with land for mountain biking and trails. Earth has been moved for a soccer field. Conly shows where a permanent wooden teepee will be erected.

    The academy also has ties to wilderness treatment programs. Girls are encouraged to attend such a program before they enroll at the academy.                        

    "I think wilderness serves the purpose of pulling people out of their routines," said Armentrout, a former wilderness guide.                

    Wilderness treatment often involves three weeks to 60 days of camping and survival, Conly said. Teens are removed from a familiar environment, learn independence and how to survive in the outdoors, she said.

    'We don't think we did anything wrong'

    Mitchell once operated the Alldredge Academy in Tucker County, where 14-year-old Massachusetts teenager Ryan Lewis committed suicide by hanging himself with a tent cord in February 2001.

    Mitchell is no longer involved with Alldredge, which was eventually sold to Solacium, a Texas-based company. After the boy's death, Mitchell faced a charge of child neglect resulting in death that was later dropped.

    In 2006, Mitchell and other defendants settled a civil lawsuit for $1.2 million with Lewis' parents, according to The Associated Press. The suit had been filed in 2002 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

    If parents ask Mitchell about the Lewis case, he will refer them to the rebuttal of a Government Accountability Office report released in October.

    The report says Lewis attempted suicide twice before he went to Alldredge and pleaded with a counselor to take a pocketknife away after he cut himself, although the counselor gave it back. The program did not have procedures to address suicidal behavior, the GAO report states.

    The rebuttal, commissioned by Solacium and released in November, disputes much of the GAO report and calls it incomplete, biased and of a shoddy nature.

    Also, a psychiatric report provided by Lewis' parents did not mention that the boy was a suicide risk, according to the rebuttal.

    Mitchell said Lewis' death may have been accidental. The rebuttal points out the same.

    "It's horrible that a boy lost his life," Mitchell said. He said the teen's parents experienced a traumatic loss.

    Mitchell, however, said some West Virginia media outlets did not attempt to contact him and printed incorrect information after Lewis died.

    "We don't think we did anything wrong and have not admitted any wrongdoing," Mitchell said.                        

    Later in 2001, some parents defended Alldredge in an online industry newsletter and said their children benefited greatly from the program.

    Jim Lees, a Charleston attorney who represented the Lewises, said he does not judge the Greenbrier Academy.

    "In the Alldredge Academy, before, I certainly was not impressed with Mr. Mitchell's track record," he said.

    He said the state's lack of oversight of wilderness programs came to the forefront after Lewis died. "West Virginia is ripe for those kinds of schools. It's a wilderness area," Lees said.

    John Law, a spokesman for the state Department of Health and Human Resources, said the agency expanded rules for wilderness programs after Lewis' death. In 2001, for instance, an emergency rule required sites like Alldredge to inform state officials if they offered mental-health treatment for youths.

    Conly said the Greenbrier Academy has met the agency's expectations.

    "What we do at Greenbrier is so different than wilderness," Mitchell said. "So I hope we don't confuse or bewilder anyone."

    Mitchell said Greenbrier officials also work with a Lewisburg psychiatrist. He provides medication for those girls who need it.

    Conly said the academy is good for the eight girls. She's seen a huge difference in their attitude and behavior since they first arrived.

    "These girls are bright and they very much want to make something of their lives," she said. Conly has also heard students say, "We know now this is the best place we could possibly be."  

    To contact staff writer Davin White, use e-mail or call 348-1254.


    ©Copyright 1996-2008  The Charleston Gazette
    « Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »
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    Offline Ursus

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    Greenbrier Academy for Girls under way
    « Reply #5 on: March 21, 2010, 11:09:22 AM »
    Another oldie from around the same time period, published in a local weekly:

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    Mountain Messenger
    Greenbrier Academy for Girls under way
    By David Cottrill
    February 9, 2008


    Caption for accompanying photo:
    The old, familiar Pence Springs resort is now an academy for unsettled young women. The smaller building to the left houses classrooms, library, studio, and labs.


    The century-old Pence Springs resort, where our progenitors repaired to "take the waters," is now a therapeutic, college-preparatory boarding school for girls.

    After two years of extensive renovations and a $2 million investment, the academy is up and running with its first eight students, grades 9-12. "We hope to grow by 3-4 students a month," explained Vivian Conly, director of admissions. She said the school has a "rolling admissions" policy whereby a student can be enrolled at any time. The facility's capacity is 95.

    The institution's founder, L.J. Mitchell, has a long history of helping troubled youngsters. He established the first Wilderness Program for kids. The academy's students "have gone through some sort of trauma," Conly elaborated. "They've exhibited behavior that got their parents pretty nervous ... and they need some stability."

    "It's not a lock-down facility," she stressed. Students have free reign on campus, and leave the school often on supervised field trips.

    According to the institute's brochure, "Students are expected to take ownership of their learning ... an intellectually rigorous college-preparatory curriculum ... (which involves) posing questions, investigating, experimenting, being curious, solving problems, assuming responsibility, and being creative."

    A student's regimen includes weekly, one-on-one sessions with a licensed therapist. Each gilr must also spend a month in service to "a place of great need ... (such as) an orphanage in Central America or a hurricane ravaged community." The girls have already helped out -- prepared meals and cleaned -- at the Hospitality House in Alderson, which hosts families who are visiting inmates at the Federal Prison Camp.

    Creative, relationship-building activities are extensive: sports, rock climbing, falconry, kayaking, gardening, hiking, concerts, spelunking, photography, cooking, music, crafts, horseback riding, and much more.

    "The kids are doing great," enthused Conly, "and we get a lot of support from the community, such as people's offering their facilities to the girls for a variety of activities."

    The administration accords a strong, non-denominational spiritual component, Conly pointed out. She said students are routinely encouraged to ponder and speculate on broad philosophical questions.

    Given the nature of the school's mission, the founder decided a non-co-educational environment would be more effective, she noted. "We have activities for the kids where there are boys around, such as an upcoming hip hop dance. We do get a lot of calls from people who wish we took boys," she added.

    The remote, bucolic 140-acre campus nestled among the hills overlooking the Greenbrier River affords young women from many sections of the country an atmosphere for personal growth and preparation for a positive future.


    # # #
    « Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »
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    Offline Che Gookin

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    Re: Five-star schooling at a former Summers County inn
    « Reply #6 on: March 21, 2010, 12:26:17 PM »
    Quote from: "Ursus"

    In a science classroom, an instructor posed questions such as: "How do I use conflict resolution?" In another room, a student wrote words on a poster to describe herself, such as, "redhead," "passionate," "movie buff" and "hardheaded."

    Conly said this fall, the girls asked themselves the question, "Who am I?" They've followed that up by examining how others view the world.

    "I think of it like this, but what does another person think?" Conly explained.    


    What CEDU rap did they crib this one out of?
    « Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »

    Offline Ursus

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    Re: Five-star schooling at a former Summers County inn
    « Reply #7 on: March 21, 2010, 01:06:40 PM »
    Quote from: "Che Gookin"
    Quote from: "Davin White, reporter for the Charleston Gazette,"
    Themes of experiential education weave into the curriculum. Academy leaders say with experiential learning, students pose questions, investigate, solve problems, take responsibility and construct meaning. They say the model helps students explore and examine their own values.

    In a science classroom, an instructor posed questions such as: "How do I use conflict resolution?" In another room, a student wrote words on a poster to describe herself, such as, "redhead," "passionate," "movie buff" and "hardheaded."

    Conly said this fall, the girls asked themselves the question, "Who am I?" They've followed that up by examining how others view the world.

    "I think of it like this, but what does another person think?" Conly explained.
    What CEDU rap did they crib this one out of?
    Oh, I'm sure at least some of that is more or less industry-wide. Part of that human potential awareness that our culture was subjected to in the 1960s and 70s.

    Remember the "Who Am I Discovery" residential treatment centers that Mark and Cheryl Sudweeks used to run?* Heck, maybe they still run something like that, now that Whitmore Academy seems to be closed...

    Note also this from Hyde School:

    viewtopic.php?f=43&t=27197
    Quote
    Hyde has a simple membership requirement. Students, teachers, and parents are expected to honestly and openly address three questions:

      Who am I?
      Where am I going?
      How do I get there?
      [/list]
      Hyde School calls its seminars/raps "Discovery groups." Then, of course, there are the Discovery seminars in WWASP programs... yada yada yada.

       :clown:

      * Locations noted in THIS article.
      « Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »
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      Offline Ursus

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      Mitchell, Hurt, Schwenkler, Hart, Ragland, Findlay, Grago
      « Reply #8 on: March 26, 2010, 11:42:37 AM »
      Staff Biographies

      L. Jay Mitchell – Head of School/Founder



      L Jay has been actively involved in the profession of adolescent mental health for over 25 years. As a USAF Judge Advocate and as a partner in a civil law practice he focused on cases involving psychological assessment, capacity and emotional injury. His experience with forensic behavioral scientists led to an exploration of the behavioral, cognitive and emotional change process. This led to founding and directing the SUWS Adolescent Program in 1982, a one month outdoor intervention removing intransigent emotional impasses. SUWS is the longest continuous operating program of its kind in the United States.

      To date there have been over 10,000 graduates of these programs. He has worked for years with Dr. Brent Slife in the development and application of a therapeutic model called "relationality" or more specifically "hard relationality". This model is being incorporated at Greenbrier Academy. He has written, published, and presented papers in the field while also training practitioners.

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      Karen Hurt – Academic Director



      Before joining Greenbrier Academy, Karen experienced working with teens in theatre and at a co-ed college preparatory day and girl's boarding school where she taught middle and high school Social Studies and Photography.

      In the fine arts, Karen worked within the visual and performing arts community for over 30 years. She studied and taught art and photography in Virginia, and developed and directed a youth theater education program there for a nationally recognized organization known for producing high-quality plays with children and teens at risk. She worked to expand and focus the scope of these events through creating interdisciplinary study guides for teachers to use with school groups, acting classes, and drama camps targeting the needs of specific age groups.

      Her research in theater and education led her to link methods and opportunities to use the arts across the curriculum to help teachers create enriched, actively based learning environments. She developed a workshop for teachers on "Using Theater across Curriculum" and published a bibliography of useful readings and activities for teaching through the arts. She also developed and led workshops for teachers and community leaders based on Zephron Conté's work with "Peacemaking Through the Arts".

      Karen says, "I am thrilled to join the staff of Greenbrier Academy. Here we have the opportunity to (as John Rawls puts it) 'create a society in which we would want to live, if we did not know what particular hand we were dealt by fate'. Greenbrier Academy is the kind of place that encourages us to share our higher values and be our better selves."

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      Ron Schwenkler – NCC, LPC, LCPC Clinical Director



      With 15 years' experience working with youth and families, Ron engages others with depth. One dimension that makes Ron special to Greenbrier Academy is his programmatic experience. He has worked in a group-home setting for adolescents and served as a wilderness instructor, counselor and a family program facilitator for numerous years. Ron continued to advance in this field and served as the Director for two prominent program phases, both in a wilderness setting and a longer-term program.  Ron also co-developed and facilitated After Care programs, which supports families to leverage their success in integrating their hard-earned gains from a residential setting experience when they return home.

      Ron knows youth and families. Ron also knows balance as seen in the other parts of his life. He and his wife are raising two beautiful and energy-filled boys and recently welcomed a beautiful baby girl to their family. He has a black-belt in Kenpo, and is a 15-year veteran of the martial arts. Ron also loves to be in the wilderness. Anyone working with Ron has an experience coming to them. They can trust they will be pushed to live more authentically.

      Ron continues to strive in his relational development; seeking supervision with Dr. Slife regularly to understand how Relationality is applied implicitly in theories. During Ron’s academic and theoretical training he has studied Gestalt and Jungian extensively and currently is pursuing further training in Jungian Depth Psychology and Dialectic Behavioral Therapy. Ron continues to seek expertise in all neurological matters from Dr. Hipskind. Ron holds the following licenses and certificates:

      ·         National Certified Counselor

      ·         Licensed Professional Counselor ( West Virginia )

      ·         Approved Licensed Professional Supervisor ( West Virginia )

      ·         Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor ( Montana )

      ·         Distance Credentialed Counselor

      ·         Grief Recovery Specialist


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      April Hart – Equine Program Director



      April's relationship with horses began at the age of 5 years when her father, a veterinarian, arrived home one day with a pony he’d accepted in payment for veterinary work from a struggling dairy farmer. This was the beginning of a lifelong dedication to Equine partnership. Now after 25 years in the profession, training, teaching and showing, she looks forward to joining the staff and students at Greenbrier.

      Her journey into the art of horsemanship began after spending her youth jumping with the hunters. When her horse was no longer sound enough to jump, she turned to dressage. While attending the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where she received a degree in Social Advocacy with a minor in Psychology, she was fortunate enough to begin her long association with Dr. H.L.M. Van Schaik, an Olympic medalist. His teachings instilled in her a love of classical dressage and an understanding of the importance of a methodical and conscientious development of the horse. The time she spent with him as a working student made her realize that it is possible to combine the highest level of competitive success while remaining in touch with and continuing to honor the amazing kindness of the horse. The strong commitment to communication and trust in her training method offers her students an opportunity to develop serious equestrian skills based on knowledge and compassion. Her mission statement reads: Ride for the beauty of movement, the challenge of unity, the love of a horse.  

      As a young trainer, she often had to work with untrained, difficult, even abused animals. Seeking to develop her skills, she began to train with Joe Delano, a nationally ranked trainer of reining horses, who helped her to discover work in the round pen, and the amazing art of communication through body language. Inspired by the depth of physical unity possible in the practice of dressage and the emotional unity made possible by work from the ground and the round pen, her professional 'trade mark' became the synthesis of these methods to benefit her horses and her students with solid foundations whatever their sport of choice, and whatever horses they are riding, from Mustangs to Warm bloods.
               
      In keeping with these two major influences, April has continued her study of classical dressage and horsemanship by working with other professionals committed to these standards of excellence and kindness. Her mentors and teachers have included both nationally and internationally recognized equestrians. Seeking out trainers familiar with the Lippizann she closed her own school for a time, to take a position assisting William Warren and his partner Bill McMullen at Warren/McMullen Enterprises and traveled to Europe to visit the Spanish riding school in Austria, ride with Ernst Bachinger and at Lipiza. Her interest in furthering her knowledge has taken her to many workshops and clinics such as, the National Judging convention where she met Cindy Sydnor with whom she clinics, to the USDF Instructor/trainer seminars to auditing clinics with Conrad Schumacher and Claus Balkenhol as they coach some of the top riders of the eastern United States. She regards continuing education as essential to good horsemanship, and has developed a variety of workshops for her clients, including a college-accredited instructors licensing program.

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      Beth Ragland – Director of Outreach and Development



      Beth comes to Greenbrier Academy from Huntsville, Alabama, where she has lived most of her life. Beth began her college studies at Auburn University and completed her higher education at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. She has been in the marketing and management of programs for struggling teens since 1994, a majority of those years working with one of the largest providers of residential behavioral healthcare services for teens in the United States. With her, she brings experience in start-ups, working with short, intermediate and long term residential programs, therapeutic boarding schools and Day Treatment/Schools. Beth also brings the ability to manage and assist in the administration and implementation of these programs and schools.

      "In the years that I have worked with these programs/schools, it is the children and their families that make this profession so rewarding. From the first phone call from a parent or referring professional, I feel we have a tremendous responsibility to make sure that young lady and her family will benefit from their experience at Greenbrier. Helping parents work through their fears and doubts and then supporting them throughout their daughter's stay are measures I feel make this time in their lives much less stressful. Watching the students grow, excel in their academics and build self-esteem is truly a gift. The entire staff at Greenbrier Academy is very committed to our students, their families and each other, which is why I am extremely proud to join this team of knowledgeable, experienced, and caring professionals."

      Beth has worked hard in her community to provide support, serving in several different volunteer organizations that raise funds, provide administrative support and man-power. She also serves on the board for Partnership for a Drug-Free Community and is a member of the Council for Families and Youth.

      Family is very important in Beth's life. She has one daughter who just concluded her freshman year of college. Beth's hobbies include reading, travel, movies, Pilates and spending as much time as possible at the beach.

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      Sharon Findlay – Director of Admissions



      Sharon is the Director of Admissions at Greenbrier Academy. Raised across the country and abroad, she grew up in a military family. "I am so grateful for the strong bonds that traveling with my family created, and also for the cultural experiences I was exposed to." After earning her B.S. in Accounting, Sharon worked in education and management and then served for a year with Ameri*Corps. Afterwards she was able to join the Greenbrier Academy team at the beginning of the school’s establishment, and has happily watched and helped it flourish. She brings with her a variety of experiences and interests to all aspects of the job. Sharon is very active in her community and serves on many fundraising committees for local non-profits.

      Of the school she says, "I have a passion for working with this generation and making sure that young women have the tools and empowerment they need to succeed. Greenbrier Academy holds a special place in my heart because I see a piece of myself in each of our students."

      Sharon loves her family, the outdoors, art, and laughing. When she's not running or painting, she can be found reading a book with her two cats Lucy and Ethel or playing practical jokes on her new fiancé.

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      John Grago – Admissions Counselor



      John comes to Greenbrier with a wealth of experience in adolescent and family counseling. John earned his B.A. in Psychology from West Virginia University and his M.A. in Counseling from Marshall University. He has 14 years of experience in the Mental Health field and eight years serving specifically as an Adolescent and Family Therapist. John is uniquely qualified to help Greenbrier Academy achieve its mission.

      John's greatest rewards come from helping young people and their families to become whole and overcome the obstacles that prevent them from reaching their full potential. While working with adolescents in residential therapy settings, John became close to many families and keeps in touch with many of the people he has worked with over the years. "Meeting with families years after we worked together and hearing about what they have achieved and how I made a difference in their lives, gives me tremendous personal satisfaction."

      John is from Mount Storm West Virginia. He and his wife of ten years have two daughters of their own. John's wife, who also earned an M.A. in Counseling, shares his passion for helping young people and works as a middle school Guidance Counselor. Their favorite pastime is taking the girls for Jet Ski rides on Mount Storm Lake, coaching girl's basketball, and attending dance recitals.
      « Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »
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      Offline JustWrit

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      « Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »

      Offline DannyB II

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      Re: GREENBRIER ACADEMY / L. Jay Mitchell
      « Reply #10 on: June 12, 2010, 08:36:18 PM »
      Quote
      healed wrote:
      also, a little FYI, the user from Oregon who pulled her daughter out of the program was poppin XANAX at the family programs and discussing her sex life with her young daughter. I was there.

      If you're reading this, the mother of Danielle, I'm sorry that
      Greenbrier Academy didn't work out for you.
      I believe it happened too soon.

      The program is for families who are willing to look at themselves
      and make changes.

      Clearly, you both needed a lot more help than that.

      Now that is truly unfortunate.

      reply:

      Carolina Hatfield wrote:
      Clarification of your statement: During a "parent program meeting" (this is where kids and parents meet in a group, for a sort-of workshop") The students were asked to reveal in front of their parents and the entire group something they had never revealed before. This took place, and then it was the parents turn to do the same. During a break I went up to Mike Beswick, who was leading the workshop and asked him if what I had to say was appropriate to say in the group, and to my daughter. He approved, and told me that it would be fine, and helpful for Danielle to know these things about me. It turned out to be more difficult than I thought it would be to talk about in front of a room of strangers and my daughter. I cried and felt embarrassed. As for "popping Xanax", yes I am seeing a therapist for my past troubles, and I felt having an anxiety attack in front of a group of strangers was an appropriate use of the medication I had been prescribed.

      My daughter was admitted to Greenbrier based on being depressed some (no suicide attempts or talk of suicide, she cried a lot). She was also diagnosed in 5th grade with Asperger's Syndrome and ADD (learning disorders). She was never violent and was not sexually active. She was I believe maybe one of the only children there who was not on any kind of medication. So, during "med time" morning and night, she, I think, felt left out and came home wanting to be put on all kinds of medication. She also came home with a new violent and sexual vocabulary and attitude. She had not had when I enrolled her at Greenbrier Academy.

      I feel it is unfortunate that "healed" seems to want to remain anonymous while giving out my information. Who are you "healed"? Are you really a student or an employee? Either way the information you have posted doesn't seem to be very ethical in terms of considering others privacy. "Poppin XANAX" is a term my daughter learned at Greenbrier. I believe prescription medication has its place in the world of therapy and if you are a student (or employee) there, I think you probably know that. Nonetheless, I stand by my thoughts on Greenbrier. I was not told the truth about how my daughter was doing during the program, they didn't seem to acknowledge or understand Asperger's Syndrome. The "family counseling" by phone and in group seemed unprofessional. If you, "healed", would like to reveal who you are I would be interested, even in a private email I would be interested in talking about how you felt Greenbrier was a good "therapeutic" boarding school for you. If you'd like you could email me at carolina@newdendrites.com
      Are you the same person who posted earlier about myself and my daughter at the "parent weekend" at Greenbrier Academy?
      Why are you keeping yourself anonymous?

      Danny wrote:
      This is Greenbrier parents and children arguing with each other about the merits of the program. Sounds much like we do here but one big difference they actually are living it, " real time".
      Well they are also hurling outrageous accusations at mommy. Much like we do around here also.
      Just wanted to post more of the bickering going on elsewhere in the TTI.

      Speak to us of Children
      Your children are not your children.
      They are the sons and daughters of Life's
      longing for itself.
      They come through you but not from you,
      And though they are with you yet they be-
      long not to you.
      You may give them your love but not your
      thoughts.
      For they have their own thoughts.
      You may house their bodies but not their
      souls,
      For their souls dwell in the house of tomor-
      row, which you cannot visit, not even in your
      dreams.

      The Prophet-
      KAHLIL GIBRAN
      1942
      « Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »
      Stand and fight, till there is no more.

      Joel

      • Guest
      Edited: Wednesday, October 06, 2010
      « Reply #11 on: June 13, 2010, 12:53:32 PM »
      Edited: Wednesday, October 06, 2010
      « Last Edit: October 07, 2010, 03:17:43 PM by Joel »

      Offline DannyB II

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      Re: GREENBRIER ACADEMY / L. Jay Mitchell
      « Reply #12 on: June 13, 2010, 01:28:37 PM »
      Quote
      Quote from: "Joel"
      Quote
      Danny wrote:
      This is Greenbrier parents and children arguing with each other about the merits of the program. Sounds much like we do here but one big difference they actually are living it, " real time".
      Well they are also hurling outrageous accusations at mommy. Much like we do around here also.
      Just wanted to post more of the bickering going on elsewhere in the TTI.

      Speak to us of Children
      Your children are not your children.
      They are the sons and daughters of Life's
      longing for itself.
      They come through you but not from you,
      And though they are with you yet they be-
      long not to you.
      You may give them your love but not your
      thoughts.
      For they have their own thoughts.
      You may house their bodies but not their
      souls,
      For their souls dwell in the house of tomor-
      row, which you cannot visit, not even in your
      dreams.

      The Prophet-
      KAHLIL GIBRAN
      1942
      [/i]

      I heard the bits and pieces from the above book read to my peer group during propheets at CEDU Rocky Mountain Academy. Kahlil Gibran and CEDU were a match made in heaven.   :rofl:

      Quote
      Who am I?
      Where am I going?
      How do I get there?

      Propheet lingo


      Ya know Joel I was on the fence for a while but this last outburst from you confirmed it, your a controlled practicing "devils advocate".  
      Can you internalize what you write, is it supposed to come across as scripted as it reads ???????
      Is there a switch that turns on and your "group think" comrades initiate your thoughts ????????
      Dude your brain is in the rinse cycle.  
      How and why are you dragging Gibran down to CEDU's level.

      danny
      « Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »
      Stand and fight, till there is no more.

      Joel

      • Guest
      Edited: Wednesday, October 06, 2010
      « Reply #13 on: June 13, 2010, 06:46:07 PM »
      Edited: Wednesday, October 06, 2010
      « Last Edit: October 07, 2010, 03:18:38 PM by Joel »

      Offline Ursus

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      Re: GREENBRIER ACADEMY / L. Jay Mitchell
      « Reply #14 on: June 13, 2010, 08:57:44 PM »
      Quote from: "DannyB II"
      How and why are you dragging Gibran down to CEDU's level.
      Gibran was co-opted by several programs, Danny. Hyde School also makes ample use of his quotes ad nauseum. This probably does influence why so many who have been through certain programs experience a certain visceral reaction...
      « Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »
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