our amazing high school team

Hello! I’m Heather Badger-Brown, the Director of The Academy HS. Based in beautiful Upstate New York, I enjoy spending my free time cooking, geocaching, and taking photos.. Education has been my lifelong passion, and I have dedicated nearly 30 years to the field.

I hold a Master’s degree in Literacy from the State University of New York College at Cortland and a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education from the State University of New York College at Buffalo. Additionally, I maintain New York State teaching certifications in Reading, Special Education, and Elementary Education, and I am a certified Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner. 

I am deeply committed to the belief that every child deserves to learn in an engaging, encouraging environment—a mission I am proud to advance through my work with The Academy Way. 

 Hey, my name is Claire and I’m grateful to join The Academy HS team as a teacher.

I’m from New York and absolutely love to travel, cook, learn about history, and spend time on walks with my dog Peanut!

As a sibling to a brother severely affected by autism, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it can be when teaching is tailored to a student’s strengths. This has fueled my commitment to helping students thrive through personalized, student-centered teaching.

I believe learning should feel meaningful, stimulating, and most importantly, lots of fun.I’m truly excited to be part of this community, looking forward to growing and learning together!

My name is Craig Mann, and I am currently teaching entrepreneurship and math. I live in Massachusetts and recently moved from the city to the countryside—a change that has been both grounding and deeply meaningful for me. Returning to The Academy during this time of transition has made the start of 2026 feel especially positive and purposeful. 

I have 23 years of teaching experience in therapeutic settings, working with students who have a wide range of needs and life experiences. Those years have shaped how I teach and how I show up for my students every day—with patience, flexibility, and a deep understanding that learning looks different for everyone. While I’ve gathered many strategies along the way, I still view myself as a learner first; continuing to grow, reflect, and adapt is one of the greatest rewards of being a teacher. 

I am truly grateful to be part of a team at The Academy that cares so deeply about meeting students where they are and supporting them throughout their educational journeys. Being surrounded by colleagues who work so thoughtfully and intentionally makes this work even more meaningful, and I’m thankful to be working alongside them.