This is a  staff list for Midwest Academy in Keokuk, IA

(a.k.a. Premier Education Seminars, World Wide Association of Specialty Programs (and Schools), WWASP, WWASPS, Family Support Network, Resource Realizations)

(we are working to acquire the complete records for ALL years)

 

We advise current and/or former staff to report any abuses you may have witnessed while working at Midwest Academy.  For information on your rights and how to take action, visit www.heal-online.org/blowthewhistle.htm.  If you were fired or forced to resign because you opposed any illegal and/or unethical practices at Midwest Academy, you have the right to take action. 

 

If you were harmed (family or survivor) by Midwest Academy, please contact info@heal-online.org if you remember the long-term employees and from which years.  This will help!   Also, if you recognize any of these staff as having worked at another program, please send in any information about their past or present employment at other facilities and/or cults.

 

Please don’t place your loved one in Midwest Academy and rescue them if they are there now. 

 

Name

Unit/Position

Additional Information
James Posz Staff Runs the group sessions and "anger management".  Started at Midwest Academy in 2006.  Posz is not a licensed mental health counselor, psychologist, nor therapist in Iowa.  Posz is licensed solely as an independent social worker in Iowa and has been since 1998.  Source: https://eservices.iowa.gov/ibpl/index.php?pgname=pub_verify  Posz is not a licensed educator in Iowa.  Source: https://www.iowaonline.state.ia.us/boee/controller.aspx
Gary LaChapelle Staff Counseling and group leader.  Started at Midwest Academy in 2004.  LaChapelle is not a licensed mental health professional in Iowa. Source: https://eservices.iowa.gov/ibpl/index.php?pgname=pub_verify  LaChapelle is not a licensed educator in Iowa.  Source: https://www.iowaonline.state.ia.us/boee/controller.aspx
Julie Dorothy Staff--Counselor Has worked in the residential "treatment" industry for 23 years (unspecified programs).  Began at Midwest Academy in 2008/2009.  Dorothy is not a licensed mental health counselor, psychologist, nor therapist in Iowa.  There is a Juliann Finnegan Dorothy (may be a different person) that is solely licensed as a master social worker and has been since 1997.  Source: https://eservices.iowa.gov/ibpl/index.php?pgname=pub_verify  Dorothy is not a licensed educator in Iowa.  Source: https://www.iowaonline.state.ia.us/boee/controller.aspx
Tara Sparrow Admissions Sparrow is not a licensed mental health professional in Iowa.   Source: https://eservices.iowa.gov/ibpl/index.php?pgname=pub_verify  Sparrow is not a licensed educator in Iowa.  Source: https://www.iowaonline.state.ia.us/boee/controller.aspx
Jordan Roberts Boys' Shift Leader Jordan A. Roberts (may be a different person) is licensed solely as an athletic coach.  Source: https://www.iowaonline.state.ia.us/boee/controller.aspx  Roberts is not a licensed mental health professional in Iowa.  Source: https://eservices.iowa.gov/ibpl/index.php?pgname=pub_verify
S. Tyler McGhghy Family Representative Also Board Member of Keokuk Public Schools.  McGhghy is not a licensed educator in Iowa.  Source: https://www.iowaonline.state.ia.us/boee/controller.aspx  McGhghy is not a licensed mental health professional in Iowa.  Source: https://eservices.iowa.gov/ibpl/index.php?pgname=pub_verify
Katie Thompson Academy Supervisor HEAL requires the full name (including middle name) of Thompson to verify whether or not she is a licensed educator in Iowa.  Source: https://www.iowaonline.state.ia.us/boee/controller.aspx  Thompson is not a licensed mental health counselor, therapist, nor psychologist in Iowa.
Shasta Thurman Team Leader Thurman is not a licensed educator in Iowa.  Source: https://www.iowaonline.state.ia.us/boee/controller.aspx  Thurman is not a licensed mental health professional in Iowa.  Source: https://eservices.iowa.gov/ibpl/index.php?pgname=pub_verify
Jared Stewart Academy Assistant Jared P. Stewart (may be a different person) is licensed solely as an athletic coach.  Source: https://www.iowaonline.state.ia.us/boee/controller.aspx  Stewart is not a licensed mental health professional in Iowa.  Source: https://eservices.iowa.gov/ibpl/index.php?pgname=pub_verify
Jack Turner Teacher Jack W. Turner (may be a different person) has not been a licensed educator in Iowa since 2010.  He was formerly licensed to teach 7th-8th grade only and he is not licensed to teach the following subjects: Art, Music, Ind. Art, P.E., Special Education, nor Reading.  Source: https://www.iowaonline.state.ia.us/boee/controller.aspx  Since Turner is listed solely as a teacher, HEAL chose only to check his educator credentials.  Turner is not currently licensed in Iowa.
Debbie Chapman President, Midwest's Parent Support Assoc. There is a Deborah S. Chapman (may be a different person) that is a licensed educator in Iowa and she has been since 2011.  Source: https://www.iowaonline.state.ia.us/boee/controller.aspx  Chapman is not a licensed mental health professional in Iowa.  Source: https://eservices.iowa.gov/ibpl/index.php?pgname=pub_verify
Nathan Teggerdine Family Representative Teggerdine is not a licensed educator in Iowa.  Source: https://www.iowaonline.state.ia.us/boee/controller.aspx  Teggerdine is not a licensed mental health professional in Iowa.  Source: https://eservices.iowa.gov/ibpl/index.php?pgname=pub_verify
OTHER OTHER OTHER PROGRAM AFFILIATIONS:

Academy at Ivy Ridge (Academy at Ivy Ridge) in New York

Spring Creek Lodge in Montana

Camas Ranch (for 18 year olds+ young men) in Montana

Carolina Springs Academy in South Carolina

Cross Creek Programs in Utah  Also see: www.provotruthexposed.com for video testimony from a family defrauded by Cross Creek/WWASPS.

Horizon Academy in Nevada

Darrington Academy (reportedly closed) in Georgia

Eagle Point Christian Academy in Mississippi

Tranquility Bay in Jamaica (reportedly closed)

High Impact in Mexico (reportedly closed)

Casa by the Sea (reportedly closed)

*(Midwest Academy, like many other programs in this industry, keeps a "tight lid" on any specific information regarding their staff, qualifications, and practices.  Please contact us with the names of any staff of which you have firsthand knowledge or experience.  Thank you for your help.)
Midwest Academy is one of several WWASPS programs named as defendants in the current class action lawsuit.

 

 Last Updated: April 24th, 2012

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