About Us

Who we Are

The inspiration for starting B.R.A.T. Academy came from when our founder and CEO, Jennifer Henderson, was recently serving in the Air Force, in cybersecurity, and noticed that families were still dealing with the issues that had kept her from starting a family when she was a military spouse. She was worried of how moving base to base might affect her children academically and socially, so she waited to start a family.
When she found that military-connected children were still dealing with educational gaps, lack of support, the slow transfer of academic records, and social-emotional challenges from frequently changing schools, still well into the 21st century, she was inspired to do something about it!

B.R.A.T. Academy was established to offer students a high-quality, stable education with ample support to better prepare them for college and beyond. Our mission is to ensure that military-connected children receive a consistent education regardless of where they move.  BRAT was once used as a term of endearment for military children standing for British Regiment Attached Traveler. In context of our school, it stands for Brave, Resilient, and Talented because we believe that’s what our students embody.

What Does Our Staff Say About Us?

“As a previous military child, former educator, and current military spouse, I am excited to be able to support students and their families as they navigate their learning with B.R.A.T. Virtual Academy. I have witnessed military children struggling to adjust in their new schools, and I believe B.R.A.T. Academy is a great resource military families have needed for a while now.”

– Angelie Proulx Student Advisor

Our Vision

Our vision is to optimize the resources within our school through a blended learning approach to foster the academic and personal development of every student, so they become confident, successful, and productive citizens and leaders.

Our Mission

Our purpose is to empower all students to become caring, responsible, and resilient citizens in a safe, encouraging, and supportive environment by instructing and challenging each student to achieve their potential.

Core Values

C.A.R.E

Our core values embody a student-centered approach that emphasizes not only academic excellence, but also the holistic development of students as individuals who are motivated to contribute positively to their communities.

Caring
Community

Academic Excellence

Responsibility

Equity and
Empathy

Gifted and Special Education Learners

If your student previously received GT or special education services at their former school, we offer a straightforward process for transferring those services to our institution. Our commitment to exceptional student support and promotion of learning is unwavering, I have witnessed military children struggling to adjust in their new schools, and I believe B.R.A.T. Academy is a great resource military families have needed for a while now.”

Meet Our Team

Dawn Porta

Lead Teacher

Dawn is a highly accomplished educator with a master’s degree in education from the University of South Florida and over 20 years of teaching experience. Dawn firmly believes that every child can learn and thrive in a supportive and engaging educational environment. Her teaching philosophy revolves around creating a positive and inclusive space where each student feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential.

Development and Communications Consultant

Dawn is a highly accomplished educator As a former soldier, and civil servant abroad, Ms. Everett feels deeply about the importance of supporting military-connected children and families. As a parent of two children with various social and educational differences, she understands the importance and challenges of finding the right school for the needs of the child and the family. She has a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies, a minor in Nonprofit Management, and concentrations in Communication and Public Administration.

Lead Academic Advisor

Angelie is the lead advisor here at B.R.A.T. Academy. She is a former educator with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction. She is so excited to be a part of B.R.A.T. Virtual Academy and its mission to support military children in their learning.

Academic Advisor

Terrah is a resilient leader and tenured military spouse. Terrah holds two degrees in Criminal Justice including a Bachelor of Arts from Wright State University and a Master of Arts from Arizona State University. Terrah values teamwork, growth and trust. She also enjoys learning, coaching and helping others.

Dr. Ben Ramsey

Military Policies and Guidelines

Dr. Benjamin Ramsey is an active duty Cyberspace Operations officer in the U.S. Air Force. He earned a PhD in Computer Science from the Air Force Institute of Technology in 2014. Dr. Ramsey is married with six children who have all moved with him to eight states over the last 16 years.

Financial Advisor

Joshua commissioned into the Texas Army National Guard in 2007, after attending the Army ROTC program at TCU. After a combat deployment, Joshua entered into the private security sector for over eight years, while he went back to school graduating summa cum laude with degrees in Tax Accounting and Finance.

Community and School Development Advisor

Mrs. Dozier has dedicated her 20+ year career to education as a teacher and administrator. Mrs. Dozier earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Education from Florida International University graduating with high honors and completed a graduate level certificate program in School Administration from Nova Southeastern University with high honors. In addition, Mrs. Dozier has her NC Professional Educators License in School

Business and Strategic Advisor

Serina has over 23 years of experience in the banking industry. She has served in various roles, her current being Business Relationship Manager. Her main focus is helping business owners grow and provide peace of mind when it comes to managing their finances. She is a current member of NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners) and a recent graduate from the N. Chambers Leadership Lab class of 2023.