Today we’d like to introduce you to Heaven Spencer.
Hi Heaven, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
As an adult, I worked in several fields in leadership positions. Spending time doing web design, photography, cosmetology, retail, and even helping to start a non-profit allowed me to learn to take charge and be an asset in many different situations.
Later, when my child was born with autism, I focused on ensuring my son got help and therapies that were vital to his development. I quickly realized how difficult a task that was. When my son turned three and finally received his diagnosis, and began to receive ABA services, I was invited to participate in a class to become a behavior assistant. I continued in the ABA field for the last ten years and received my degree in Educational Studies through Western Governors University.
When Covid-19 broke out and many kids were displaced from their local public schools because of mask mandates, a few friends and I saw an opportunity to come together and create a program. Open Seas Learning Academy is meant to be where kids can learn and grow based on their skills and needs.
We started as a program to provide children with autism and related disabilities a homeschool and tutoring program that could teach each child based on their skills. Since then, we have expanded into a full-day program catering to all children.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The academy was founded when Covid-19 initially started affecting schools’ abilities to serve students. Schools were closed to encourage social distancing and for many virtual learning replaced classroom instruction, causing much stress and difficulty for many students and their families. Kids with autism were at an even more significant disadvantage, often struggling to remain seated and stay focused with no one in person to reinforce and keep them motivated. We were aware that the children we worked with had needs that were not being met, so we went to work trying to find a space to house our program.
We were fortunate enough to team up with Pastor Craig Bridgers at The Crossing Church to create an alternative learning environment for the students to thrive and complete their assigned schoolwork. It was necessary to design a curriculum and testing to allow us to individualize our program for each student. Through the combined efforts of our group, including occupational and speech therapists, ABA providers, teachers, and parents, we were able to see our dreams come to fruition. In August 2020, Open Seas Learning Academy successfully began to serve the needs of the kids and their families.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Open Seas Learning Academy?
About Our Business
Our teachers and staff come from a special education background, allowing us to know how and differentiate each child’s learning experience. With small class sizes and emphasis on the individual child, our program is geared toward your child’s specific academic needs. Because of our smaller class sizes, there is often time to work one-on-one with our students while incorporating hands-on learning activities.
While adhering to Florida State standards, our curriculum allows us to adjust each student’s pace to ensure that they have mastered concepts before moving ahead. We take pride in our comprehensive yet flexible curriculum, giving students the tools to develop and improve their skills in various fields and programs. Our professionally designed sensory room was featured in Parenting Special Needs Magazine and is one of my favorite places.
We also offer summer and camp programs when school is out and parents need a safe place for their children. During these, we provide STEAM and planned water activities, trips, and community-sponsored workshops. Some of our most popular activities have included visiting Play Money Arcade in Stuart and Andretti’s Go-Kart Park in Melbourne, making volcanoes, earthquake demonstrations, Busch Wildlife Sanctuary presentation including live animals, and St. Lucie County Sheriff and Fire Department Safety Demonstration, to name a few.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
As the oldest of four in a small town in Virginia, I was a born leader and problem solver. My siblings and I were always causing trouble, and I would talk our way out of it. Having a brother with Asperger’s Syndrome gave me insight into how kids with disabilities could be overlooked in the school system and how their specific needs vary from person to person.
After moving to Florida, my middle school friends included a girl with Down Syndrome. I became appalled at the way the school treated her. They tried to bribe us to be her friend, telling us they would allow us to sit outside at lunch if she could join us, disregarding the fact that she was already our friend. I felt they were only addressing her disability, not her ability to fit in.
Pricing:
- Full-year program starts at $9000 for full-time and is covered by the FES-UA grant
- Camp starts at $250 a week for full time
Contact Info:
- Website: OpenSeasLA.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/OpenSeasLearningAcademy
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OpenSeasLearningAcademy
