Caroline Williams
Teacher
Suzanne Gude
Founder
Suzanne Gude has a BBA in Management from Texas A&M University. Her passion for children with special needs began in middle school when Suzanne volunteered at a summer camp called Special Days in Fort Worth. She volunteered her time in High School at the Fort Worth State School singing, reading, and visiting with the children that rarely had visitors. Suzanne even became an advocate for a young boy at the state school. While home from college in the summers, she took him on outings such as Ranger games, swimming, threw him a birthday party, and helped him gain confidence and self esteem.
While a student at Texas A&M, Suzanne was a coach for Special Olympics. Upon graduation, Suzanne began her business career working in the healthcare industry for 30 years.
As a mom raising a child with complex trauma, Suzanne witnessed first hand the struggles children endure in traditional school settings. She advocated for her child, teaching that connecting with children and giving them a voice brings out their strengths.
Suzanne wants to create an environment for children to thrive. The goal is for these children to grow into healthy contributing members to society. We will know we did our job, when some say “Because of Brave Creek Academy, I didn’t give up.”
Rosalind Funderburgh M.Ed.
Board Member
Rosalind is an educator, consultant and leader in the field of special needs children, adolsecents and young adults. With over 40 years professional experience in a wide variety of clinical and academic settings, she has earned her reputation as an innovator and advocate for special needs students in North Texas.
Rosalind holds a Bachelor’s degree in education and Masters degrees in education, special education administration and curriculum development. A certified teacher, Rosalind is also a licensed educational diagnostician. She developed thetherapeutic programs for a private psychiatric hospital in Dallas and was the founder of the first free standing Day Treatment Program for children and adolescents in Dallas. In 1993, Rosalind founded Vanguard Preparatory School, a therapeutic private school for students with social and emotional challenges. Under her leadership, Vanguard has been recognized as one of the leading private programs for K12 special education.