Bethanie Simon is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with clinical and professional experience in both academic and community settings. Bethanie earned both her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and her Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Louisiana State University. Bethanie has worked at Brighthouse Learning Academy for four years, assisting students with a range of social and emotional needs, training staff to provide appropriate support and accommodations, and assisting with administrative tasks as Mrs. Tinker’s second in command. This year, Bethanie’s role is officially changing to an administrative status so that she can better provide support as a leader for the staff and families of Brighthouse. She will continue to teach SEL bi-weekly to each grade level and will work alongside the Counselor as needed to address individual student needs. Bethanie’s goal as the Program Coordinator is to work collaboratively with staff, families, and community partners to provide the most holistic care for our students. In her time off, Bethanie enjoys quality time with her husband and dachshund Macie, reading, game nights with friends and family, and taking scenic walks when the weather is nice!

Andrée Reynaud is a counselor with over 25 years of experience working with students at the university and community college levels, both individually and in groups. She earned both her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and her Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling from Louisiana State University. Andrée has supported young adults with identifying their academic and personal strengths as they explore different majors and career paths that allow them to pursue their life passions and goals. She has also assisted students with clinical mental health issues including anxiety, depression, panic disorder, eating disorders, and self-harm, among others. While Andrée just joined the Brighthouse staff for the 2024-25 school year, she became acquainted with BLA’s mission & work in 2023 through a 2e family member who enrolled with Brighthouse. Andrée’s life motto is “Be quick to listen & slow to speak” which supports her client-centered approach to therapy. She employs strengths-based and solution-focused techniques to collaboratively facilitate each student’s academic, social, & emotional development as they navigate through the many adjustment-related challenges they face on their educational journey. Andrée strives to enable each student to more fully know and appreciate their unique talents and gifts, and to learn to confidently use them to their fullest ability. Andrée has served on the board of a local Montessori school in Baton Rouge and was previously awarded “Counselor of the Year” by the Louisiana Counseling Association (LCA). She loves music, fitness walking, mountain vacations, and trying all types of cuisines. Her faith is her most prized possession.

Jess Blanchard graduated from Louisiana State University with a bachelor degree in Fine Art and a concentration in painting and drawing. She has 3+ years’ experience exploring art with children and teens of all ages. Before Jess started working with Brighthouse at the start of the 2022 – 2023 school year, she worked as an art education coordinator for a children’s museum and then as an art teacher at an elementary school. Everywhere she goes she strives to bring an environment where creativity, problem solving, and communication thrive. Jess stays inspired by her students’ courage to create, and she continues to create art herself. She paints, draws, makes collages, and loves to jump into new things like sewing. It is her goal to spread the love of art and to help build confidence in young artists while they explore the many ways of expressing themselves.

Jonnie Tinker is a beloved member of the Brighthouse team with four years’ experience working as a teacher for multiple subjects. He has a knack for learning his students’ stories and personalities, making them comfortable and at ease, facilitating a positive learning environment, and building rapport through humor and creative activities. Jonnie has a vast array of interests that include health and fitness, geography, chess, computers and technology, and much more. He has a passion for teaching students about health and wellness, proper form for lifting weights, and helping students to build confidence. Jonnie loves working with kids while having a positive, patient, and reinforcing attitude. He is dedicated to set our students up for a lifetime of success and happiness!

Laura Beasley is a well-seasoned piano and vocal teacher who has been teaching in the Greater New Orleans area for the past 29 years. Laura holds a B.S. Degree in Mass Communications with a Public Relations Emphasis from Lamar University, achieving most of her undergraduate studies at Louisiana State University. Laura’s music education came by way of private piano lessons starting at age 5, adding vocals at age 13 and continuing through her young adult years. With the support and help of her family, Laura started a private teaching studio, and nearly 30 years later, she is still well known and loved in the community by her students and their families. Laura brings her knowledge and love of working with 2e students to Brighthouse that has come through her years of teaching private lessons and developing personalized music curriculum according to the students’ needs and individual learning style. Her creativity and joy in building student and parent relationships which help her customize the learning experience has proven to be successful with her students. She looks forward to teaching, learning and growing with Brighthouse staff and students. Besides teaching music, Laura enjoys spending time on the beach, spending time with friends, traveling, all kinds of live musical performances, flowers, home decorating, health/fitness/nutrition, open air markets, and watching LSU and Saints football games.

Lee Kreil attended Louisiana Tech University on a 4-year music scholarship and earned a B.S. in Economics in May of 1992. He held leadership positions while a member of two professional fraternities, Delta Sigma Pi (business) and Phi Mu Alpha (music), and holds a lifetime member status in both. He has worked with, taught, and tutored students' from elementary to Masters candidates for over ten years. Lee joined Brighthouse Learning Academy in the Spring of 2023 with over five years of experience working with 2e students while operating and teaching at his wife's academic support center. He is an active member of his community. He serves as a coach for Northshore Robotics and has served and has been recognized as a Member of the Month with the former East St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce. Lee is also a Founding Volunteer/Member of the Abita Fall Fest. He is a professional writer and enjoys sitting behind a typewriter, hanging out with friends, and spending time with his wife and his many miniature long-haired dachshunds.

Mary Lovill, a dedicated educator with a background in English and Speech Education, joins the BLA community with enthusiasm and expertise. She graduated from the University of New Orleans in 1995 and has continued her education in teaching students with diverse needs. Mary's goal is to create a supportive and inclusive environment where students can thrive and grow. With a passion for empowering students, she strives to foster a love of learning and help students reach their full potential. In her spare time, Mary enjoys crafting and cardmaking, which brings her joy and creativity. She is excited to be part of the BLA team and contribute to the students' academic and personal success.

Dr. Hatchett, Ph.D., LPC-S is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor, and graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Psychology, her master of education, and her doctorate degree from the University of New Orleans. Micah is a counselor with a solo private online practice in Mandeville, and has over 20 years of experience as a counselor in a range of settings. Micah has experience teaching undergraduate-level psychology while working on her doctorate. Micah approaches teaching young people from an engaging, relaxed, and humorous place to ensure safety, comfort, and to help the students feel empowered and interested in learning. Micah enjoys playing in her garden, being her cats’ favorite person to bother, feeding the birds and the bees who’ve nested in her yard, and spending time with her husband and two sons.

Peter Tinker has been working with Brighthouse since 2023 for various IT tasks, most notably having created the current website for the school. He is now working regularly as the IT Manager and handles all computer or technology related needs for the school, as well as aiding in the online presentation of Brighthouse. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from Louisiana State University and owns a web design and development company, and has been an avid technology enthusiast his entire life. He strives to create simple, user-friendly systems that allow students and staff to learn and educate in the most efficient and painless way possible. He has a unique perspective as someone with a strong design background with his education in Architecture alongside a logical nature that gravitated him towards technology.

Rebekah graduated from Northshore Technical Community College with a Technical Degree in Drafting & Design. Since then she has held jobs in many different fields, but her best role has been raising her own child with learning disabilities. This has given her the experience and patience to work with BLA’s twice exceptional students. In her spare time Rebekah enjoys gardening, swimming, biking and fishing. Rebekah’s calm demeanor, perseverance, and problem-solving skills make her a great fit for teaching math in a simplified and creative manner so that it clicks.

Sarah McNeil came to Brighthouse at the end of the 2020-2021 school year to teach our students Physical Education (PE) and Nutrition. Sarah received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Louisiana State University and her Master of Science Degree in Exercise Physiology from the University of Akron. Sarah has worked as a Fitness Director, Fitness Studio Manager, Personal Trainer and owns her own company helping people from all ages and walks of life reach their fitness and health goals. Her approach is to make fitness and nutrition fun and to help students create sustainable, active, and healthy lifestyles. She enjoys traveling the world, paddleboarding, swimming, hiking and running for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Her hope is to inspire the kids to find their passion and use it to find ways to incorporate activity into their lifestyle.

Dr. Sim Shattuck is a retired professor from Louisiana Tech University, where he taught Shakespeare, Arthurian Literature, and tech writing, as well as a host of undergraduate writing and literature classes. He enjoys reading to students and giving them a wider cultural background to understand the currents of social and artistic life.