Complaint Review: Teachers Hands Academy Inc. - Orlando Florida

Oh then I see this so called school hasn't changed. I was at this school in 2001 and no one back then had degrees either. Thank God I got out of that school after two years. When I went into public school I was way behind all the other students my age and had to retake the tenth grade. Timber creek high school caught me up quickly and I ended up graduating with honors. In fact I just recently finished receiving two degrees at a four year college. I fear that if I would have stayed at THA I would have never survived college or the real world.

Tell me do they still have dead rats in the walls, science room with no windows, and refuse letting the students move ahead in their math books claiming that if the child behaves ONLY THEN will they  be *rewarded* to move on to the next book? Do they still give the student a questionnaire before they are *accepted* asking them if they are gay or have ever had sex and if they answer yes then they can not go to the school? There is discrimination for you. Is the playground still in the parking lot? Or across the street without a gate around it? Do they still force the students to clean all the toilets and everything else that a janitor should be doing? Are there still maggots swarming the back of the lunchroom?

That school was horrible and even without the old administration it probably still is horrible. You can't just one day say "I think I will open a school" you actually have to know something first. And turning a vacuum saleswoman into a dean with no educational background is not a smart idea when trying to open a school. Stealing money in the name of God is wrong, yet sadly this school wasnt the first to do that and will surely not be the last.

Ask to see the diploma of the NEW administration how do you have a school when nobody went to college Principal Michelle Pacheco no college diploma Pastor Jose Pacheco drop out of high school Superintendent Tawanda Mills no college diploma Administrator Suzy Post no college diploma Check out this important person of the 'new' THA administration http://www.dc.state.fl.us/ActiveOffenders/detail.asp?Bookmark=2&From=list&SessionID=485204380 Supervised Population Information Detail (This information was current as of 7/12/2009) DC Number: D28568 Name: MILLS, JOSEPH R Race: WHITE Sex: MALE Hair Color: BROWN Eye Color: BLUE Height: 5'07'' Weight: 135 lbs. Birth Date: xx Supervision Begin Date: 09/04/2007 Current Location: ORLANDO Current Status: ACTIVE Supervision Type: PAROLE STATE Scheduled Termination Date: 07/15/2009 Aliases: JOE MILLS JOSEPH R MILLS JOSEPH RYAN MILLS Current Community Supervision History: Offense Date Offense Sentence Date County Case No. Community Supervision Length 06/27/2004 BURG/N/ASSLT/OCC.STRUCT. 01/09/2006 INTERSTATE 0237023 3Y 6M 7D Ask the school who else has a record Signed a Concerned Parent

Just a nice new update on any of those who still use this to check up on this school as a ref. to possibly attend. The Above mentioned: CAROLYN RETHWISCH HAS BEEN FIRED and is no longer affiliated with THA. The ownership and Leadership of the school has been passed out of the hands of all the above accused due to all the injustice mentioned in the posts and much more.

Just a nice new update on any of those who still use this to check up on this school as a ref. to possibly attend. The Above mentioned: CAROLYN RETHWISCH HAS BEEN FIRED and is no longer affiliated with THA. The ownership and Leadership of the school has been passed out of the hands of all the above accused due to all the injustice mentioned in the posts and much more.

Just a nice new update on any of those who still use this to check up on this school as a ref. to possibly attend. The Above mentioned: CAROLYN RETHWISCH HAS BEEN FIRED and is no longer affiliated with THA. The ownership and Leadership of the school has been passed out of the hands of all the above accused due to all the injustice mentioned in the posts and much more.

Just a nice new update on any of those who still use this to check up on this school as a ref. to possibly attend. The Above mentioned: CAROLYN RETHWISCH HAS BEEN FIRED and is no longer affiliated with THA. The ownership and Leadership of the school has been passed out of the hands of all the above accused due to all the injustice mentioned in the posts and much more.

Just a nice new update on any of those who still use this to check up on this school as a ref. to possibly attend. The Above mentioned: CAROLYN RETHWISCH HAS BEEN FIRED and is no longer affiliated with THA. The ownership and Leadership of the school has been passed out of the hands of all the above accused due to all the injustice mentioned in the posts and much more.

Let me start off by saying a lot of the above is 100% true. I myself attended this school in 2005-2006 school year and let me tell you, it is not a good idea to go to this school. I got picked on worse than I could imagine over nothing, this is a school where kids that get kicked of public schools get sent to. The education here is also a big joke, for starters, they don't even give me the classes I should be giving, I was supposed to be taking Algebra I when I was going to THA as I was a freshmen at the time but they give me some bullcrap math thats nothing what I should of gotten. Carolyn being at the beach with her daughters is true, when I went there, every so often she was gone because of being at the beach. They also have horrible physical education and technology education. They do nothing in either of them. If your extremely gifted and you plan on going to a 4-year university, you can forget it about if your attending this dumb. Someone said above the classrooms they are no windows in the classrooms and there is mold in the building. That is correct and plus this school is extremely overpriced in every way, take a look at www.teachershandsacademy.com, how would you like to pay for therapy and not even get it or pay for summer school, not get the class you signed up for, or pay 4000 bucks and not get the education you should be getting? I now attend Boone High School and because of this school, my gpa is low but if you take out my year that I went to THA, then it's pretty high. Because of THA, I had to take Algebra IA during the 2006-2007 school year at Boone High School as a sophomore and had to be a remedial class. Thanks to THA, I can't take Chemistry during the 2007-2008 year which is my junior year because they didn't give me Algebra 1 like they should have, if they did then I'd be taking Algebra 2 my junior and it's required that your currently taking Algebra 2 or completed it to be in Chemistry. The Chemistry labs at Boone are good and have plently of windows, infact, the science building has more windows than any other building in the school, that shows you Boone is a great school. Everyone, instead of wasting your time at this dumb. Go to a real school and get the proper education. They have stuff for almost everyone and all the classes that would help struggling students and all the classes gifted students would need to take to get into a 4-year university. The only positive thing about going to this school is that you don't have to take the FCAT but all the stuff that has to do with THA is a lot worse than the FCAT. Instead of going to this dumb, instead of this school. Boone High School ( great school )

Much of the above sounds like a witch hunt. The opinions of a few don't necessarily reflect the successes of the thousands of children that have attended THA. The school was in financial trouble not because of abuse, but because the state of Florida decided they didn't want to pay. Well, THA filed suit for not only what the state withheld, but also for massive damages (such as liens placed - as someone mentioned above). Guess what folks? THA won. People in high places in Florida DOE lost their jobs for their insubordination. THA followed the laws as set forth by the Dept. of Revenue, Dept. of Business and Professional Regulation, and Dept. of Education. They provided the supporting documentation, and the state was forced to settle.

I have worked with Curtis (his message posted 2004) in OR. I can confirm that he is this Carolyn Rethwisch's (correct spelling)ex-husband. I can also confirm the message that was posted just after his, stating that responding to his request for information would not be used as stated in his posting, and that you may be seriously involved in something you did not intend to be. If you need proof of Curtis' existance in FL, research past employees of large mortgage servicing companies in Florida and now Beaverton Oregon. He worked in FL prior to moving to OR. I would also like to mention, for what it's worth: that the talk of Carolyn's homosexuality traveled all the way to Oregon, without her, so there may be some weight to that. And, I have NOTHING against homosexuality. What I don't care for are hypocrites. Get Real: If you're running a CHRISTIAN special education/alternative school, the staff are assumed to have virtues that go along with standard Christian beliefs. I don't know the school, or any one who does. I was actually looking up Curtis, and ended up reading this. I felt bad for the children and parents who have been treated poorly. I figured, since I have 2 cents I might as well give it, it could help someone sort out this whole thing.

I heard this guy talking about this school teachers hands academy. He said that they have this guy locked up in there and that he eats kids. Jon Balll is back.

My name is Rachelle, and I have two children ages 14 and 16. My plan was to go over and check out the school for my children, but if there is already THIS much controversy and such VASTLY opposite opinions about the school I think my children will be much better served by enrolling them into a school such as Heritage Prep where there is NO controversy at all about the reputation of the school

I taught at THA and have known Carolyn and Michelle for years, and have even taught with them at another school. Their hearts have ALWAYS been in the right place. THA has had GREAT, CERTIFIED, teachers. I was one. I still am certfied in 2 states, and am still a GREAT teacher because I love to teach and love to meet students where they are and continue to assist them in their learning. I recognize the "disgruntled" students who have replied here, have taught them, and know their "situations." Notice I use the term "disgruntled." Move on, and let Carolyn and Michelle continue the vision God has given them.

i attended t.h.a for about 2 1/2 years.And asoon as i got there i noticed this school is much diffrent from public school. every year got worse and worse.I began to hate the school more and more and wanted to get out of that life rewening place. The school kept increasing in size and kept getting more trashy. For example they could care less if you were in class the rooms were so small if someone farted they basicly had to evacuate the building. They preached to us every thursday and basicly the same people went up to be prayed for and after chapel let out you would see those same people cussing up a storm. And another thing i had a art class 6th period one year and we didnt have a teacher for half the year. I thought it was hilarious how un-organized the school was haha. And every teacher had there favorites. And another big thing was miss Rethiwich was never there at school she was always off at the beach with her daughters and a few employees i wont mention any names. And there are holes in every wall from fights,kids being stupid and punching the walls or throwing eachother threw them it was hilarious. That whole school is a big joke!! none of the teachers were certified they were probably bums Miss Rethwich picked up off the side of the road. All these kids are trying to say on the website is the truth all there trying to do is to warn the kids and there parents to act now and not rewen there kids and there own lives while they are at this joke they call teachers hands academy. And another thing ahh it keeps going yeah cayla shut up you were never at school to even talk ok!! Your life is already at its worsed from this school you need to get out of there and go to public school. And all these teachers getting on here trying to back up T.H.A stop while your ahead its only gonna get worse this school has rewend so many peoples lives. Im so lucky my mom pulled me and saved mine while she could and put me in public school... p.s GO beau,"G",tommy and all the people that are trying to tell these people what this school is doing to these kids lives and what it has done. i mean they are so cheap they made us pay 5$ when we got detenions what a joke! save ur childs life now and dont let T.H.A rewen it...

For reasons I can't explain, this thread is showing up under a board about "Discover Card", which is how I happened to read it. The truth about THA is what you read between the lines. Although I don't live in FL, haven't been to the school, and don't know any of the current or former employees, parents or students, I have read the majority of the posts. Although I acknowledge that some of those posting are still learning, I must say that a person can determine exactly the quality of education one would receive at "THA" just from the (with few exceptions) HORRENDOUSLY BAD grammar and spelling of its students, former students, former and current teachers, board members, etc. God Bless the public school system. Despite its faults, I would keep your children there. I am a product of public schools, colleges, and universities. It is clear that I benefitted far more greatly from them than ANY student, regardless of ability, would fare at THA. Enough said.

I went to Teachers Hands for about 3 years, and the time I spent there was interesting. But I learned alot there and met alot of the friends I still know today, if this school was not there when I came to Orlando, I do not know where I would be today. The reason I am changing my additude towards THA is because I now understand what a building without walls would be THA. Every building needs walls to support whats above it. But THA does not have walls it has something more.

I believe this report was carefully designed as a hit piece on two people who do not deserve such treatment. Anyone who knows Carolyn knows that she has a heart for Christ and has dedicated her life to helping children. She has a wonderful group of girls of her own and has opened her home and her heart to other kids who have found themselves in a difficult jam in life. It's true we live in a country where we have the right to express ourselves freely in speach and writing but it's really sad that some people can turn that right into an evil and malicious thing. I haven't seen or talked to Carolyn in a year or so but my heart ached for her when I saw this slanderous piece of garbage!

I dont know why everyone has something to say about all this. First of all have you ever tried to do what these people do. They Open a school for your kids so they can get help and all you do is trash them. If everyone would stop looking at all the minor faults and look at what is good we could probably forget all this crap. And for Curtis Rethwisch my father his words are as ridiculous as he is!! Has he told you that he has been up 2 the school less than 20 times ,has he told you that he isnt at all involved with me or my sisters schooling activities, has he once said anything about his past with his former companies and how he was asked to leave for money disappearing. I dont think so. I have been a student at teachers hands for six years now and just because i am carolyn rethwisch's daughter doesn't mean i don't see the bad in the school i am in the middle of everything and i hear everything i know that the people that have trashed the school are doing so because they got fired because they couldnt or didnt do their job and are angry. As for the sexuality of my mother and michelle nieves did anybody go out and see why michelle stays over at our house?? no u didnt!!! She is in the hospital as much as she says i know cuz im there with her and as for the family crisis's most of them are because of Curtis Rethwisch or because of the stress he causes!!!! that is all i have 2 say i hope everyone thinks about what they are going to say in here before they do.

I would first like to apologize for the way I so swiftly took the lead in bashing THA. This will be my final entry. After much thought and consideration, I would like to say this: Teachers Hands Academy may not be the perfect school, but I had some of the best times of my life there. Back when Ms. Rethwisch was more involved with the students. Im not exactly sure where her motives now lie, but I can assure you that deep down she is a great person. She was always the glue that held the school together. She was the one who kept everything in order and everyone happy by giving us all invidual attention, and respect. She was the one who made us all feel so welcome and at ease. It was only until she got farther away from us and stopped being as involved as usual, when the glue started to come apart. Ms Rethwisch, if your reading this, please forgive me for my lack of respect. I havent forgotten all the things youve done for me. Even the things I didnt quite understand at the time, I know were out of good intention. Youve built a fine school. But things arent looking so hot right now. And your school now needs you more than ever! Your the only one that can pull the school out of the hole in which it is now in... Again, forgive me for my harsh words against you and the well oiled machine know as *Teacher's Hands Academy.* Because like I said, I had some of the best time of my life there, met some of the best friends I still have, and one of the most amazing girls Ive ever met... In conclusion,Ms Rethwisch, Ms Nievez, those of you who know me, and those of you who dont, forgive me for my act of treachery. For at one point in time Teachers Hands Acadeny was my home away from home. It may no longer be where all my loyalty lies, but in these veins, flowing through my blood, there will always be the love and respect I once had, for the well oiled machine, known as Teacher's Hands Academy.

I think THA is getting better for the 2004-2005 school year.It seems to me that they just want to get things done right at THA.It's now packed with certified teachers and students are behaving much better and also the teachers really want to see the students succeed.I think Carolyn Rethwisch and Michelle Nieves are truly great christian women that want to see things get done right.I know there were some problems last school year,but I think,like I said,THA is getting better.This is my fourth year here at this school.I belive the school is starting to find christ and his teachings and principals.I don't think there is any rip-off,scam or sham situation of any kind.''A safe place for a child's heart,soul,and mind'' and ''A private chistian school'' know longer seems to me like a bunch of propaganda,it's the truth.this school is a great christian school with great students,staff,teachers,owners and principals.

Thanks Hopra, Thank you for the comment about the level of service available in public schools. I don't think that it is sad that public schools are meeting the needs as well as or better than private schools. Private schools "cherry pick" their students. They don't need to meet the requirements that a public school has to of serving ALL children. A private school will release any child which they feel is too much effort (this happened to my son at a Christian school). Public schools do have procedures within the school and procedures of remedy. Are they perfect? No. Are they better than private schools? I would have to say yes. I am a 45 y.o. single father of 2 that is back getting his teaching license. Hopefully in 2 more semesters. The time and financial sacrafice that my family is making so I can do this is incredible... but we all think that it is worth it. In the past 2 years of going back to college I have met many young people with very good hearts and strong desires to become teachers. You have to if you want to make it through the teaching program. The public school system is not perfect. Either for children with special needs or "normal" children. There are restraints on resources available and sometimes compromises need to be made... and hopefully with a minimum impact on the important things. Everyone, me too, has war stories where schools fall short. However, the remedies available to parents in a public school are much more accessible than with a private school. All a private school has to do is decide that they don't want that child anymore and that child is out. If a private school (I am not saying this one is or isn't) isn't meeting the needs of the children then I would suggest going back to the public school system and use the time and energy to help make a change there. Instead of maybe correcting one isolated problem in a private school they can contribute to and make a big improvement. Voting (or helping with the campaign) for the school board members. Volunteers are welcome at public schools. Fund raisers to help where budgets don't cover. Pundits and the politicians use voodoo statistics for their own personal agenda. With millions of children and thousands of schools it is easy to find an example where something falls short... These are not indicitave of schools and teachers overall. America's public schools are doing better than in any other time in history. This is the fact after the numbers are properly analyzed. Thanks,

a child I know that attended T.H.A. never got the the extra help that she needed. She has a learning disability and nobody seemed to care. She was often teased and ridiculed by her teachers!( can you beleive that?). That truly doesn't reflect Christians values at all. I have found more compassion from public schools. How sad is that? All the teachers had favorites and that isn't fair. Whether the allegations are true or not, you all have a lot to learn about showing God's love, and making a hurting child feel loved and important. I hope the truth comes out soon so that if it is correct people like you will not be able to hurt and cheat people out of what is right and true ever again. How can you live with that in your heart everyday???

a child I know that attended T.H.A. never got the the extra help that she needed. She has a learning disability and nobody seemed to care. She was often teased and ridiculed by her teachers!( can you beleive that?). That truly doesn't reflect Christians values at all. I have found more compassion from public schools. How sad is that? All the teachers had favorites and that isn't fair. Whether the allegations are true or not, you all have a lot to learn about showing God's love, and making a hurting child feel loved and important. I hope the truth comes out soon so that if it is correct people like you will not be able to hurt and cheat people out of what is right and true ever again. How can you live with that in your heart everyday???

Hello again Mr. Anderson and all those reading this. Ive come to you today to say that Teachers Hands Academy is "The Matrix." Its an illusion. Its not real. Ms.Rethwisch is a program designed to brainwash parents into thinking THA is a good school for their children. However, this program has run out of control. Only you can stop it Mr. Anderson. Only you can save the peoples money and the governments money for that matter. Good luck Mr. Anderson. P.S. Im prophesizing

Well Mr. Anderson you have done a good job over at tha. Goodluck to all those going to jail over this. P.S. THE MATRIX

Way to go "G." Even though I think I know who you are Im not going to speak your name-Just good job! These are some the some of the things Ive heard from people who are still on the inside of THA. These things were pre-maturaly happening even while I was there. They simply got a lot worse the following year. And no, we're not all expelled families writing against the school in anger, or out of revenge Mrs Marsh. Just go back in your hole. As for you Trish, or Ms. Long-I agree with this guy-(http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/ripoff97466.htm)-Whether Curtis' intentions are good or bad, that doesnt excuse whats been going on at Teachers Hands or the lack of accredidation. And what is this crap about racism your runnin? Yeah, Northstar has a mojority of white students. Your white, and so is your son. What does that have to do with anything?? Oh and by the way, your in the fight now.

Why is everyone fighing over this stuff everyone knows it messed up and trish everyone knows how your involved in tha's rip off money scam plus you invested in a school thats stealing from the gov. so your just trying to make your money come back which it isint so you might as well crawl into a hole. P.S. Too Badd your already there...

It appears to me many of the students (and a few of the adults, to be honest) appear to be uneducated and angry. I wonder how many of the over 50 families expelled from Teacher's Hands are writing this nonsense? Carolynn and Michelle, keep up the good work!

These allegations are totally false. I have been associated with this school for six years. My son went from being several years behind in the elementary school to now attending the high school and Post High Schooling the Stanford 10 Test. He has received several scholarship offers from several colleges. He has a friend named Drew BEnnett who is attending a university in Missippi, several friends attending both UCF and Valencia and all were friends of his and graduates from THA. The owners love kids. Anyone who has met them or been around them knows that. They have people working for them who have wounded them personally and yet they have forgiven them in the best interests of the children. Unfortunately, Carolyn's husband, whom I have yet to see at many functions, has started this propaganda because he wants custody of his children. These are beautiful girls who are in the middle of a mess because their "father" wants to hurt their mother. Ilene Carr is a joke. She sent her son to North Star which received a D on the F-CAT. Read the results only 39% of the WHITE children can read at grade level. What about children who aren't white? THA is a mixture of all colors. Those girls don't have a racial bone in their body. She says they are accredited. THEY ARE NOT! One of several public schools in Orange County not accredited. Do your homework. They have never had people having sex in the bathrooms or drugs on campus. The only student in six years caught with drugs was arrested on the spot that day and it was for having a few buds of marijuanna. These are ridiculous lies made up by a distraught exhusband and his lunatic new wife whom he lived with and brought around the school while he was still married. This site is a joke. I'm sorry people as good as Michelle and Carolyn and their staff are even put through this but at least they trust God that HE will prevail through all of this. Carolyn and Michelle just remember there are many people who support you but wanted to stay out of the fight. You however have our support.

I AM A PERSON THAT HAS GONE TO THA FOR 3 YEARS NOW.THIS SCHOOL HAS ALWAYS HAD MINOR PROBLEMS BUT TODAY IT HAS GOTTEN WORSER THAN EVER.YOU HAVE KIDS BRINGING DRUGS TO THE SCHOOL,TALKING ABOUT HOW THEY USE DRUGS.YOU ALSO HAVE LOUD,ARRAGENT KIDS THINKING THEIR BETTER THAN EVERYONE ELSE GOING INTO ANY CLASSROOM THEY WANT.IN TEACHERS HANDS ACADEMY YOU HAVE TEACHERS INSTEAD OF TEACHING,THEY RATHER PLAY POKER IN CLASS AND USE PROFANE WORDS WHEN THEY MAKE A DEAL. YOU HAVE UNCERTIFIED TEACHERS.YOU HAVE STUDENTS HAVING SEX IN THE BATHROOMS AND LEAVING CONDOMS.YOU HAVE RACISTS,PEOPLE THAT ARE PREJEDUCE.THEIRS TEACHERS THAT INSTEAD OF TEACHING THEY PICK ON OTHER STUDENTS IN SUCH UNEDUCATIONAL MANNERS,LIKE WHO ARE THEY GOING OUT WITH,WHICH PERSON IS GOOD FOR THEM AS A DATE,LIKE AS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE CLASS!!!!!.YOU HAVE KIDS THAT DONT WANT TO DO WORK.YOU HAVE KIDS THAT COMPARE OTHER KIDS TO CRIMINALS WHEN THEY ARE ACTUALLY NOT.PEOPLE GETTING ARRESTED FOR STUFF THEY DID'NT DO.YOU HAVE CHILDREN MOONING OTHER PEOPLE.KIDS THAT ARE NEVER IN CLASS. YOU HAVE PEOPLE SAYING RACIST SLANG UPON OTHER STUDENTS.IN A WAY THIS SCHOOL IS A RIP-OFF AND A SHAM.''TEACHERS HANDS ACADEMY,A SAFE PLACE FOR A CHILD'S HEART,SOUL,AND MIND'' AND ''A PRIVATE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL''IS A BUNCH OF PROBAGANDA.THIS SCHOOL IS TOTALLY DISORGANIZED AND A BUNCH OF CLOSET-SIZED POOR CLASSROOMS AND ALOT OF MESS UP,UNPROPER,UNCRISTIAN STUDENTS,NOT ALL,BUT ALOT.

You should all be aware before you respond to Curtis and his yahoo website or e-mail address that he is Carolyn Rethwish's ex-husband and is trying to take her to court. You WILL be involved in a nasty, custody battle and huge court case if you get yourself involved.....Unless you are prepared to do that...be very careful......

Ms.Rethwisch was a wonderful person to me my first year. But some of the things she did for me that she thought would help me was help I did'nt ask for. If you were there, and you know what happened, then you know that at one point, I was completely misunderstood. And I had to undergo a life altering experience that I didnt deserve. And Im not just some "kid" supporting my friend. I wrote this report on my own. Its not like the school didnt have any effect on MY life. Chad is a good friend of mine, but if I knew he was going to write his own report, I wouldnt have mentioned him. And dont question my loyalty for THA. I was more loyal to that school then anyone I knew inside, or outside of the school.(the irony) I did go back after all. But Im not trying to make this an argument. Ive said all Im going to say for now. Sincerely,

Why rely on the panderings of the "ex" employees, students, parents, etc. Do a little research and the truth will be clear on THA and its "christian" owners. Take a stroll on the web to www.sunbiz.org, click on "online searches", then select "federal liens". Enter "Teachers Hands Academy" in the debtor name field and begin exploring the well over 1/4 million dollars in liens against the school. And by the way, if you are a board member, you may want to check your personal liability in regard to these liens. If that isn't enough, take a gander at http://www.comptroller.co.orange.fl.us/2002/index2.html and go through the screens to get to records search. Once in look up the owners (proper spelling) Carolyn Rethwisch & Michelle Nieves and you will find more liens. Many people know and have commented that these "christian" women go through money like it was water. Wonder where it comes from? Wonder why they are borrowing money from everyone who buys into their scam? Do you know how many "businesses" are listed at the Curryford Road address? Do you wonder how or why one person can be in the hospital so much? Have you ever met anyone who has so much "crisis" at all times in their life? Have you wondered how two women can sleep in the same bed for years and stand up in front of the school's staff and parents and preach about homosexuality? If you were once in the "inner circle" and have evidence that will help end this pyramid of cards, send your REAL name and a phone number to "[email protected]" and someone will contact you. Please do not reply if you have nothing but hearsay or if you "don't want to get involved" there are too many people who won't stand up for the truth. If you are serious about helping respond. If you are witness to the after hours conduct and are willing to testify to the moral conduct of the owners, have inside information on the financial transactions or the environment of the owners children then please for the sake of doing what is right, reply. Chad, please have your mother reply. Lilly, please reply. Ilene, please reply. Stacey, please reply. You CAN make a difference, just stand up! If 18 year old boys and girls can go to Iraq and die for us, then we should have enough spine to be willing to go on the record to speak out against these perpetrators of fraud.

Disgrunted - hardly. First and foremost I am a mother that had a disabled child enrolled in this sham of a school. My son's chance for college was close to being compromised by their deceipt and lies. I have a perfectly clean conscience, which is more than I can say for you Suzy, or your sister (Rita) that notorized a fraudulent document, because Carolyn who was out of town told her to. Rita, when you are a notary you have to see that person sign a document before you can notorize it. Otherwise it is fraud, which you committed. And you continue to call yourselves christians - you have a long way to go sister. Everything I wrote was 100% true. My problem was that I refused to produce fraudulent financial reports for investors like Michael Benjamin. I was instructed to list the debits only and not the credits, which is not only unethical but out and out fraud. How about the large screen televisions and other items that were purchased with THA funds and then taken to Carolyn's or Michelle's homes? That wasn't shown on the financial reports. Come on - you can't be serious. The only person I didn't get along with at the school was Carolyn, because I have a brain, business ethics and experience, and wouldn't do everything she told me to do. I will NOT break the law for anyone under any circumstances. It was a fact that if a teacher gave one of her children a bad grade, they were "let go". Her children bragged about getting teachers fired. These were certified teachers that did things legitimately. What a concept, real teachers - real grades, something her chidlren and students weren't use to or prepared for. There was a lot of preference shown to her children, why do you think they won Disney's dreamer and doers all the time? Because when they wrote their papers and with their names or sister's names in it so it was clear who wrote it. Teachers were compelled to vote for them to save their jobs. This school is a sham - they have lied to and cheated hundreds of parents and students, as well as the state of Florida by over charging and collecting funds inappropriately. These children are NOT getting a quality education and the majority of the teachers are not certified to teach. What about the bus driver that has no more than a high school diploma teaching English and Math? No comment on that one? Or Jan Downs teaching Ecomonics. These aren't alligations, they are the facts. I have nothing to gain from writing this. I just hate to see families, especially ones with disabled or special children taken advantage of. These children already have challenges they must overcome. Don't add to their challenges by providing them with a substandard education and therapy that is only a ploy to get more money out of the state. How many of the special ed teachers are certified in special ed? Parents, ask for proof before turning you child over to them. I am glad I went to work for THA. It was a blessing from God. Without it, I wouldn't have known that the school wasn't accredited and my disabled son wouldn't have been admitted to college. So although it was an eye opening experience, it was also a blessing in disguise. Your attack of my personal character was expected, but unjustified. I can assure you - I haven't lied, cheated or stolen from people. I haven't mislead them in the name of God. How is it a "safe place" when a nice young man got brutally assulted without his ever lifting a hand and because his mother and father (a pastor) wanted answers and action, his mother was terminated. Where do you people get off thinking you are christians doing God's work? Get out your bible and start reading, because you are way off. Padded grades are a way of life at that school. Nothing is honest - nothing is what it appears to be. My son was given a transcript indicating he took Spanish 1 and got an "A" when he actually took Spanish 2 because they didn't have a Spanish 1 class that year. That's cheating my son, and the system. How can you build a christian school on those principles? An investigation will come - you can't rip people off without someone reporting you to the authorities. Believe me there are a lot of people that will talk when this finally comes out. Even some of your valued employees that will want to save their own skin before they save Carolyn's or Michelle's. Remember, ignorance of the law isn't a defense.

I am a Mother whose child attended THA.In the beginning every one was wondeful.It was apparent to me that God was first.Since then some of the things I've read and heard are appalling! I know Carolyn was a Christian when I new her.She was also very sick.Seems as though things moved along a little too quickly. I would like to see proof of the lack of accredations.Also Carolyn and michelle being gay.That seems a little obsurd!My heart goes out to all that got hurt!Maybe some mistakes were made and maybe not!I think this whole situation needs much prayer.I know Chad's mother is a strong woman of integrity.So all could not be untrue!Would like to know the truth!

Hello this Tommy Thompson I went to Teachers Hands Academy for 2 and half years. Who are you to talk about personal information about me. Teachers Hands Academy is not accredited and it is very hard to get into college. Some colleges will not accept Teachers hands academy's Transcrips. I think Suzy your trying to protect a foundation that is not on solid ground and your going to fall into a pit with stealers and robbers like yourself. I want to be clear on this. Iam not in a group of rebs trying to take down THA but I am telling the truth and so is Chad, Lilly,llene And Beau and their not bashing the school itself just the people who try to defend Lies. P.S. Suzy Who are you to talk about me or my friends like that...

Suzy i must say yes you were right THA did help me find religion i wasnt a good christian and didnt have a good foundation with God and thats one thing that the school itself gave me but that doesnt cancel out the things that were done and said. I will be thankful that i found religion that is not in question but im disgusted by the way things are handled and how i almost didnt get into college because of accredation.

Suzy you need to get a clue my mom had to lie numerous times for this school and she was put in many situations for the sake of keeping her job. I thought the school was on the "up and up" persay i used to think they were legit but after observing all these things and then noticing small things that i before didnt even pay mind to i too noticed that something wasnt right. Suzy tell me this how can a student get his face busted open and not even through a punch and then his mother just so happens she has to resign due to pressure from the "boss". And tell me this suzy is it also true that 2 teachers that gave the priciples daughter a "failing grade" fired? I even told Jones watch it you gave her a F and they are gonna get rid of you he said it was alright that whatever happens will happen he was a good man and instilled some lasting values in me in the short time i got to know him and he was dismissed and then another teacher who taught science also got his tire slashed and he was also gone shortly after and and what about the other teacher mr muddings i believe was his name they "tired" to get rid of him but they couldnt he was never late he taught the way he was suppost to so they couldnt at the time fire him. Now you may say chad how can they let people go for these things? Well its not hard when the priciples daughter would storm into the office and say "Im getting muddings fire today!" and they did try to fire him for whatever reason they gave i dont know if he is still there. Now tell me this how can a 10th grader get into Valencia on duel enrollment? Well that is only really a junior and senior program and im sure they had to lie to get him into it at that young and to my knowledge all the duel enrollment students except myself failed out of it cause they weren't mature enough to handle that type of learning environment. The only reason some of those kids were in Valencia was to make the parents happy. But thats not all grades totally padded. I myself just got accepted to UWF in the honors program so i know that even though there were times i should of made a C and i made a B it was cause i was who i was. I could of easily made an A but i knew that i wouldnt get the C so i figured why put in the extra effort. And when that teacher got his tire slashed and the spanish teacher found out you know what she told me "You know why he got his tire slashed, he gave his students F's" So suzy whats the deal with this? safe place for the heart? padded grades hmm certainly not the mind? whats the deal nowand btw suzy lay off the caps you abuse it too often. Oh and since you dicided to mention my mom getting fired i better talk about that too my mom started to "speak up" on things she knew werent right and when a "incident" would happen instead of having the directors assistant in with them like before if they were near her they would quickly go silent and move into another area away from her. Oh and for you to talk about her other jobs lady you have no idea what her past employers were like one of them used to talk about different ways he could kill himself. Now tell me this suzy if you were in a job environment would you want to stay with a boss that talked about killing themselves? Ofcourse you wouldnt. If you were smart i hope you wouldnt but i cant speak for you just for my mom. Oh and since you wanted to talk about me staying at the school till she took me out you need to get a clue on that too. My mom started finding out things about accredation and then she was dismissed on a friday and we got a phone call saying that she shouldnt come in on monday and to not bring chad back to school either. So for afew days i didnt go back until i went back and had a meeting with Rethwish in wish i got my transcipts and left the school and she asked me to stay until december and then if i wanted to i could go to a accredated school. And i thought to myself if they were really accredated why would she say in december i could always go to another one. Because they werent and just so you know she didnt take me out i choose to leave of my own accord at the time i was a 18 year old man and i have full capability of making my own decisions as far as this matter and that even if she didnt work there anymore i could stay but ofcouse knowing what i knew i didnt want to stay not for another second. So suzy before you start to talk about stuff you dont know you better step off and talk about what you do know and from what im seeing is not all that much but who am i to judge you right? And alot of the "respectable" staff that were certified or worth anything were either let go or left because they didnt want to be in that type of work place. And tell me this also how is it students can make Straight A's at that school and bomb the SAT so bad a college probably wont give you a 2nd look even more proof they pad the grades now me i did fine but i consider myself a intellectual and fairly smart indivisual so that may not apply to everyone. Im already out of school i got into my college i gain nothing and lose nothing but writing this report but it was very hard for me at first when i would confront college's while going to THA and then finding out they werent accreded. And lastly How is it i was put in a Spanish 2 Class and i never took spanish 1? i even got a spanish 2 credit and never took it and were were told by Rethwish that oh she would just mark down that i took spanish 1 cause i already got a A in spanish 2. Now if your a christian you base your life off of honesty or aleast part of it. How is this honest lieing in something as important as school transcripts and documentation. Lucky when i got to my new school they said just to be safe i should take spanish 1. And i took it so now even if someone wanted to say oh well you didnt take 2 consecutive years of spanish and such and tried to mess me over cant because i took it when i got to my new school and by the way North Star WONDERFUL school i love them to death they saved me in the darkest time of my high school career because i was cheated nad lied to by the very school i trusted and they were nothing but love and honesty and i will always love the school and their staff all of them even though i didnt get to be with them very long treated me like i have been there for years. Thank you, Chad Burke (not a disgruntled employee and i speak my own mind and have my own opinions so dont say i was influenced in anyway into writing this.)

FIRST, EVEN THOUGH THESE HARSH COMMENTS SEEM NUMEROUS, THEY ARE BEING WRITTEN BY A SMALL GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT ARE CLOSELY ASSOCIATED (EXCEPT THE ONE FROM OVER A YEAR AGO THAT I AM HUMBLY CONFIDENT WAS WRITTEN BY AN EMPLOYEE THAT WAS A FEW DAYS EARLIER INDISPUTABLY DISMISSED). OTHERWISE, THESE COMMENTS ARE BEING VOICED BY A PREVIOUS EMPLOYEE AND FRIENDS OF HER SON. I APPRECIATE THE LOYALTY THESE KIDS ARE SHOWING TO THEIR FRIEND, ALTHOUGH THEY ARE MISGUIDED. CHAD WAS NOT EXPELLED. HIS MOTHER WITHDREW HIM. THERE IS PROOF OF THIS.BEAU AND TOMMY, I AM VERY PLEASED THAT YOU HAVE FOUND A SCHOOL THAT YOU OBVIOUSLY LOVE.BUT, IF YOU ARE HONEST, YOU WILL SAY THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY CIRCUMSTANCES WHEN THE ADMINSTRATION OF THA HAS GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND WHAT WAS REQUIRED OF THEM-FOR YOU. ADMINISTRATORS HAVE STEPPED IN AND SUPPORTED YOU, BEAU. MS. RETHWISCH WAS THERE FOR YOU WHEN YOU NEEDED HER. TOMMY, YOU WERE ALLOWED TO ATTEND SCHOOL FOR TWO YEARS EVEN THOUGH OBLIGATIONS WERE NOT BEING MET. THA MAY NO LONGER BE WHERE YOUR LOYATLY LIES, BUT WHEN YOU DID ATTEND, THERE WERE MANY THAT HELPED AND SUPPORTED YOU. I BELIEVE IN SCHOOL CHOICE. THERE IS NOT, AND NEVER WILL BE, ONE SCHOOL, JOB, OR EVEN MOVIE THAT WILL MEET THE NEEDS AND DESIRES OF EVERYONE. THA IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING ACCREDITED. IT IS SOMETHING THAT I HAVE PERSONALLY BEEN WORKING ON. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF SETTING UP OUR LIBRARY. MY ONE CRITERIA IS TO SUPPLY THE LIBRARY WITH THE PROPER NUMBER OF VOLUMES OF THE PROPER SELECTION TO MEET OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCREDIDATION. YES, THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN WE HAVE HAD WATER LEAKS. AND YES, DAMAGE WAS DONE TO CEILING TILES AND/OR THE CARPETS. REPAIRS WERE MADE, TILES WERE REPLACES AND CARPETS WERE CLEANED. I GUARANTEE YOU EVERY SCHOOL, PLACE OF BUSINESS AND FOR THAT MATTER, HOME, HAS OR WILL SUFFER THE SAME MISFORTUNES. WE HAVE JANITORIAL AND MAINTENANCE PEOPLE ON STAFF AND, OF COURSE,WE CALL IN PROFESSIONAL REPAIR PEOPLE WHEN NECESSARY. OUR SCHOOL IS UNIQUE. I LIKE TO SAY WE ARE SO FAR OUT OF THE BOX THAT WE ARE POKA DOTTED. I THINK THAT IS WHAT MAKES US GREAT. I TAKE EXCEPTION FOR MY FELLOW TEACHERS WHO ARE ACCUSED OF NOT BEING DEGREED, CERTIFIED, PROPERLY TRAINED OR COMPETENT. THIS IS NOT TRUE. IF WE DO HAVE AN EMPLOYEE WHO IS NOT DOING THEIR JOB PROPERLY, THEY WILL BE DISMISSED FOR THE GOOD OF ALL. NOW, TO ILENE, YOU ARE A DISGRUNTLED EMPLOYEE. YOU DID NOT RESIGN IN RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION. YOU WERE DISMISSED BECAUSE AFTER COUNSELING YOU, REMINDING YOU AND THEN FLAT OUT WARNING YOU, YOU CONTINUED TO OFFEND PEOPLE, FELLOW EMPLOYEES AND PARENTS ALIKE. IT WAS TO THE POINT THAT IF YOU WERE NOT DISMISSED, WE WERE GOING TO HAVE EMPLOYEEES RESIGNING AND PARENTS WITHDRAWING. I REALIZE THIS IS QUITE MEAN SPIRITED, BUT, WERE YOU NOT DISMISSED FROM OTHER JOBS FOR THESE SAME REASONS? YOU KNOW, AS WELL AS I DO, THAT CHAD WAS NOT EXPELLED BECAUSE YOU WERE FIRED. HE CONTINUED TO ATTEND HERE UNTIL YOU WITHDREW HIM. DURING THE TIME HE CONTINUED TO ATTEND, THERE WERE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM STAFF THAT YOU WERE STOPPING THEM WITH RUMORS OF THE SCHOOL CLOSING AND OTHER SUCH MEAN SPIRITED LIES. AFTER YOU WERE DISMISSED, YOU CONTINUED TO ASK FOR AND RECEIVE ASSISTANCE FROM MS.RETHWISCH IN MATTERS CONCERNING CHAD. CHAD DID BENEFIT FROM HIS TIME HERE. YOU KNOW THAT. AND I CAN REMEMBER THE TIMES WHEN CHAD SPOKE TO ME PERSONALLY ABOUT THE WAYS. THA IS A GOOD SCHOOL. IT IS NOT PERFECT. IN MY ALMOST 16 YEARS IN EDUCATION, I HAVEN'T FOUND ONE THAT WAS. WE ARE THE RIGHT SCHOOL FOR SOME TEACHERS, SOME STUDENTS AND SOME PARENTS. THERE ARE OTHERS OUT THERE THAT FULFILL THE NEEDS OF THE REST. I PROUDLY WORK HERE AND MY CHILDREN ATTEND HERE. I HOPE ANY PROSPECTIVE OR CURRENT PARENT WILL ALWAYS BE THOUGHFUL AND PRAYERFUL ABOUT THE DECISIONS THEY MAKE ON THEIR CHILDREN'S BEHALF. I, ON MY OWN BEHALF AND ON THE BEHALF OF A VERY DEDICATED STAFF, WILL DO EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO MAKE THIS THE BEST SCHOOL POSSIBLE, ALWAYS LEARNING AND IMPROVING. IT IS OUR HEART'S DESIRE FOR IT TO BE A SAFE PLACE FOR YOUR CHILD'S HEART, SOUL AND MIND.

TEACHER'S HANDS IS NOT THE ANSWER. PLEASE BEWARE, YOU ARE ENTRUSTING YOUR CHILDREN AND THEIR EDUCATION TO PEOPLE THAT HAVE BECOME GREEDY AND ARE NOT INVESTING THE MONEY NOR THE TIME IN THE CHILDREN THAT GO THERE. Thank you Lily and Stacy for your honestly. I hope every day that the State will launch a full investigation into this school and their business practices. My disabled son attended the school for 2 years and the school received state funds for his education. At first I believed in their mission and supported them. However, after I went to work there last summer, I had a different opinion. I AM NOT A DISGRUNTLED EMPLOYEE, please do not mistake what I am saying for anger. What I witnessed as an employee and parent was frightening and eye opening. I was given a fraudulent notorized document of my child's transcripts when he left (which I still have to show to the authorities should there ever be an investigation. I swear to God this is the absolute, unadulterated truth. They collected state funds for a student that didn't attend one class on THA's campus. They borrowed money from student's parents and in return the school provided either business to that parent's company or did something special for that child. A real conflict of interest in any business. They even mislead Valencia Community College when trying to enroll dual enrollment students. I know, because I had to lie for them so one of their investor's daughters could get into the dual enrollment program at Valencia. She was too young and shouldn't have gotten in on her own merit and age. I seriously question the ethics in this. Deception is something they do without blinking an eye. As for the classrooms, etc., there were classrooms with water leaks that stunk from mold. Many classrooms are small, similar to a walkin closet with no windows and poor ventilation. How about a chemistry lab without a window for ventilation - how safe is that? What about fumes when chemicals are mixted together? Our children breathed these fumes. The rescue squad was always at that school for something. The restroom facilities were inadequate for the number of children using them. There was no place for the girls or boys to dress out for PE and they had to bunch up in a restroom to change. We did not have enough busses for children, yet we signed students up as if we could transport them in a timely manner. There was an incident when two small children did not get home until 7 PM and both directors and the principal were aware of this problem. They elected to go to a soccer game and leave these children at school to wait for a broken down bus that didn't arrive until after 6:30 PM. Most importantly is the fact that most of the teachers are not certified to teach at all. The bus driver taught English and Math - that was freightening to me. Then the principal's mother was teaching Economics. Neither one of these people had any business teaching students cirriculum. SO PLEASE ASK - ask for documentation to prove it. These people are teaching your children and you have every right to know the facts. A certified teacher makes a difference. Do you want a certified teacher to teach your children, or Joe Smo down the street. All of this went on while collecting state funds. It's horrible to mislead the public, as well as the state of Florida. I questioned many things while I was there. I wanted proof they were an accredited school. THEY WERE NOT, and I was blantently lied to and told they were. When I called the agencies to verify, the agencies told me they had no affiliation with THA and were not accredited with them, although it did say so on State's website. When I called the state, I was told they didn't verify the accreditation information given to them by the school, believing it to be valid. Because of that question and my persistance, I was dismissed (what a blessing from God). My son was also told not to return, although he was an honor roll student. Is this a christian like practice? In my opinion, greed is the motivation behind this so called school now. Quality is gladly sacrificed for quantity. Another thing, the director of students with disabilites was often left out of meetings intentionally and wasn't treated professionally by the directors or principal. She was even moved to an office without a phone and had to work with clutter around her. There were a lot of children with physical or learning disabilities at that school - she should have been included and valued as a resource. She was not treated in a christian like manner, by either director or principal. They often made fun of her behind her back - which I found to be very childish and hurtful. If you have high school age children, THEY MUST BE IN AN ACCREDITED SCHOOL TO GO TO COLLEGE. I would like to see a full investigation by the State's investigator general before they pay any more funds to this place. Their business practices are very unethical and certainly warrant a full investigation by the authorities. If you have a special needs child, please check out Lake Silver Elementary. It's a wonderful environment and you can be assured your children will get the best possible care and education available to them. If they are middle school and high school age, I pray that you will contact the Orange County School Board and find our where your child can go. ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS - YOUR CHILD IS WORTH IT.

TEACHER'S HANDS IS NOT THE ANSWER. PLEASE BEWARE, YOU ARE ENTRUSTING YOUR CHILDREN AND THEIR EDUCATION TO PEOPLE THAT HAVE BECOME GREEDY AND ARE NOT INVESTING THE MONEY NOR THE TIME IN THE CHILDREN THAT GO THERE. Thank you Lily and Stacy for your honestly. I hope every day that the State will launch a full investigation into this school and their business practices. My disabled son attended the school for 2 years and the school received state funds for his education. At first I believed in their mission and supported them. However, after I went to work there last summer, I had a different opinion. I AM NOT A DISGRUNTLED EMPLOYEE, please do not mistake what I am saying for anger. What I witnessed as an employee and parent was frightening and eye opening. I was given a fraudulent notorized document of my child's transcripts when he left (which I still have to show to the authorities should there ever be an investigation. I swear to God this is the absolute, unadulterated truth. They collected state funds for a student that didn't attend one class on THA's campus. They borrowed money from student's parents and in return the school provided either business to that parent's company or did something special for that child. A real conflict of interest in any business. They even mislead Valencia Community College when trying to enroll dual enrollment students. I know, because I had to lie for them so one of their investor's daughters could get into the dual enrollment program at Valencia. She was too young and shouldn't have gotten in on her own merit and age. I seriously question the ethics in this. Deception is something they do without blinking an eye. As for the classrooms, etc., there were classrooms with water leaks that stunk from mold. Many classrooms are small, similar to a walkin closet with no windows and poor ventilation. How about a chemistry lab without a window for ventilation - how safe is that? What about fumes when chemicals are mixted together? Our children breathed these fumes. The rescue squad was always at that school for something. The restroom facilities were inadequate for the number of children using them. There was no place for the girls or boys to dress out for PE and they had to bunch up in a restroom to change. We did not have enough busses for children, yet we signed students up as if we could transport them in a timely manner. There was an incident when two small children did not get home until 7 PM and both directors and the principal were aware of this problem. They elected to go to a soccer game and leave these children at school to wait for a broken down bus that didn't arrive until after 6:30 PM. Most importantly is the fact that most of the teachers are not certified to teach at all. The bus driver taught English and Math - that was freightening to me. Then the principal's mother was teaching Economics. Neither one of these people had any business teaching students cirriculum. SO PLEASE ASK - ask for documentation to prove it. These people are teaching your children and you have every right to know the facts. A certified teacher makes a difference. Do you want a certified teacher to teach your children, or Joe Smo down the street. All of this went on while collecting state funds. It's horrible to mislead the public, as well as the state of Florida. I questioned many things while I was there. I wanted proof they were an accredited school. THEY WERE NOT, and I was blantently lied to and told they were. When I called the agencies to verify, the agencies told me they had no affiliation with THA and were not accredited with them, although it did say so on State's website. When I called the state, I was told they didn't verify the accreditation information given to them by the school, believing it to be valid. Because of that question and my persistance, I was dismissed (what a blessing from God). My son was also told not to return, although he was an honor roll student. Is this a christian like practice? In my opinion, greed is the motivation behind this so called school now. Quality is gladly sacrificed for quantity. Another thing, the director of students with disabilites was often left out of meetings intentionally and wasn't treated professionally by the directors or principal. She was even moved to an office without a phone and had to work with clutter around her. There were a lot of children with physical or learning disabilities at that school - she should have been included and valued as a resource. She was not treated in a christian like manner, by either director or principal. They often made fun of her behind her back - which I found to be very childish and hurtful. If you have high school age children, THEY MUST BE IN AN ACCREDITED SCHOOL TO GO TO COLLEGE. I would like to see a full investigation by the State's investigator general before they pay any more funds to this place. Their business practices are very unethical and certainly warrant a full investigation by the authorities. If you have a special needs child, please check out Lake Silver Elementary. It's a wonderful environment and you can be assured your children will get the best possible care and education available to them. If they are middle school and high school age, I pray that you will contact the Orange County School Board and find our where your child can go. ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS - YOUR CHILD IS WORTH IT.

TEACHER'S HANDS IS NOT THE ANSWER. PLEASE BEWARE, YOU ARE ENTRUSTING YOUR CHILDREN AND THEIR EDUCATION TO PEOPLE THAT HAVE BECOME GREEDY AND ARE NOT INVESTING THE MONEY NOR THE TIME IN THE CHILDREN THAT GO THERE. Thank you Lily and Stacy for your honestly. I hope every day that the State will launch a full investigation into this school and their business practices. My disabled son attended the school for 2 years and the school received state funds for his education. At first I believed in their mission and supported them. However, after I went to work there last summer, I had a different opinion. I AM NOT A DISGRUNTLED EMPLOYEE, please do not mistake what I am saying for anger. What I witnessed as an employee and parent was frightening and eye opening. I was given a fraudulent notorized document of my child's transcripts when he left (which I still have to show to the authorities should there ever be an investigation. I swear to God this is the absolute, unadulterated truth. They collected state funds for a student that didn't attend one class on THA's campus. They borrowed money from student's parents and in return the school provided either business to that parent's company or did something special for that child. A real conflict of interest in any business. They even mislead Valencia Community College when trying to enroll dual enrollment students. I know, because I had to lie for them so one of their investor's daughters could get into the dual enrollment program at Valencia. She was too young and shouldn't have gotten in on her own merit and age. I seriously question the ethics in this. Deception is something they do without blinking an eye. As for the classrooms, etc., there were classrooms with water leaks that stunk from mold. Many classrooms are small, similar to a walkin closet with no windows and poor ventilation. How about a chemistry lab without a window for ventilation - how safe is that? What about fumes when chemicals are mixted together? Our children breathed these fumes. The rescue squad was always at that school for something. The restroom facilities were inadequate for the number of children using them. There was no place for the girls or boys to dress out for PE and they had to bunch up in a restroom to change. We did not have enough busses for children, yet we signed students up as if we could transport them in a timely manner. There was an incident when two small children did not get home until 7 PM and both directors and the principal were aware of this problem. They elected to go to a soccer game and leave these children at school to wait for a broken down bus that didn't arrive until after 6:30 PM. Most importantly is the fact that most of the teachers are not certified to teach at all. The bus driver taught English and Math - that was freightening to me. Then the principal's mother was teaching Economics. Neither one of these people had any business teaching students cirriculum. SO PLEASE ASK - ask for documentation to prove it. These people are teaching your children and you have every right to know the facts. A certified teacher makes a difference. Do you want a certified teacher to teach your children, or Joe Smo down the street. All of this went on while collecting state funds. It's horrible to mislead the public, as well as the state of Florida. I questioned many things while I was there. I wanted proof they were an accredited school. THEY WERE NOT, and I was blantently lied to and told they were. When I called the agencies to verify, the agencies told me they had no affiliation with THA and were not accredited with them, although it did say so on State's website. When I called the state, I was told they didn't verify the accreditation information given to them by the school, believing it to be valid. Because of that question and my persistance, I was dismissed (what a blessing from God). My son was also told not to return, although he was an honor roll student. Is this a christian like practice? In my opinion, greed is the motivation behind this so called school now. Quality is gladly sacrificed for quantity. Another thing, the director of students with disabilites was often left out of meetings intentionally and wasn't treated professionally by the directors or principal. She was even moved to an office without a phone and had to work with clutter around her. There were a lot of children with physical or learning disabilities at that school - she should have been included and valued as a resource. She was not treated in a christian like manner, by either director or principal. They often made fun of her behind her back - which I found to be very childish and hurtful. If you have high school age children, THEY MUST BE IN AN ACCREDITED SCHOOL TO GO TO COLLEGE. I would like to see a full investigation by the State's investigator general before they pay any more funds to this place. Their business practices are very unethical and certainly warrant a full investigation by the authorities. If you have a special needs child, please check out Lake Silver Elementary. It's a wonderful environment and you can be assured your children will get the best possible care and education available to them. If they are middle school and high school age, I pray that you will contact the Orange County School Board and find our where your child can go. ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS - YOUR CHILD IS WORTH IT.

Hello Lilly thanks for saying what you said its correct and my friend Chad did get expelled and went to a much better school called: *NORTHSTAR HIGH SCHOOL* 8291 CURRY FORD ROAD ORLANDO, FL, 32822 PHONE:407 273 1188 FAX:407 277 3340 P.S. Your a brown nose, you really knew what went on...

I used to go to THA as everyone calls it for short. I went to this school for about 3 years I started in 8th grade. Every couple of months the teachers and staff would take all the middle and high school youth into the chapel and talk to them about controlling issues they had them with us. Miss Rethwisch would talk to us about inappropriate stuff that was happening in the parking lot at the back of the school and then she would talk to us about when she was a youth and how she inappropriate stuff. Adam Long knows this and I don't know why he said what he said. I know this kid, his name is Chad, he stayed a year after me and he got expelled because his mom knew too much about stuff that was going on there. Chad's mom worked there, she got the boot and so did he. He's disabled and they used him. The first year at THA was the best possible we filmed a movie, people got thrown threw walls and people played chess and drank coke and said people were losing it in this school. These times in Middle and High School are the Best cherish them they will last... PS. I think that hole is still there

Yeah, I have a friend who went to Teacher's Hands Academy during the 2003-2004 school year. Until about half way through the year when he was expelled, which then he was enrolled in my school. I asked him why ofcourse in complete disbelief, and this is what he told me... He told me about how is mother was on the school board. And that she was kicked off the board because she apparently found out just how much money was "Disappearing" from the schools funds. So with his mother kicked off the board, he was then expelled for absolutely no reason.Out of spite. But thats not all.I am also a former student of "THA", so I know what its like from the inside. Teachers Hand's Academy was, at first,was a great school. It was small, the staff were incredible,and the poulation was low. It quickly became a comfort zone for me. I attended the school for about 2 years (during 3 different school years). And what was once this awesome school with great people, semmed to get worse and worse every year. The school was becoming larger, making more money, and more students were coming in by the dozen. And at this point, it became less about the school and its students, and more about the money and the expansion of the school. "It got too big too fast" were my mom's exact words. Teacher's Hand's Academy is no longer even under the care of the 2 former directors,and ALL of its best teachers have left. I still have friends who attend there, and some of the things they tell me are just shocking. And Im not shocked easy. THA is no longer a good alternative to public school. However, if your a parent or a student seeking an alternative to THA consider this... *NORTHSTAR HIGH SCHOOL* 8291 CURRY FORD ROAD ORLANDO, FL, 32822 PHONE:407 273 1188 FAX:407 277 3340 Its an awesome school! I attend there myself. Its a small charter school with teachers who do actually care about the students. Its not a Christian school, but I assure you its a completely safe environment. P.S. Adam Long, your an idiot.

I NEITHER WORK AT THE SCHOOL NOR HAVE ANY CHILDREN WHO ATTEND THE SCHOOL . MY DAUHTER DID HOWEVER, ON SPRING BREAK GET TO SPEND A DAY AT THE SCHOOL (MY BEST FRIEND'S CHILDREN ATTEND THE SCHOOL). SHE LOVED THE SCHOOL THE TEACHER'S WERE VERY FRIENDLY AND SHE LIKED THE FACT THAT THERE WEREN'T AS MANY STUDENT IN THE CLASSROOM AS HER PUBLIC SCHOOL, SHE THOUGHT IT WAS" COOL".ALSO IN SOME OF THE CLASSROOMS THE TEACHER'S LOVE REFELECTED FLOWINGLY IN THE SETTINGS OF THE CLASSSROOMS SOMETHING YOU DON'T FIND IN JUST EVERY SCHOOL!THERE WAS ONE ROOM WITH A SETTING WERE READING TIME WOULD BE CONDUCTED AND IN THAT AREA YOU KNEW THAT TEACHER'S HEART AND SOUL WENT INTO MAKING READING TIME NOT ONLY COMFORTABLE BUT ALSO EXCITING. SOME OF THE CLASSROOMS ATMOSPHERE FLOW WITH THE DEDICATION OF LOVE ,THE TEACHER'S HAVE FOR TEACHING AND WANTING TO MAKE THE STUDENT'S FEEL SPECIAL.. MY DAUGHTER OFTEN AFTER HAS SAID SHE WOULD LOVE TO GO THERE, AND YOU KNOW WHO ARE THE BEST JUDGE OF CHARACTER'S? CHILDREN YOU KNOW WHY? BECAUSE THEY SPEAK FROM THE HEART.

I'm glad this whole thing is still making some sort of forward progress into letting parents whom are so heartily, consumed with having their children receive the appropriate educational care. This now is being known as a farce going on at this Teachers Hands Academy. First of all for a child to even find out that there is such a board where adults can go and look up bad businesses within this community strikes me as belonging to one of the owners of this establishment, and they all go to this school. They all know that there are kids being taught in old walk closet spaces and that the place used to be a restaurant and kids are taught in small, very small rooms, and the teachers are not certified to be teaching these children when their parents are expected to pay a great deal of money to have children attend this so called Christen Academy. I have no doubt that the two owners are godly, most people that walk the earth look a high-power for guidance, and they don't try to make money off it. Carry on with this rip-off report for BAD-BUSINESSES within the Orlando community.

I have to applaud Lilly for coming out with the truth! Let's talk about facts. It is a fact that these children are not recieving the proper supplies and education that the state is paying for. It is a fact that the building these children are learning in are unsuitable. It is a fact that most of the teachers and administration do not have a bachelor's degree much less a teaching certificate. It is a fact that failing students have been given passing grades either because of who they are related to or because of healthy checking accounts. It is also a fact that things not of God can prosper. Hence the reason THA has grown from 20 to 300 students. Parents- be warned that this is not a "Safe Place for a Child's Heart, Soul and Mind." Instead, it is a place where children and their parents are exploited, taken advantage of and lied to.

I am a former student of Teachers Hands Academy and am appalled that someone would actually write the remarks stated on a visble website like this for anyone to view. I am here to state and personally vouch for Carolyn Rethwisch and Michelle Nieves that they are two of the Godliest woemn I know and would NEVER rip-off anyone. I met Carolyn when she was a teacher at Conway Christian School (which is also a private christian school) I was in 6th Grade and she was my math and science teacher. I was struggling so bad in math and science but this woman never gave up on me.. I can remember time after time staying after with her and her tutoring me. That year was the first year I Ever remember making an "A" on a math test. After that Year me and her had a wondeful relationship. Well to make a long story short, I learned that she was going to pursue her dream and open a school to help children who like me struggled. When she first opened THA 5 years ago, there were about 15-20 students, and seemed that it would not work out. God made it work out through His sheer grace. I stayed with THA 7-10 Grade and EVERY YEAR made AB Honor Roll.. and contrary to what some people may think.. the teachers are GREAT.. they care about the students and really get involved with them. Yes.. there are some extra costs, but thats why its a PRIVATE school..I left in 11th Grade to go to Boone Highschool by my own influence and by God leading me.. it had nothing to do wth me needing to having to leave. THA changed my life. and so Did Carolyn and Michelle. Had it not been for them, I would probabaly failed 6th and 7th grade. In conclusion I just want to say that God is making this school work for a reason.. and I can personally vouch (having stayed with and known them) that they are not rich, not poor, but no where near rich. The only thing they are rich with is God, and the Holy Spirit. And I dont know where that Homsexuality part came in but Carolynn Rethwisch has 3 daughters.. And the reason Michelle and Carolynn stayed together is for convenience.. and as of now they both have separate homes. Trying To Help,

When I first heard this email was out there, I was horrified and certainly angry. Yet, I've had about an hour to digest some of it. The one thing I have learned in my ten plus years of education and in my growing walk with Christ is that people will say evil things no matter how hard you try. Teachers Hands Academy was opened four years ago to be a "safe place for a child's heart, soul, and mind." It was opened by two Christian women whose only intent was to fulfill a dream of opening a school where Christ could be the center. That school would have Christian teachers and a Christ-centered curriculum. It would individualize to meet the needs of both the gifted and the learning disabled student. In four short years, it has grown to almost 300 families. God has blessed it! To even begin to justify the comments made about myself or Michelle would be giving credance to wicked, slandering people. God knows our hearts and our lives. He sees in front of the doors and behind them. The only sad thing is this vile information is out on the public web where my children can read it! This letter was meant to hurt, but the people who could get hurt by it mean the world to me. As an adult, it's hard to digest. It makes us angry, it makes the people we call friends angry. To a child, it could be devastating! The school (like many other start-up facilities) is housed in a condominium style building. We have 12 classrooms, 9 offices, a cafeteria, and teacher work area in that building. We also have an additional 12,000 square feet of space in a 40,000 square foot building which houses a chemistry lab, computer lab, music suite, maintenance office, art room, and 10 additional classrooms. We are currently negotiating to purchase the entire building. We have a 1/2 acre playground with dirt, trees, grass and playground equipment. The parent board is working to add additional equipment to our new space. This is more than we've ever had. Our children use an above-grade level curriculum in every class. They are exposed to music education, computer, Spanish, physical education, home economics, art, and web design - to name a few! We have a student council, 4H clubs, Chess clubs, athletic teams, and dances. The most important thing, however, is that we are under state guidelines. Everything is under scrutiny from the parent board made up of 12 parents, the executive board made up of at least 6 members, HRS, Health Department, 4C, Fire Department, Zoning, Permiting, etc. You name it, we've been inspected by them. Never mind the Department of Education and their standards! Our children pay between $3,250 to $3650 a year for tuition. IF they have a learning disability, it could reach (at max) another $7,000. HOWEVER, in most cases, the state never pays that! The state of Florida is not just handing out money. It is only given if the services are provided. Those services include daily transportation, occupational therapy, speech therapy, behavior analysis, counselors, physical therapy, and behavior technicians. You can only bill if you provide the service. Then, you have to pay for that service! Students also have the option of bringing a lunch or purchasing a hot school lunch. That lunch costs $3.25 (standard for private schools). It is made by a woman who cooked for 13 years in the public school sector. MOST of our staff eats lunch here because it is that GREAT! However, it is optional - students can bring their own. We do charge for dances and field trips. My parents paid for the same when I was in public school. Any Christian school you go to will have those same charges. Most of our classes have less than ten students in them. The maximum we have is 12! Most of our Exceptional Student Education classes have both a teacher and a teacher's aide. If, by chance, the teacher does not show up - we can call a parent in as a substitute or we can let the teacher's aide teach the class. This is the same standard operating policy found in the Orange County Public School System! There was a question I found amusing. Where does all the money go to? Well, I can guarantee, we are not getting RICH in this business. That is not where are hearts are or where our treasure is - it's in heaven. This business, though it can be AWFUL at times, and though it can break your heart because of what people say, is our life's work. It will be misunderstood certainly, but I am learning we don't have to be the judge here on earth. God will take care of vengeful people. We do as teachers, staff, and administration what God calls us to do. We have a long list of families who love what we do. We are not going to be the school for every child his/her entire life, but we are used to be that place for children who need a little more - maybe more attention, more academic challenges, more or better therapies, etc. - when they need it most. This letter saddens me because we have this incredibly wonderful, talented staff we are surrounded by every day. We have parents who sacrifice their days and evenings off to help us be better than we are - and they get included in trash like this. There should be a website to mouth off, but it should also be able to judge whether the information shared is truth or just lies told by a disgruntled employee that has been recently terminated or by a parent who was recently asked to leave the school because of their lack of financial responsibility or their unChristlike behavior. We would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. From My Heart,

When I first heard this email was out there, I was horrified and certainly angry. Yet, I've had about an hour to digest some of it. The one thing I have learned in my ten plus years of education and in my growing walk with Christ is that people will say evil things no matter how hard you try. Teachers Hands Academy was opened four years ago to be a "safe place for a child's heart, soul, and mind." It was opened by two Christian women whose only intent was to fulfill a dream of opening a school where Christ could be the center. That school would have Christian teachers and a Christ-centered curriculum. It would individualize to meet the needs of both the gifted and the learning disabled student. In four short years, it has grown to almost 300 families. God has blessed it! To even begin to justify the comments made about myself or Michelle would be giving credance to wicked, slandering people. God knows our hearts and our lives. He sees in front of the doors and behind them. The only sad thing is this vile information is out on the public web where my children can read it! This letter was meant to hurt, but the people who could get hurt by it mean the world to me. As an adult, it's hard to digest. It makes us angry, it makes the people we call friends angry. To a child, it could be devastating! The school (like many other start-up facilities) is housed in a condominium style building. We have 12 classrooms, 9 offices, a cafeteria, and teacher work area in that building. We also have an additional 12,000 square feet of space in a 40,000 square foot building which houses a chemistry lab, computer lab, music suite, maintenance office, art room, and 10 additional classrooms. We are currently negotiating to purchase the entire building. We have a 1/2 acre playground with dirt, trees, grass and playground equipment. The parent board is working to add additional equipment to our new space. This is more than we've ever had. Our children use an above-grade level curriculum in every class. They are exposed to music education, computer, Spanish, physical education, home economics, art, and web design - to name a few! We have a student council, 4H clubs, Chess clubs, athletic teams, and dances. The most important thing, however, is that we are under state guidelines. Everything is under scrutiny from the parent board made up of 12 parents, the executive board made up of at least 6 members, HRS, Health Department, 4C, Fire Department, Zoning, Permiting, etc. You name it, we've been inspected by them. Never mind the Department of Education and their standards! Our children pay between $3,250 to $3650 a year for tuition. IF they have a learning disability, it could reach (at max) another $7,000. HOWEVER, in most cases, the state never pays that! The state of Florida is not just handing out money. It is only given if the services are provided. Those services include daily transportation, occupational therapy, speech therapy, behavior analysis, counselors, physical therapy, and behavior technicians. You can only bill if you provide the service. Then, you have to pay for that service! Students also have the option of bringing a lunch or purchasing a hot school lunch. That lunch costs $3.25 (standard for private schools). It is made by a woman who cooked for 13 years in the public school sector. MOST of our staff eats lunch here because it is that GREAT! However, it is optional - students can bring their own. We do charge for dances and field trips. My parents paid for the same when I was in public school. Any Christian school you go to will have those same charges. Most of our classes have less than ten students in them. The maximum we have is 12! Most of our Exceptional Student Education classes have both a teacher and a teacher's aide. If, by chance, the teacher does not show up - we can call a parent in as a substitute or we can let the teacher's aide teach the class. This is the same standard operating policy found in the Orange County Public School System! There was a question I found amusing. Where does all the money go to? Well, I can guarantee, we are not getting RICH in this business. That is not where are hearts are or where our treasure is - it's in heaven. This business, though it can be AWFUL at times, and though it can break your heart because of what people say, is our life's work. It will be misunderstood certainly, but I am learning we don't have to be the judge here on earth. God will take care of vengeful people. We do as teachers, staff, and administration what God calls us to do. We have a long list of families who love what we do. We are not going to be the school for every child his/her entire life, but we are used to be that place for children who need a little more - maybe more attention, more academic challenges, more or better therapies, etc. - when they need it most. This letter saddens me because we have this incredibly wonderful, talented staff we are surrounded by every day. We have parents who sacrifice their days and evenings off to help us be better than we are - and they get included in trash like this. There should be a website to mouth off, but it should also be able to judge whether the information shared is truth or just lies told by a disgruntled employee that has been recently terminated or by a parent who was recently asked to leave the school because of their lack of financial responsibility or their unChristlike behavior. We would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. From My Heart,

When I first heard this email was out there, I was horrified and certainly angry. Yet, I've had about an hour to digest some of it. The one thing I have learned in my ten plus years of education and in my growing walk with Christ is that people will say evil things no matter how hard you try. Teachers Hands Academy was opened four years ago to be a "safe place for a child's heart, soul, and mind." It was opened by two Christian women whose only intent was to fulfill a dream of opening a school where Christ could be the center. That school would have Christian teachers and a Christ-centered curriculum. It would individualize to meet the needs of both the gifted and the learning disabled student. In four short years, it has grown to almost 300 families. God has blessed it! To even begin to justify the comments made about myself or Michelle would be giving credance to wicked, slandering people. God knows our hearts and our lives. He sees in front of the doors and behind them. The only sad thing is this vile information is out on the public web where my children can read it! This letter was meant to hurt, but the people who could get hurt by it mean the world to me. As an adult, it's hard to digest. It makes us angry, it makes the people we call friends angry. To a child, it could be devastating! The school (like many other start-up facilities) is housed in a condominium style building. We have 12 classrooms, 9 offices, a cafeteria, and teacher work area in that building. We also have an additional 12,000 square feet of space in a 40,000 square foot building which houses a chemistry lab, computer lab, music suite, maintenance office, art room, and 10 additional classrooms. We are currently negotiating to purchase the entire building. We have a 1/2 acre playground with dirt, trees, grass and playground equipment. The parent board is working to add additional equipment to our new space. This is more than we've ever had. Our children use an above-grade level curriculum in every class. They are exposed to music education, computer, Spanish, physical education, home economics, art, and web design - to name a few! We have a student council, 4H clubs, Chess clubs, athletic teams, and dances. The most important thing, however, is that we are under state guidelines. Everything is under scrutiny from the parent board made up of 12 parents, the executive board made up of at least 6 members, HRS, Health Department, 4C, Fire Department, Zoning, Permiting, etc. You name it, we've been inspected by them. Never mind the Department of Education and their standards! Our children pay between $3,250 to $3650 a year for tuition. IF they have a learning disability, it could reach (at max) another $7,000. HOWEVER, in most cases, the state never pays that! The state of Florida is not just handing out money. It is only given if the services are provided. Those services include daily transportation, occupational therapy, speech therapy, behavior analysis, counselors, physical therapy, and behavior technicians. You can only bill if you provide the service. Then, you have to pay for that service! Students also have the option of bringing a lunch or purchasing a hot school lunch. That lunch costs $3.25 (standard for private schools). It is made by a woman who cooked for 13 years in the public school sector. MOST of our staff eats lunch here because it is that GREAT! However, it is optional - students can bring their own. We do charge for dances and field trips. My parents paid for the same when I was in public school. Any Christian school you go to will have those same charges. Most of our classes have less than ten students in them. The maximum we have is 12! Most of our Exceptional Student Education classes have both a teacher and a teacher's aide. If, by chance, the teacher does not show up - we can call a parent in as a substitute or we can let the teacher's aide teach the class. This is the same standard operating policy found in the Orange County Public School System! There was a question I found amusing. Where does all the money go to? Well, I can guarantee, we are not getting RICH in this business. That is not where are hearts are or where our treasure is - it's in heaven. This business, though it can be AWFUL at times, and though it can break your heart because of what people say, is our life's work. It will be misunderstood certainly, but I am learning we don't have to be the judge here on earth. God will take care of vengeful people. We do as teachers, staff, and administration what God calls us to do. We have a long list of families who love what we do. We are not going to be the school for every child his/her entire life, but we are used to be that place for children who need a little more - maybe more attention, more academic challenges, more or better therapies, etc. - when they need it most. This letter saddens me because we have this incredibly wonderful, talented staff we are surrounded by every day. We have parents who sacrifice their days and evenings off to help us be better than we are - and they get included in trash like this. There should be a website to mouth off, but it should also be able to judge whether the information shared is truth or just lies told by a disgruntled employee that has been recently terminated or by a parent who was recently asked to leave the school because of their lack of financial responsibility or their unChristlike behavior. We would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. From My Heart,