The Compass Rose Academy employs experienced, licensed professionals to provide students with individualized yet comprehensive care. Because of our staff, students receive the counseling, education, spiritual guidance and hands-on skills they need to succeed as individuals following the program.

Students work closely with therapeutic, administrative, academic, residential and admissions staff to make the most out of their time in our program. To better familiarize you with our team, please take some time to read their bios below.

Mike Haarer serves as both the Director for the Compass Rose Academy and a licensed mental health counselor. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree and Master of Arts degree in counseling from Grace College in Winona Lake, Ind. He married his wife Emily in 2006, who worked as a middle school math teacher at White’s until their daughter Corabelle Rose was born in 2011. Mike and Emily are originally from the Fort Wayne area and still enjoy spending time there with their families. They are actively involved in their local church in Wabash, where Mike leads worship and they host a small fellowship group.

Brad Wright is the campus chaplain. He graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Science degree in general studies with a concentration in biblical studies. He worked for White’s Residential & Family Services in the mid-1990s as a house parent for nearly five years, and returned in 2008 to serve as chaplain. He married his high school sweetheart in 1990, who has also worked for White’s as a case manager and is now a Probation Officer. They have two beautiful daughters, Tyler and Jaycie.

Jason Cordes is a teacher at the Compass Rose Academy Jr./Sr. High School. He graduated in 2005 from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in social studies education. He is pursuing his master’s degree and expects to graduate from Grace College in 2013. Jason has taught at White’s for two years. He and his wife Lindsay have two boys: Levi, 3, and Myles, 2 months. Jason enjoys any outdoor activity, particularly cycling, basketball and golf. With his family, Jason enjoys camping, participating in cycling events throughout the Midwest and especially taking bicycle cruises to the ice cream shop or playground. He is a member of The Chapel in Fort Wayne.

Bre-Ann Laypoole serves as a house parent and is responsible for a student’s day-to-day routine in the cottage. She graduated from the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics. She has experience in a number of ministry organizations such as the Baptist Collegiate Ministry, First Baptist White Hall youth group and Bible study at the Boys and Girls Club. She played soccer and softball for the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, where she lettered all four years in both sports, was a captain of the soccer team all four years and was a part of the 2009 and 2011 SWAC Championship soccer team. Bre-Ann made All Academics all four years in college.  She  also worked with the Missionary Athletes International soccer ministry called the Chicago Eagles, where she spent two summers using soccer as a tool to share Christ with children in the U.S. and Brazil.

Denae Green is the director of admissions and marketing for the Compass Rose Academy. She not only connects with parents during the admissions process, she also stays involved in each student’s life throughout their stay at Compass Rose. Her passion and love for sports, especially volleyball, earned her a full scholarship to play volleyball at DePaul University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in business management. After graduation she moved back to Wabash and accepted a position at White’s Residential & Family Services. Denae considers White’s, and now the Compass Rose Academy, her extended family as both her parents have worked at White’s for more than 35 years. She credits the many mentors and role models at White’s as people who have helped shape her into the person she is today. She is married to Lee Green, a local farmer and the state’s medical entomologist.

To learn more about additional members of our staff or to speak with Admissions Director Denae Green, please contact us.