Directors
Marty Webb, Ed.D.
Executive Director
Head of School
Director of Replication
Dr. Webb received her Ed.D. in private school leadership from The University of San Francisco in 1991. She holds a B.S. in special education from the University of Michigan and a M.Ed. in educational administration from Houston Baptist University. She has been a special education teacher, early childhood teacher, private tutor and a private school principal. From 1980-1997, she was the principal of Corpus Christi Catholic School, which earned the United States Department of Education Blue Ribbon School award under her leadership. Dr. Webb has also been honored as a distinguished principal by the National Society of Elementary School Principals.
In 1997, Dr. Webb founded what eventually became The Monarch Institute and has served as Executive Director since that time. The Institute is Dr. Webb’s greatest professional challenge and adventure, and she is grateful for all the educational settings and persons in her life who prepared her to undertake this remarkable endeavor. One of her greatest professional joys is identifying, encouraging and mentoring others to step into positions of leadership at schools in which she is the Chief Learner.
Dr. Webb and her husband Eugene, a psychotherapist and author of seven books, are parents to four adult children and grandparents to 15 grandchildren—and enjoy nothing more than being with them. In addition, she enjoys travel, camping, hiking, exercise, reading and keeping up with advances in technology.
Neal Sarahan, Ph.D.
Program Director for The Monarch School (Challenger/Voyager Levels)
Director of Transitional and Residential Services
Dr. Sarahan received a Ph.D. in Applied Developmental Psychology from The Union Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio. He holds a B.A. in Urban Government from Georgetown University and a M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education from Antioch University. He has represented mayors as a political lobbyist and held teaching positions at the early childhood, elementary, high school and university levels. He has launched residential and transitional services programs in several settings and served as an educational consultant for numerous school districts and families. In coordination with the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, he organized a Houston metropolitan consortium to enhance curriculum and structured teaching settings for students with autism, training more than 200 teachers at 60 schools.
In the Challenger and Voyager levels of the Monarch program, Dr. Sarahan leads a team that supports growth for learners in academic, therapeutic, residential and career-related development. He is a co-creator of The Monarch Institute’s levels-based, objectives-driven operating system. Dr. Sarahan loves serving as an advocate, educator, coach, interpreter, spokesperson and program designer for learners with neurological differences—on their road toward competence and contribution.
Debrah Hall, Ph.D.
Program Director for The Monarch School (Novice/Apprentice Levels)
Dr. Hall received a B.S. in Psychology (cum laude) and a M.Ed. in Educational Psychology from the University of Houston. She completed her doctoral work at Union Institute and University, where her research focused on objectives-based education for improving executive functions in children with neurological deficits.
A native Houstonian, she has been an advocate for children’s mental health issues for more than 20 years and was appointed to the Mental Health and Mental Retardation Authority of Harris County, where she served a two-year term. She currently serves as Vice President of the International Mind, Brain and Education Society and is a professional representative to the Asperger syndrome Parent-Professional Information Exchange (ASPIE) of Houston. She helped start the Houston Regional DIR/Floortime™ network and is collaborating with several organizations on the application of research-based methodology on individuals with neurological differences. She also serves as President of Pasadena Cottages, a residential program for adults with autism. She is passionate about helping children reach their full potential and feels very fortunate to have found The Monarch Institute, where innovative, learner-centered education is honored and respected.
She is the proud mother of two outstanding individuals, Meredith and Whitney, and enjoys spending time with them whenever she can.
Bryant Shaw, Ph.D.
Director of Diagnostic Clinic
Dr. Shaw received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Jackson State University, an APA-accredited training program with a multicultural emphasis and a strong experiential learning component. Clinical psychology residency at the University of Texas Medical School—Houston brought him to Texas in 1999. After completion of residency requirements, Dr. Shaw remained at UT Medical School—Houston, where he worked to support and extend research in the areas of brain development and functioning in persons with autism and other developmental disorders.
Dr. Shaw’s career in clinical psychology and research has focused on children and adults with developmental and neurological differences since the mid 1980’s, with particular emphasis on autistic spectrum disorders, attention deficit disorders, learning differences, relationship development and methods for enhancing self-regulation.
John Barone, M.A.
Director of Training Center
Director of Communications
Mr. Barone received his B.A. in Education from the University of St. Thomas and his M.A. in Private School Administration from the University of San Francisco, graduating summa cum laude from both universities. He has an extensive background in adolescent development, workshop facilitation and teaching—having served as a teacher, youth minister and school administrator in Catholic schools and churches for 20 years prior to The Monarch Institute.
The Institute has offered an incredible learning experience for Mr. Barone and has had a significant impact on his philosophy and methodology of teaching. In the roles of teacher, Director of the Learning Center and currently as Director of Communications, he has worked to further The Monarch Institute’s mission of innovation through the facilitation of exciting new programming—including retreats, workshops, seminars and Monarch Minutes, a radio program about neurological differences.
Mr. Barone has a passion for helping religious communities modify their environment, curriculum and teaching styles in order to be more inclusive of youth with special needs. He is the author of The Monarch Institute’s first published book, “A Place for All: Ministry for Youth with Special Needs.”
Kipp Baxter
Director of Development
Ms. Baxter holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Louisiana State University. Prior to joining the team at The Monarch Institute, she served as Director of Corporate Relations for the American Diabetes Association and worked in the financial industry. Her board affiliations have included Da Camera of Houston, Houston Grand Opera, Bering Omega and Moore’s School of Music. Ms. Baxter and her husband Harry have lived in Houston Heights for many years. They enjoy traveling, fishing and are sports enthusiasts.
Audrey Omenson, M.A., LPC-I
Director of Admissions
Ms. Omenson has worked with children, adolescents and families for more than six years. She received her Master’s in Psychology from Houston Baptist University. While completing her graduate degree, she interned here at The Monarch School and loved its unique environment. Now, as Director of Admissions, Ms. Omenson loves sharing her excitement with others, inviting families into a supportive environment and being part of the Monarch community.
She enjoys attending concerts, running, painting, reading and drinking coffee—all of which are made even better when shared with her friends and family.
Sharon Duval, M.A., CCC/SLP, DIR® Facilitator
Director of DIR®Therapy Services
Ms. Duval is a certified speech/language pathologist who has worked the past 20 years primarily with children with neurological differences. She received her certification in the DIR® model in 2007. Her therapy techniques incorporate using spontaneous interaction to help children strengthen functional developmental levels while being sensitive to sensory processing differences, and building relationships with children and their families. Ms. Duval works with students enrolled at The Monarch Institute and clients from the community.
The DIR® Model was developed by the late Stanley Greenspan, M.D., and Serena Wieder, Ph.D., and focuses on helping the child become a thinker and problem solver. Both Dr. Greenspan and Dr. Wieder spent time coaching Ms. Duval during her training process. She is excited about being able to integrate the DIR® model into the important work that is happening at The Monarch Institute, and being able to reach more children and families.
Jennifer Arnold, M.B.A., MACC
Business Manager
Ms. Arnold received her MACC from Florida Atlantic University in 2005 and her MBA from American University in Washington, D.C. in 1995. She also holds a BBA from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX, with a double major in Business and a minor in Psychology. Although she is a native Houstonian, Ms. Arnold lived in Washington, D.C. for eight years, where she worked in the corporate, government and non-profit arenas.
Kyle Nguyen
Director of Technology and Webmaster
Mr. Nguyen is a graduate of The University of Houston, with a B.A. in Management Information Systems and a minor in International Business. He joined the Monarch family in September of 2000. He has worked for large organizations such as the Houston Chronicle and in call centers for Compaq computers, but finds working for Monarch the most rewarding. Mr. Nguyen believes the integration of technology and education is a vital factor in many students’ academic success.
The John M. O’Quinn Foundation Donates $5 Million for New Campus to The Monarch Institute for Neurological Differences!