STAFF & VOLUNTEERSMeet Our Team

Ms. Wade has 19 years of experience working with youth and families in Mental Health, Probation, Parole, Substance Abuse, and Sexually Exploited Youth programs. She has a degree from the University of New Mexico with emphasis in Criminology & Family Studies.

Krista Nehib, LPC earned her MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Mercer University in Atlanta, Georgia. She has experience working with youth and families towards emotional healing, behavior modification, family restoration and resiliency.

Betty Frost is a compassionate Master Clinician Social Worker with 7 years of experience working with families & youth in a mental health setting. Ms. Frost has undergrad & master’s degrees in Social Work from Texas A&M University, with a minor in Psychology.

Bailey graduated from Grayson Paramedic School and plans to devote her medical career to caring and educating at-risk female youth. She is a compassionate and caring medical professional and has been employed with Monarch Academy since April of 2020.

Lee Ann provides employee services, has facility mgmt experience, and actively takes part with milieu events. If you would like to learn about employment opportunities through Rite of Passage, contact Lee Ann today!

Ms. Collins is a creative and innovative teacher for the Sherman Independent School District. She has a masters in Social Work, is a certified Special Education teacher, and has been working with at-risk youth since 2006.

Chef King is a Certified Executive Chef noted by his hospitality and radical culinary ingenuity. He currently owns Francaise Brise Fusion Restaurant located in Downtown Denison.

The UNR Cheer Team provides Monarch Academy with virtual cheer tutorials. Kim Anastassatos, Head Cheer Coach at UNR, believes in Rite of Passage’s mission, “Improving the lives of youth.”

Dr. Karen Mathis has worked with justice-involved youth for 28 years, focusing on unique mental health concerns. Dr. Mathis holds a BA in Social Work, two MS degrees in Clinical Psychology and Counseling Psychology, and a PhD in Clinical Psychology.

Mr. Morrow has 31 years of experience in the juvenile justice and mental health fields. He earned his Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Nevada, and has provided direction and critical oversight for the Rite of Passage programs since 1989.

Mr. Cantrell has developed key residential programming and therapeutic/clinical programs over the past 31 years. He served as Reg. Dir. for the FL Dept. of Juvenile Justice, and Exec. Admin. for the AZ Dept. of Youth Corrections before joining the ROP team in 2013.