Administrative & Education Team

Welcome to Puzzle Box Academy!

Selecting the right school and environment for your child is one of a parent’s most important decisions. Your decision will profoundly influence your child for years to come. Puzzle Box Academy serves exceptional and developmentally delayed children (currently Pre-K through 6th grade). The academy offers customized comprehensive educational, therapeutic, and academic plans, integrating proven research-based therapeutic strategies into every learning task.

Our academic programs are student-centered with a special emphasis on building solid foundations, engaging students in the learning process, providing avenues of creativity, and developing students through small teacher/student ratios (5:1). Hands-on, minds-on activities lead students to high levels of thinking and application.

Puzzle Box Academy is unique from the public-school setting because it offers year-round school and additional therapies (occupational, language, art, behavior, social cognition, daily living practice, and peer buddies). There is no other model like Puzzle Box in the state of Florida. We believe in developing a well-rounded student, and we put it into practice. Our program provides opportunities for students to build skills beginning in Pre-K and continuing through 6th grade.

Puzzle Box Academy believes that all students affected by developmental delays and exceptional circumstances can reach their fullest potential through an education centered in both a structural and playful environment. Each child’s particular strengths and challenges are constantly assessed to direct the child’s teachers to select the best teaching methods.
Moreover, Puzzle Box Academy maintains that all students learn with greater ease when their natural interests and affinities are honored throughout the school day.

We have an incredible staff and a fantastic student body. Our teachers and parents value education and support the school with their time and talents.

Our mission is to convey the warmth and enthusiasm of our dynamic community of students, teachers, staff, and parents in a learning environment that we, Puzzle Box Academy, are proud to offer.

Sincerely,
Pamela Furr, Founder

Pamela Furr
Founder

Pamela Furr is the co-founder of Puzzle Box Academy and Kaleidoscope Interventions. Furr is a seasoned and committed educator and a business manager with a degree in early childhood education. She also holds licensure by Florida as a voluntary pre-kindergarten instructor and facilitator.

Pamela’s credentials also include a Director’s Credential by the State of Florida and the Department of Children and Family Services, attesting to her skills and knowledge in the operation and management of early care and education facilities.
As a former licensed insurance agent and adjuster, Pamela is well-versed in the reimbursement of insurance plans regarding child therapy services.

In 2007, Pamela left the finance and insurance industry when her son was diagnosed with autism. Since then, she has dedicated her life to the education and early intervention treatment of children with autism and to support their families. Furr has worked tirelessly over the past eight years to bring intensive therapy to the community at an affordable price. As founder and CEO of Puzzle Box Academy at Puzzle Box Academy, she makes affordable, high-quality education for exceptional children across Brevard County.

Pamela also currently serves as an official member of the Forbes Business Council based on the depth and diversity of her business experience.

Stephanie Furr is an enthusiastic business professional and dynamic program manager who brings her passion for service to her role as Chief Operating Officer at Puzzle Box Academy.

In Melbourne, FL, Stephanie Furr holds a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in business management. She also brings over 25 years of experience in business management to Puzzle Box Academy.

Motivated and inspired by the drive to contribute to the cultivation and growth of the thriving business community, Stephanie excels in budget management, business development, profit maximization, strategic planning and analysis, and process improvements.

Throughout her career, Stephanie has had the honor of serving several esteemed organizations and firms. Before her employment with Puzzle Box Academy, she worked with Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, DigitalNet, and the Department of Homeland Security. Presently, Stephanie serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Puzzle Box Academy and Kaleidoscope Interventions overseeing the company’s operations and administration. As a professional, she aims to grow continually and strives to nurture the progressive business growth of companies through her extensive experience and business insight.

Today, Stephanie uses her talents as part of Puzzle Box Academy and Kaleidoscope Interventions, where she is passionate about cultivating the constructive academic and social growth of exceptional children.

As a business manager, Stephanie has enjoyed a long and successful career, earning her recognition from the diversified business community. She had been awarded numerous certificates of appreciation and had won multiple Lockheed Martin INS Stars Lightning Awards and BAE Systems Silver and Bronze Awards. From 2002 through 2014 and on six separate occasions, Stephanie also received esteemed DHS Awards from the Deputy Director and Commissioner of the Department of Homeland Security.

Outside of work, Stephanie cherishes time with her family, especially her two wonderful children. She aims to serve as a role model for her children and helps them nurture the skills and attributes needed to succeed in today’s world. She counts her family as her biggest source of inspiration.

Dr. Manuel “Manny” Rodriguez’s career includes business consulting, implementing strategic initiatives for companies in the Fortune 500, and educating practitioners and leaders across the globe on the power of behavior science applied to business.

Manny has worked as an external consultant, led strategic initiatives as a senior manager and executive and launched several startup organizations as part of his work with Bueno Ventures, the firm he co founded in 2019. Manny currently holds the position of Head Master of Legacy High School and Executive Team Member at Puzzle Box Academy in Melbourne, Florida. Manny has been invited as a keynote speaker at several national and international conferences and has authored articles on the subject of Organizational Behavior Management (OBM), leadership. performance management, safety and ethics. Manny co-authored the four volume book “OBM Applied!,” co authored with Dr. Paul Gavoni the book “Quick Wins!” co authored with Dr. Natalie Parks the book “OBM Entrepreneur,” and most recently published as the sole author the book “Organizational Behavior Management: A Practitioners Guide to Making a Positive Difference.” Manny continues to provide direct consultation to small and large businesses, teaches university coursework, and presents continuing education courses often.

Manny received a dual bachelor’s degree from Florida State University, a Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis at the Florida Institute of Technology, and his Doctorate of Business Administration from the University of South Florida’s MUMA College of Business. When he is not working, Manny enjoys his family time with his 5 children, wife, and their 2 dogs.

Mrs. Tracey Duharte assumed the position of Academic Director at Puzzle Box Academy in February 2022. As a seasoned educator with over 20 years of experience in academia and the teaching profession, she is well-versed in academic programming and the challenges students face in reaching their academic goals.

Tracey has worked with Puzzle Box Academy since 2016, enriching the lives of hundreds of students with her knowledge and compassion. Her areas of specialty include early childhood development, the Morningside Model of Generative Instruction (MMGI), and directing educational facilities.

In her work with Puzzle Box Academy, Tracey has held several academic positions at various levels. She has worked as a resource teacher, preschool teacher, K-8 teacher, MMGI mentor and trainer, academic program specialist, and vice principal before assuming her current role as academic director. Her expertise in academia makes her a perfect fit for Puzzle Box Academy.

Tracey’s educational background includes an earned associate’s degree in early childhood development and a bachelor’s degree in social science and elementary education. Tracey is also state certified as a Pre-K through third grade and ESE K-12 teacher. During the summer of 2021, she spent a month in Seattle, Washington, learning and mastering the MMGI model from the creators of Morningside.

Tracey is a native of New Jersey and moved to the state of Florida in 1992. She has been married for 20 years and is the mother of three boys. Now that her sons are adults, she enjoys working with Puzzle Box Academy students as every child is an extension of her own family.