Opa's Learning Academy

Virginia Wells is the Co-Founder and CEO of Opa's Learning Academy, a vision born from both her professional experience in healthcare and her deep commitment to her family and community.

Virginia spent 15 years at Prisma Health as a Cardiovascular Sonographer, where she developed a strong foundation in patient care, attention to detail, advocacy, and compassion. Her career in the medical field taught her the importance of seeing the whole person—not simply a diagnosis or a set of circumstances.

As the needs and demands of her growing family changed, Virginia made the intentional decision to step away from her professional career to focus on caring for her boys. What began as a season devoted to motherhood ultimately became the beginning of a much larger vision.

During this time, Virginia recognized a need within the Columbia community for an educational environment where children with exceptional needs could truly belong, grow, learn, and thrive. She began taking on what many would consider a daunting task: creating an inclusive school built around the belief that children should never have to change who they are in order to be valued, respected, and loved.

That vision became Opa's Learning Academy.

Virginia brings to OLA the perspective of a healthcare professional, the heart of a mother, and the determination of a community advocate. She is passionate about building a school where children are seen as whole individuals, families are welcomed as essential partners, and every child is given the opportunity to discover their strengths and reach their potential.

For Virginia, Opa's Learning Academy is more than a school—it is a reflection of a deeply held belief that every child is worthy, every family deserves to be supported, and every child deserves a place where they can belong and thrive.

Ashley Bubar brings a deep passion for children, a fierce commitment to inclusion, and a belief that every child deserves to be seen, valued, understood, and supported. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Multi-Categorical Special Education from Columbia College, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude and was selected as the Special Education Major of the Year.

Ashley has extensive experience working with students with diverse academic, communication, behavioral, social-emotional, and adaptive needs. As a lead special education teacher, she has developed individualized learning plans, implemented evidence-based and differentiated instruction, incorporated assistive technology, and worked closely with families and multidisciplinary teams to support meaningful student growth.

Beyond the classroom, Ashley has served as both a mentor and guest speaker for future special education educators at Columbia College, sharing her knowledge, experience, and passion for creating supportive and inclusive learning environments. Her previous experience in corporate training and adoption coordination has also strengthened her ability to communicate, collaborate, advocate, and build meaningful relationships with families.

At Opa's Learning Academy, Ashley is committed to creating a space where children can learn and grow without having to change who they are to belong. She believes every child is worthy, every child is capable of learning, and every child deserves to be valued beyond a diagnosis or challenge. Her greatest goal is to help children recognize their own strengths while ensuring that families feel heard, respected, and genuinely supported along the way.