Our Story

Thanks for joining us!

Our certified instructors have decades of real-life experience in…

  •   Education & the Arts
  • Basic & Advanced Life Support
  •   Self Defense
  •   Terrorism Awareness
  •   Safety & Security

Certified Instructors

Donna Ruggiero, Executive Director and Instructor

Hi and welcome to WWATS! Our story is one of years of molding and shaping and transformation! It’s one of trials and testing, perseverance, and patience- with lots of laughter and blessings along the way!

I grew up knowing I would be a teacher. My journey took me from college to owning my own performing arts school to founding a small, private school in my hometown neighborhood to this present endeavor. What a journey it has been! There really isn’t enough space to write about it here. One day I may write a book!

My desire is to assist my students in becoming life-long learners. I love teaching! I love when I see my students’ faces light up because THEY have discovered something new or something finally clicked! I see myself as a guide helping my students discover the gifts and passions that make them who they are, preparing them to make a difference in their environments and in the earth!

Thurston and I started working on the training workshops and classes during the time that School of Creative Arts (the school I opened in my neighborhood) was in operation. We had met during an outreach in the neighborhood and discovered we both shared the desire to see our neighbors, students, family, and friends be prepared for emergency situations. Thurston spent many hours preparing and imparting valuable knowledge and practice to our students at SOCA. HE is the expert in this area while I stick to the academic teaching and administration, and assistance with the emergency medical and emergency preparedness trainings!

I’m excited for this next step along the journey! Thanks for coming along with us! I hope to meet you all some day at one of our trainings either on-site or online!

Thurston D. Gill, Jr., Instructor Emergency Medical, Emergency Preparedness, Safety & Security

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