My name is Heather and I have a wide variety of educational experiences that I bring to Innovations Academy. I began my work with students while I was still in high school myself by assisting my own mother in directing and choreographing musical theater productions at an elementary school and helping instruct my father’s high school color guard.
I received a Bachelor’s in Music education and performance from Eastern Illinois University and taught music and PE to TPK- 8th grade students at Assumption Catholic School in Jacksonville, FL for 13 years. During my time there, I also served on the school accreditation team, coached cheerleading and directed chorus and numerous musical theater productions. Through this experience I learned that my number one love was building relationships with students and families. This drove me to begin a Master’s Degree in School Counseling. I graduated from the University of North Florida in 2018 receiving the distinction of an Emerging Leader from the American School Counselor’s Association.
I served as a middle school counselor for Mayport Coastal Sciences Middle School for 8 years. As a school counselor, I participated in the School Leadership Team and developed several student leadership programs. I was the sponsor for the National Junior Honors Society and was selected to participate in the creation of a district wide school counseling curriculum for Duval County Public Schools. After school hours, I coached cross country and track and developed a staff and student wellness program that incorporated my love of yoga and mindful meditation.
My husband, Brian and I moved to San Diego under Naval orders in February where he currently serves as a Senior Chief Electronics Technician in the Mobile Communications Platoon for the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit One based in Coronado.
I am a member of the California Association of School Counselors. I continue to strive for excellence through continued professional development and connection with other professionals in the area. I am very excited to belong to a school family that supports student development and encourages character growth alongside academics, building a child’s skills for success and well-being in all aspects of life. Thank you for welcoming me.
