Hi, I'm Mrs. Merida, a licensed school counselor at George Washington Academy. I began my counseling career at GWA in January 2019 and have loved getting to the know the students and their families! I graduated from the University of Utah with my Master of Educational Psychology degree and have my state license in school counseling. I've had the opportunity to work with people and children from all walks of life for over 15 years in the field of social services. The reason I decided to make a career change was because I wanted to work in the area of prevention. I truly believe that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Our children are our greatest asset and there is so much we can do as educators and parents to ensure they have opportunities to reach their potential and become contributing adults who have the necessary social and emotional skills to be successful and happy. Email is the best way to contact me. Email: [email protected]
Brynn Bell is passionate about mental health therapy and applied behavior analysis (ABA) and has worked with children and adults on skill-building and self-management for over 16 years. She loves to work with the family, educational, and treatment team to help children succeed using a whole-person approach. Brynn is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She has specialized experience working with Autism, ADHD, ODD, and children with difficult behavior. Her clinical approach is solution-focused and cognitive behavioral and she loves to incorporate play, art, and the child’s individual interests into the sessions. Brynn loves living in Southern Utah and enjoys hiking, boating, and biking with her husband and four children. Brynn is a singer and loves community theater. Email: [email protected]
Kristine Staples - School Counselor
My name is Kristine Staples and I am a Clinical Social Worker and School Counselor at GWA. I have lived in St. George and surrounding areas for most of my life. I earned a Bachelor of Science from Utah State University, and a Master of Social Work from the University of Denver. I married a handsome mailman and together we have 3 children. I enjoy spending time with my family traveling, camping, and riding ATVs. I love butterflies but have a fear of fish. I love working with children and I am excited to be at George Washington Academy. Email:[email protected]
Emily Winona - School Counseling Intern
Hi, I'm Emily Winona and I'm a school counseling intern at GWA! My background is in behavior and psychology, but I knew I belonged in an educational setting when I started working as a behavior specialist at GWA in 2021. I am currently earning a Master of Educational Psychology degree with an emphasis in school counseling from the University of Utah and plan to graduate as a licensed school counselor in 2025. I am passionate about prevention and systems that work to support all students in feeling seen, loved, and needed. When I'm not at school I'm usually outside, reading, sewing, writing, or drawing.
email: [email protected]
email: [email protected]
Meredith Harward - Wellness Center Specialist
My name is Meredith Harward and I am the Wellness Center Specialist at GWA. I have found so much joy here helping students regulate their emotions as they learn that they don't need to be scared of them. Before I joined this amazing counseling team, I worked with at-risk youth in a residential treatment center. I obtained my bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University-Idaho where I studied Marriage and Family with an emphasis in human services. In my free time, I love spending time with my husband and three daughters.
email: [email protected]
email: [email protected]