FOUNDERS & DIRECTORS
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“There is nothing noble in being better than someone else; nobility comes in being better than your former self.” –Whitney Young
“What we learn with pleasure we never forget.” –Louis Mercier |
Dr. Heather Tracy, Ed.M., Ed.D.
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Mario Duran, LCP 1499 / Lic. Psych, MS in Substance Abuse Treatment.
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Mario has been working in residential settings in various capacities over the past two and a half decades, ranging from lead therapist to Clinical Director in both non-profit and private facilities, serving a variety of clients and families in multicultural settings. He has consulted for mental health and educational institutions, NGO’s and international organization and has published several articles and research reports on behavioral health, best practices and addiction.
Mario invests himself in mentoring our clinical team, building healthy relationships with students in the milieu, and supporting parents in their journey through parenting planning groups and workshops. He implements a relationship and solution-based approach in his clinical practice to guide people in matching their intentions with actions in meaningful and practical ways. He has lived in Costa Rica most of his life and has had the opportunity to also live in the United States and France. He is a proud husband and father and an enthusiast of spiritual teachings.
Mario invests himself in mentoring our clinical team, building healthy relationships with students in the milieu, and supporting parents in their journey through parenting planning groups and workshops. He implements a relationship and solution-based approach in his clinical practice to guide people in matching their intentions with actions in meaningful and practical ways. He has lived in Costa Rica most of his life and has had the opportunity to also live in the United States and France. He is a proud husband and father and an enthusiast of spiritual teachings.
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Andy Myers, BS
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Andy’s work is his passion. He views his work with adolescents as a unique opportunity to positively impact the future of our global community. Andy speaks fluent Spanish and has traveled extensively throughout Latin America, experiencing the warmth of the Costa Rican culture first-hand. He holds a position on the Board of Costa Rica Rainforest Outward Bound, overseeing safety of their courses in Costa Rica. As Experiential Education Director of New Summit Academy, Andy organizes on and off campus recreation activities, “Aventuras”, organized sports and cultural immersion opportunities.
“I believe that education is a process of living and not a preparation for future living.” –John Dewey, from a pamphlet published by E.L. Kellogg and Co.(1897)
“I believe that education is a process of living and not a preparation for future living.” –John Dewey, from a pamphlet published by E.L. Kellogg and Co.(1897)
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Martin Naffziger, BA Creative Writing and English Literature, M.Ed. Global Studies in Education
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While with New Summit Academy, Martin has earned his M.Ed. in Global Studies in Education from the University of Illinois, and earned his graduate certificate in college counseling from UCLA. Travel, the outdoors, culture, and education continue to be driving passions in Martin’s life, and he takes great pride in applying these passions to guiding and building an unrivaled Academic program at NSA.
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James Woody, BS, 9-12 Math Teacher
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Most recently, James took on a more influential role at The Bridge Supportive Gap Community Program for young adults where he serves as both an administrator and mentor to the young men participating in a gap year experience. He helps organize, teach, and mentor… all with a smile on his face!
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Dr. Danny Recio, MA, PhD, Therapist & Program Director of The Bridge supportive gap community.
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Danny has been guiding young men since New Summit Academy was born, in January 2005, and is passionate about being part of the ever-evolving, collaborative, living being that the NSA community is. Simultaneously, Danny has recently completed a doctorate degree in Integrated Ecology, researching the impact of combining experiences in natural environments with mindfulness skills for the improvement of mood and creativity in adolescents. He has been applying these studies in his work developing and implementing the S2S Bridge Program since early 2012.
Danny lived for a year in Cape Town, South Africa as an exchange student, and has shared significant periods of his life with people from very diverse cultures. These experiences have sparked a strong interest for cross-cultural experiences and their influence in the identity development process. Another big interest for Danny is surfing; he finds both peace and excitement doing it, and loves sharing this sport with the NSA students. These, and many other human moments, are the main substance, from Danny’s perspective, for his therapy work and the student’s personal growth. Guiding students to find true meaning in and congruence between their relationships, goals, values, and identity is Danny’s aim in his work and relationship with them.
But above all these interests and experiences, Danny treasures most being a parent, husband and family member. At the end of the day, all Danny wants is a playful good laugh with his family.
Danny lived for a year in Cape Town, South Africa as an exchange student, and has shared significant periods of his life with people from very diverse cultures. These experiences have sparked a strong interest for cross-cultural experiences and their influence in the identity development process. Another big interest for Danny is surfing; he finds both peace and excitement doing it, and loves sharing this sport with the NSA students. These, and many other human moments, are the main substance, from Danny’s perspective, for his therapy work and the student’s personal growth. Guiding students to find true meaning in and congruence between their relationships, goals, values, and identity is Danny’s aim in his work and relationship with them.
But above all these interests and experiences, Danny treasures most being a parent, husband and family member. At the end of the day, all Danny wants is a playful good laugh with his family.
