FOUNDERS & DIRECTORS
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Dr. Heather Tracy, Ed.M., Ed.D.
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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 |
Previously, Dr. Tracy researched Math and English support programs for the MCAS in Boston Public Schools, taught English as a Second Language to teenagers and adults, taught college reading and writing courses to study abroad students, and served one year as a volunteer English teacher in the Costa Rican public school system through World Teach Costa Rica.
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Being a part of the founding team of New Summit Academy in 2004 has been the highlight of her career, and she feels blessed to be able to be a part of the team creating innovative, holistic, and quality education for unique young men. Her goal is to effectively lead the facilitation of a healthy learning environment that helps students develop an authentic passion for learning as well as enhance traditional skills needed for self-sufficiency and college in unique, interesting ways that are attractive to each student’s particular learning strengths. With engagement in activities that develop teen brains, minds, bodies, and spirits inside and outside the classroom, students are able to showcase their learning strengths, improve their learning weaknesses, earn confidence and curiosity for learning, and produce work that lives up to their potential.
She is tri-lingual (English, Spanish, and French), studied abroad in France for one year, backpacked all over Europe, and has lived in Costa Rica since January 2002. In her free time (free time?), she loves to travel, dance, read nerdy books, eat good food, and take care of the various pets that seem to keep showing up at her doorstep.
She is tri-lingual (English, Spanish, and French), studied abroad in France for one year, backpacked all over Europe, and has lived in Costa Rica since January 2002. In her free time (free time?), she loves to travel, dance, read nerdy books, eat good food, and take care of the various pets that seem to keep showing up at her doorstep.
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Mario Duran, LCP 1499 / Lic. Psych, MS in Substance Abuse Treatment.
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Mario has a lot of experience, having served as clinical coordinator at Villa San Jose, a drug and alcohol treatment center. Prior to that, he was the Executive Director of the Vida y Sociedad Foundation , a non-profit foundation dedicated to providing substance abuse prevention programs to elementary and secondary schools throughout Costa Rica. 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. Prior to NSA, Mario was the Clinical Director at Coronado Academy a therapeutic boarding school serving adolescent boys and girls.
Mario invests himself in building healthy relationships with students by interacting with them in our milieu, creating opportunities to model patience, sensitivity and empathy. He also believes in helping adolescents boys become respectful, tolerant and responsible young men by providing mentorship and constant support. Mario uses a strength based approach in therapy and believes in finding opportunities instead of threats when it comes to family dynamics and change.
Mario 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 he enjoys mountain biking, nature, and indoor soccer.
Mario invests himself in building healthy relationships with students by interacting with them in our milieu, creating opportunities to model patience, sensitivity and empathy. He also believes in helping adolescents boys become respectful, tolerant and responsible young men by providing mentorship and constant support. Mario uses a strength based approach in therapy and believes in finding opportunities instead of threats when it comes to family dynamics and change.
Mario 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 he enjoys mountain biking, nature, and indoor soccer.
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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, M.Ed.
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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 in 2012.
Travel, 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 program at NSA.
Travel, 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 program at NSA.
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Kelly Weld, MA, MFT, Lic. Therapist / Case Manager,
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As an educator, Kelly designed and implemented curriculum with a focus on personal growth and global citizenship. She taught and provided counseling at a school with an international traveling program that led trips to Peru, South Africa, The Philippines, China, Turkey, etc. “Though cultural norms do vary across the globe”, she says, “the fundamental needs of humans are the same. We all want safety, purpose, community, and respect”.
Kelly is a life-long learner herself. Her hobbies include camping, sailing, running, and writing. Mostly, she loves to learn. She is working on her Spanish fluency, surfing, and playing the guitar. Kelly is grateful to be a member of the NSA community and is excited to be living in Costa Rica!
Kelly is a life-long learner herself. Her hobbies include camping, sailing, running, and writing. Mostly, she loves to learn. She is working on her Spanish fluency, surfing, and playing the guitar. Kelly is grateful to be a member of the NSA community and is excited to be living in Costa Rica!
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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.