About Us

With years of experience in education, the School Care Team works alongside schools and community partners to nurture cultures of care. In schools, we support student well-being through responsive training and strategic coaching. During the 2023-24 school year, the team provided nearly 32,000 students experiences in 15 counties, 24 districts, and 71 schools. In the community, we foster belonging and hope with the clients we collaborate with, creating connections within their workplace, community, or home environments, ultimately trickling down to the youth in their lives.

Meet The Team

After 30 years of learning about child development and educational pedagogy, this is what I know for sure; in order to thrive, children need trusted adults to believe in their potential. The impact we have on young minds is profound, and that is a huge responsibility that can feel overwhelming. When we work together to create cultures of care, we are reminded that even the smallest effort to connect can help a child learn to believe in themselves.

Heather Miller

Founder & CEO

I value the opportunity to make and build relationships. I am passionate about educating and advocating for students and adults and the importance of focusing on their mental health.

I am intrigued by behaviors and processes that allow for brainstorming and collaboration.

Gina Courtois

Chief Operations Officer

We know that relationship with supportive adults are incredibly protective for young people, regardless of their circumstances and past experiences. We know that young people long to belong. We know that modeling the behaviors we expect is not only an effective approach, it is our obligation. Recent advances in educational neuroscience allow us to know better. This is our chance to do better.

Tina Wooldridge

Sr. Director of Research and Development

Suicide prevention is near and dear to my heart. As a person with lived experience, I use my knowledge to help individuals who struggle with life's obstacles and help them realize that these struggles are temporary and can be overcome. Impacting as little as one individual means I have made a difference and, to me, that is an invaluable experience.

Shane Presley

Senior Program Director

After struggling with my own health and overall wellness through the years, it is my passion to take what I have learned, experiences I've gleaned from, education I've gained and help others in their journey toward Wellness. I have enjoyed over twenty years of youth focused work including coaching, teaching, preschool care, teen advising, and youth program development. I also have a background in substance use management services and have worked in the health and wellness industry for 20+ years.

Shannon Tenney

Program Director

Over the 20 years I spent as a classroom teacher, I realized that my real mission in life was helping to heal people who were hurting. I've been very close to people struggling with addiction and mental illness. I feel passionate about letting people know they are not alone. Our children are our greatest natural resource, and our teachers are not only tasked with shaping young minds but protecting young hearts. Supporting teachers and students is one of the most important things we can do!

Lani Kieft

Program Manager

I have had to navigate through my own mental health journey over the years as well as those in my immediate family. Through this experience, I have grown a passion for helping others navigate life's challenges as well as helping to reduce the stigma around mental health. I desire to see the conversation around mental health become more prevalent in families and schools throughout our communities.

Phil Amburgey

Program Specialist

I’m excited about connecting children and adults with resources for improving their mental health and well-being. I have personally experienced depression and lost a loved one to suicide. I relied heavily on my friends, family, mentors, teachers, and many others to find hope and strength to get through the dark times. I believe that working with the School Care Team gives me an excellent opportunity to help others with similar struggles. I envision communities where mental health and emotions aren't as stigmatized, and we have a safe place to talk about them and strategize healthy coping tools.

Andrew Northrop

Program Specialist

I am dedicated to building supportive environments for young people and all who work with them. My vision for the future is a world where emotional well-being is openly discussed, compassionately managed, and recognized as fundamental to success.

Rebekah Enzler

Program Specialist

I hope to make an impact and make the community a safer place for the youth so that they may have the opportunity to speak up and have their voices heard. I want youth to be able to have someone or something to go to when they are in a place where they may be struggling. In the process of wanting to make the community a safer place, the plan is to also connect with the adults in the community so that they may know what to do when a child or youth comes to them for guidance.

Isabel Arredondo

Communication Specialist