Administration & Staff
Who We AreAll staff hired at JPGMA go through a rigorous vetting process. We strive to hire the best teachers in each area to work with the children at the Academy. Teaching is a vocation. The ability to work with multi age groups is both a great gift and responsibility. Each staff member is required to have a background check and is approved by the Head of School, Advisory Board, and Board of Directors.
I am Mary Zirkle, a Licensed Professional Counselor, and the Founder and Clinical Director of Two Hearts Catholic Counseling, a position I have held for twenty years. Two Hearts Catholic Counseling is a branch of the Winchester Community Mental Health Center, founded in Miami, Florida. Additionally, I am the Catholic Counselor of Sacred Heart Academy and Christendom College. As the Clinical Director of Winchester Community Mental Health Center, Inc. I am responsible for an integrative team of Medical Doctors, Psychiatric Behavioral Health Nurse Practitioners, Therapist, Social Workers, and pre-graduate students.
I earned a Master’s in Counseling from Florida International University in April of 2000. During the initial sixteen years of my career, I worked with Catholic couples. For the last four years, I have studied and served, almost exclusively, children who have suffered severe trauma.
I have been privileged to work with children, adolescents, couples, and families, faithful to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. As a counselor, working with God’s grace and faith-filled Christians is an honor, and a sure path to healing. Two Hearts Catholic Counseling is a ministry and gift, which I truly treasure.
Outside of the office, I am a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. I enjoy outside activities and family adventures. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this new and exciting journey with the staff of John Paul the Great Montessori Academy.