Administration & Staff

Who We Are

All 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.