Hello, my name is Kara Ashcraft and I am excited to be starting my 5th year here at Kyrene de los Ninos and my 8th year in Kyrene. I am a former 'Kyrene kid' so I have spent most of my life being part of this wonderful Kyrene community. I have a BA from ASU, a MA in counseling, and I am a certified counselor.  For nearly 20 years I have worked in the field of social work and counseling with a focus on family preservation and support services, training and educating families with children who have a history of trauma and behavioral health needs, and meeting the social and emotional needs of children. I absolutely love being in the school setting and advocating for children, it is truly my passion! On a personal note, I have 3 children and as a family we enjoy movies, hiking, and exploring new places, cultures, and foods. Our Golden Retriever puppy, Bailey, is training to become a therapy dog and also loves all of our adventures, especially if they involve water!

I am here to provide support and resources including:

• Social/emotional support and mental health
• Short term, individual, and group counseling
• Collaborate with families/teachers/ administrators/community to support student success
• Advocate for students at IEP or other student-focused meetings
• Classroom lessons focused on social-emotional learning
• Assist with food, hygiene, clothes, and school supplies