Counseling, College & Career
Meet Your Counselor & Social Worker
Ms. Shauna C. Pierson
Phone: 206-631-7778
Email: shauna.pierson@highlineschools.org
Welcome to Innovation Heights Academy. I’m Ms. Shauna C. Pierson, the school counselor. Please contact me at the email listed above or at 206-631-7778. I’m excited to begin this new journey at Innovation Heights Academy (IHA), formally New Start High School. I believe in the mission & vision of IHA and the opportunity to work with students who need and want a true alternative education.
In providing this new educational curriculum, we will not only meet graduation requirements, but through project based learning experiences, allow students to showcase their skills in a variety of different ways, but in the best way possible for their learning. Example: writing a 5-page essay may work for some but not all, so another student may create a PowerPoint for the same task/assignment that also meets the learning standards for that content area.
IHA is a half day program with a morning cohort and an afternoon cohort. There is a Stem period that is team taught and a Humanities period that is also team taught, plus a Wellness period that again is team taught with rotating Social Emotional Learnings for all students. In this new curriculum that is team taught, we have more educational staff in the learning environment to support students in their learnings.
Finally, I will explore with students their post-graduate opportunities, such as employment, skills training programs, college applications and how to apply and fund these different opportunities. Example: applying for FAFSA or WAFSA Financial Aid, scholarships beyond the College Bound Scholarship that many of our students registered in middle school.
I welcome student and parents alike to contact me for an appointment or to just drop in. I’m very excited to work with all of our students and support each one for the future they choose. I believe whole heartly in a quote that I heard quite often growing up. My grandmother used to tell all of her grandchildren, “Education is the foundation of all successful societies.” This has inspired me in my work with today’s youth. I look forward to working with and along side our students and their families.
Degrees and Certifications: Bachelor's Degree: Physical Education Teacher w/Minor in Coaching Masters Degree: Guidance & School Counseling National Board Certified School Counselor
Anne MArie Littleton
Phone: 206-631-7790
Text: 971-915-3276
Email: annemarie.littleton@highlineschools.org
Message me on the ParentSquare app
* View open times on my calendar and schedule an appointment (either in-person, zoom or phone)
I'm Anne Marie Littleton, the school social worker at Innovation Heights Academy (previously New Start High School). I wanted to reach out and let you know that I'm available to support students and families with access to resources and crisis support. Hablo espanol. I can provide community resource referrals for food, clothing, hygiene supplies, housing, utility bills, counseling, substance use treatment and crisis support. I can also brainstorm ideas with you to help overcome barriers to school success. If your family is struggling with housing instability, please learn about the supports available through our HPS McKinney Vento program and then contact me to see if you might qualify. If your student needs an ORCA card or assistance navigating the metro bus routes to school, let me know and I can help.
Degrees and Certification:
Bachelor’s degree: Social Work and Spanish
Master’s degree: Social Work
I look forward to working with you all this year!
If you are in crisis or experiencing thoughts of suicide please contact
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - call or text 988
- Crisis Text Line - text HOME to 741741
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - call 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
For information about community resources in King County contact:
Call 2-1-1 or visit www.search.wa211.org