For Rebecca Heller, Viewpoint's Director of Student Wellness for TK-12, prioritizing health and well-being has been important throughout her life—beginning as a certified aerobics instructor in high school and evolving into a lifelong passion for dance, yoga, and mindfulness. Heller holds a Master’s in School Counseling and recently took her commitment to student wellness a step further by earning a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Leadership and Innovation from Arizona State University. 

Heller’s professional journey transitioned from college counseling to student wellness in 2020, driven by a realization: while students were well-prepared academically, many lacked the social and emotional tools needed to thrive beyond the classroom.

“While students were excelling academically and heading to college, I was also seeing some withdraw or take a leave of absence for mental health reasons,” Heller shared. “It became clear that we needed to better support their social and emotional development and equip them with essential coping tools.”

This insight inspired her doctoral research on mindfulness in high-achieving schools, focusing on Eleventh Grade Viewpoint students due to the heightened stress of that year. Over seven weeks, she taught seven mindfulness techniques. Despite initial resistance, more than 50% of participants reported using these tools in their daily lives.

“The biggest takeaway for me was that students are absorbing these skills, even if they don’t seem receptive at first,” she noted. “It reinforced the importance of teaching coping strategies, knowing they can make a lasting impact.”

At Viewpoint, Heller leads wellness initiatives for both students and faculty, including a TK-12 curriculum and the student Wellness Ambassador program, which empowers participants to support student well-being and help destigmatize mental health issues. She says her doctoral studies will help her keep improving these programs, using what she's learned from data and research to make them even more effective.

“My main goal is to build a TK-12 curriculum that students genuinely enjoy,” Heller explained. “Even if they don’t love it in the moment, they might still use those skills later. It’s about integrating well-being into their learning experience so they carry those tools with them beyond the classroom.”

Looking ahead, Heller aims to integrate well-being into every aspect of school life, making it an essential part of the student experience. A key part of this effort is the newly renovated Wellness Corner, a reconfigured space that includes school counselors and provides students with a dedicated area to relax, regulate their emotions, or seek support when needed.

“Wellness isn’t about eliminating challenges. It’s about providing students with the tools and spaces they need to navigate them,” she said. “That’s the heart of what we do.”