My name is Heather Alfrey and I'm proud to be the Patterson School Social Worker.  I fully believe in the benefits of having social work services available on school campuses.  We are fortunate in GPS to have a full-time Social Worker or Mental Health Counselor on every campus.  I provide social and emotional support to students through individual student meetings, small groups, and in the classroom to help students with social emotional learning, emotional regulation, problem solving, character development, conflict resolution, empathy, and so much more.  

I am a native Arizonan and have been a social worker serving children, youth, and families for over 20 years.  I hold both a Bachelor of Social Work degree from NAU (go Lumberjacks!) and Master of Social Work degree from ASU (go Devils!).   I am also licensed through the state of Arizona and hold an Arizona School Social Worker Certificate.  I am a GPS parent and have three children in the district.  My family and I enjoy camping and the outdoors, cooking, riding bikes, listening to music, photography, reading, and watching movies together!