Ms. Sondheimer joined Team Synergy in 1980 after having graduated with a degree in social work. She looks back warmly on her experience at Synergy as she had always aspired to work in the clinical setting. Having served as Synergy’s School Social Worker for 32 years, Joann considers herself fortunate that she found the position and “could not ask for anything more”. Throughout her time at Synergy, she saw the potential in all of her students and the strength they had to persevere despite their circumstances as did the rest of the Synergy team. Despite Synergy’s public perception, she knew that all staff were equally invested in student success by establishing a family-like atmosphere, providing intensive support, and genuine care. This led to the development of student counseling groups as well as a daycare center to support pregnant and parenting teens.
Jo Ann now owns a private practice where she continues to support adolescents and adults to find success in the way those at Synergy found success: establishing a support network with those who are investing in making a positive difference in the lives of others. In her experience at Synergy, she saw success in those who were able to take steps towards asking for help and those who learned to develop support network. She recognized the aforementioned as a recipe for success and implored all students enrolling at Synergy to do the same.
Ms. Sondheimer offered the following parting word to current and future Synergy students “Believe in yourself. It is okay to ask for help. Rely on those you trust. Surround yourself with people who make you feel good.”