Peggy Anderson, MSW

Credentials: Masters of Arts in Social Work Education, USC and College Counseling Certificate
 

Born and raised in the Bay Area by two artistic parents, I have always had a passion for working with young minds. A child myself, I would often “play school” with classrooms full of make-believe children. I was fascinated by the traits and qualities that make every person unique. Fast forward to 2014 - after receiving my Bachelors in Sociology from UCSB, I tried my hand at teaching as a City Year Americorps member in East Side San Jose. I taught literacy skills and led an after-school program, and although I loved making lesson plans and thinking of fun, creative activities for my students, I was instantly drawn to the social aspects of working with youth and families, and providing the resources and tools needed to create the same educational opportunities I was so fortunate to receive as a student. This led to years of nannying and working with preschool students all across the Bay Area until I received my Masters in Social Work from USC in 2018 and returned to the world of education to become an executive functioning coach and tutor for middle and high school students. 

Working with students who were preparing to apply to college really opened my eyes to the need for resources and guidance during this process. Many students feel lost, overwhelmed, or doubtful about their futures, despite the endless opportunities that await them. I received my college counseling certification from UCSD in 2019, and it became a goal of mine to help students navigate this journey towards adulthood with confidence, utilizing their support systems and taking into account all of their individual skills and strengths. The college application process is not ‘one-size-fits-all,’ and ultimately, I believe all students have the potential to attend the college of their dreams, or to be anything they aspire to be. I now use a very individualized and holistic approach to meet each and every student where they currently are. I have a wealth of knowledge in applying motivational interviewing and executive functioning skills to the work that I do and I enjoy modeling positivity and critical thinking in every one-on-one interaction. My hope is to make every experience at CCP an unforgettable one.