Ruth Amaro LBSW-IPR
975-522-4435
2341 S. Belt Line Rd 

Hi, my name is Ruth Amaro, I earned my Social Work degree at UT Arlington, I am licensed by the state of Texas as LBSW-IPR and hold a master’s degree from the University of Phoenix.

As a school social worker, I have dedicated my educational career and focus on working with children and their families in their home, school, and the community in the hope to help address a variety of family issues.  I am a dedicated professional with strong social work ethics, skills, and experience that are vital when providing support to families.  I take pride in assisting individuals to feel fulfilled and pursue their greatest potential and succeed.  I feel privileged to be a part of GPISD, as the assigned Social Worker at the Family Service Center.

I want to start off by saying that I love being at GPISD and working with the students at Adams Middle School. I will be starting my second school year with the district and I'm very excited about it. I obtained my BSW from Texas Woman's University in 2013 and my MSW from the University of Arlington in 2017. I've had the opportunity to work in educational settings and I would not change it for anything. I've worked with Communities in Schools, DCCCD at Mountain View College and Irving ISD prior to joining the amazing GPISD team. Is important for me to be able to assist the student and families achieve their goals and be successful.

Learn more about school social work at Adams Middle School. 

Hello, I am Ms. Barrett your school social worker. I am happy to start another great year at Harry S Truman Middle School. This is my 5th year with Grand Prairie ISD and my 12^th year as a social worker. I am excited to use my knowledge and experience to help your students be as successful as possible. My approach is to use a strengths perspective and be solution-focused. I earned my Bachelor of Social Work Degree from Tarleton State University and my Master of Social Work Degree from Baylor University. I began my career in the field of child welfare. Following this, I worked with those experiencing homelessness and disabilities.  Prior to beginning my work in the district, I worked as a children's therapist. Both of my internships took place in schools and my ultimate goal has been to work with students where they spend the majority of their day. Let me know what I can do for you. 

Learn more about school social work at Truman Middle School.

Kayla Masarik is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) originally from Las Vegas, NV. She received her Bachelor of Social Work degree from The University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2016 and moved to Texas shortly after. In 2018, Kayla went on to receive her Master of Social Work degree with a concentration in Children and Families from The University of Texas at Arlington. She has experience working with youth in behavior modification programs, child welfare, and school social work. Her interests include traveling, outdoor activities, basketball and spending time with loved ones.

Learn more about school social work at Young Men's Leadership Academy.

Ms. Brandy Gifford, LMSW

Mrs. Gifford was raised in Nashville, TN.  She is an Army wife and has had the opportunity to live in multiple states over the years such as South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Having a passion for helping others, she pursued her education in social sciences. She received her associate's degree in paralegal studies from Virginia Western Community College. Her family was eventually relocated to Fort Hood, TX, where she attended the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor (UMHB). She graduated Magna Cum Laude from UMHB, earning a Bachelor of Social Work degree. She attended California University of Pennsylvania while living outside the Pittsburgh area, graduating at the top of her class with Presidential Honors and earning her master’s degree in social work.

Mrs. Gifford has experience providing case management services, behavioral interventions, and counseling to both adults and children. She interned with Belton ISD’s homeless liaison, providing case management, supportive guidance, and drop out prevention to homeless youth in the district. She worked as a Therapeutic Support Specialist for Family Behavioral Resources (FBR), providing in-home behavior interventions for children diagnosed with mental health and behavior disorders. Mrs. Gifford worked at Communities In Schools Greater Tarrant County providing case management and supportive guidance to at-risk-youth in Crowley ISD. She is excited to be at GPFAA and looks forward to providing students with the tools and support they need to grow and be successful.

Learn more about school social work at Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy. 

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Bachelor's and Master's degree from The University of Texas at Arlington with over 10 years of varied experience working with children and families in a variety of settings providing both long term and brief interventions and counseling. Most recently I was employed with Dallas ISD Psychological & Social Services. I believe that change happens when people are given the insight they need to draw on their own strengths and realize their potential to live fulfilling happy lives. I strive daily to help students make that change. In my free time, I love traveling, spending time with my husband and family, serving at church, and giving back through various service projects in my community. Helping students is my passion and helping the students of Dubinski is an honor. I’m happy to join the team! 

Learn more about school social work at Dubiski Career High School.

Gwendolyn Sanders is the School Social Worker at Grand Prairie High School. Mrs. Sanders earned both her Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work from Texas Christian University. Her focus of the study was working with families and adolescents, with an emphasis on mental health. Mrs. Sanders always had a passion for helping others, before she became a Social Worker, she was a medivac dispatcher for the United States Army. She has spent much of her free time volunteering with different organizations, including running a free hot meals program and training service dogs. Mrs. Sanders started her social work career by working as a family, individual and group therapist for both adolescents and adults at a mental and behavioral health hospital. Mrs. Sanders understands how important it is for students to have caring adults in their lives. She has a passion to care for her students the same way teachers and counselors did for her.

Learn more about school social work at Grand Prairie High School.

Ivory Maxwell-Hedger is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) who is a native of Florida, but as of 2011 calls Texas her home. Mrs. Maxwell-Hedger earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from The University of West Florida (2005) and her Master of Social Work from The University of Texas at Arlington (2013).

Mrs. Maxwell-Hedger has over a decade of experience as a Social Worker. She served the children and families in Florida as a Lead Family Services Counselor for CPS for 8 years and a Youth Aftercare Counselor with the Department of Juvenile Justice for 3 years. After relocating to Texas with her family, Mrs. Maxwell-Hedger served as a Social Work Advocate for a Non-Profit in Dallas, Texas helping rescue women and teen girls from Human and Sex Trafficking for 6 years.

rs. Maxwell-Hedger joined the GPISD family in 2016 as a district Social Worker. She has a passion for working with children and adolescents and enjoys helping them become the best version of themselves. You will often find Mrs. Maxwell-Hedger either in her office or walking the halls of her campus greeting students and staff with a huge smile.

Mrs. Maxwell-Hedger is a wife and mother of two beautiful girls. She loves reading, cooking, and doing arts and crafts.

Maria Herrera
Maria Herrera is the School Social Worker at South Grand Prairie High School.  She has a BSW from the University of Texas at Austin as well as an LMSW from the University of Texas at Arlington. This is her 3^rd year with Grand Prairie ISD. She has worked as a Social Work intern through the University of Texas at Arlington as well as Family/Community Liaison. This is her first year at SGP.  Mrs. Herrera has 20 years’ experience in social services with a focus on children and families.  As the SGP school social worker, she is able to provide social and emotional support to students and help identify those barriers that are preventing students from achieving academic success.  She is looking forward to a great year and making connections with SGP students and their families.

Learn more about school social work at South Grand Prairie High School.