Anna Baird
Recreation Therapist
Anna Baird serves as the Recreation Therapist at New Focus Academy, where she designs and leads therapeutic recreation programs that help students build confidence, independence, and real-world skills through purposeful activity.
Anna’s path into recreation therapy includes experience as a Youth Care Coordinator, where she used verbal de-escalation techniques to support clients through difficult moments, and as a community support provider for individuals with developmental disabilities, where she helped clients build independence through community engagement.
Anna previously worked as a Program Coordinator with the Kostopolous Dream Foundation, where she trained fellow counselors, evaluated clients' therapeutic goals, and helped clients explore career and educational paths. She has also worked as a youth camp counselor, guiding teenagers through outdoor activities and creating supportive, positive environments for growth.
Anna holds a Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation from Brigham Young University–Idaho and is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS). She is also licensed in Recreational Therapy in the state of Utah and is CPR/AED and First Aid certified. Anna’s blend of adaptability, leadership, and genuine care for her clients makes her a valuable part of the New Focus team.