Paxton Leibold has dedicated her career to supporting marginalized populations across a variety of mental health settings—including refugee camps, community health organizations, and non-profits. After earning her master’s degree in Denver, Colorado, she returned to Houston to focus on working with students with learning differences in school-based environments.

Since 2020, Paxton has been part of the Gateway Academy community. She began as the Family and Student Support Specialist for the Advance Program, working closely with young adults and their families, before transitioning into her current role as Counselor Program Coordinator at Gateway Academy. In this position, she serves as a vital link between Gateway’s counseling department and outside professionals, teaches weekly emotional wellness classes to students in grades 10–12, provides both in-class and individual counseling support, and collaborates with parents to promote integrated care and education.

Paxton is a certified Birkman Professional and holds certification in Attachment and Trauma work with adolescents—expertise she applies daily to support the students she serves.

Outside of Gateway, Paxton enjoys playing competitive pickleball with friends and family, and spending time on home improvement projects alongside her husband.