We are delighted to shine our staff spotlight on Anthony Leonette, our dedicated and deeply compassionate school counselor. Anthony’s life story is one of courage, resilience, and an extraordinary commitment to ensuring young people feel seen, understood, and valued. His journey — from rural Ohio to the heart of our Bridges community — has shaped him into the thoughtful, empathetic, and intuitive counselor our students trust and rely on.
The Early Years
Anthony grew up in Chesterland, a rural community outside of Cleveland, Ohio, the third of five children in a close-knit Italian-American family. Holidays were lively and overflowing with relatives. He remembers himself as an exuberant, outgoing child who loved being on stage. He sang constantly, adored pop icons like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, and spent his elementary years performing in plays, musicals, drama club, and show choir.
One of his earliest memories is being mesmerized by Gloria Estefan’s music videos. His first concerts were Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears, back when fans sporting pigtails and short skirts filled the arenas. “I loved being in the spotlight,” he shares. Performing was a way he connected, expressed himself, and felt most alive.
In 7th grade, he auditioned to sing the National Anthem at a school pep rally. To his surprise, the music instructor chose him. On the big day and in front of the entire school, his voice cracked several times during the performance. It ended up being a personally traumatic experience for Anthony. “Looking back, I’m impressed that my younger self was brave enough to put myself out there,” he reflects. Nevertheless, the vulnerability he experienced at that moment changed him. He stopped actively seeking the spotlight.
Anthony was also deeply involved in a yearly Easter musical put on by his church. The musical about Jesus’ life was a treasured tradition that he enjoyed from kindergarten through high school. Although he is no longer religious, he speaks fondly of this period of belonging, performance, and community that he enjoyed with his mom and younger sister.
Identity and Early Activism
Growing up queer in the ‘90s and early 2000s in a small town was profoundly difficult. He remembers being feminine in ways that didn’t align with people’s expectations of what a boy “should” be. Bullying was constant and messages from his religious community at the time framed his identity as sinful and dangerous. “Understanding that I was different, people made fun of me,” he shares. “It felt like people knew something about me that I didn’t yet realize.”
But Anthony wasn’t alone. Both of his older brothers, who were grown, came out around the same time he did which helped. “When my parents found out I and my two older brothers were gay, it was really difficult for them,” he recalls. “My mom was a nurse, and she thought being gay meant you would get AIDS and die. Homosexuality, at the time, was viewed as both a sin and a death sentence.” These experiences ultimately fueled his desire to create change in the world around him. He set out to build the kinds of safe, affirming communities he didn’t always have access to himself.
High School Years: Advocacy and Adversity
At West Geauga High School, Anthony became more open about his ident
ity and found peers who were also navigating queer adolescence. Together, they decided to start a Gay Student Alliance (GSA). Although the principal was supportive, teachers were hesitant to sponsor the club and older students threatened to disrupt the first meeting. The intimidation scared away the friends he had planned it with, leaving Anthony to start the GSA alone.
His advocacy work was interrupted when he faced a serious medical crisis. What began as a biopsy for a kidney tumor turned into a 9-hour emergency surgery in which he stopped breathing and required a blood transfusion. Surgeons ultimately removed two-thirds of his left kidney. The ordeal was life-changing, not only for Anthony but also for his mom, who had distanced herself after he had come out. His near-death experience brought her back into his life, reawakening their bond. She has since become one of his strongest supporters, even publishing a book in 2017 about raising three gay children.
Anthony recovered, graduated, and chose to attend Kent State University — drawn to its diversity, proximity to his family, and supportive LGBTQ community.
Discovering Psychology and a Love of Working with Kids
Despite only knowing how to sew a button, Anthony enrolled as a Fashion major before switching to Business. Neither felt like the right fit. Everything changed when he took a psychology class that immediately sparked joy. “It didn’t feel like learning,” he says. “It felt like reading a really good book.”
A pivotal experience came during the summer of 2009 when he worked at Camp Ramapo in New York with neurodiverse and special needs children. Helping campers through challenging experiences, like learning how to swim in the lake or navigating outdoor adventures, revealed a natural ability he had for nurturing and supporting young people. The work was intense but transformational. It also resulted in a lasting friendship with his best friend, Julie, who was a fellow camp counselor. After that summer, he knew psychology and working with youth was his path forward.
Chicago: Professional Growth and Self Discovery
After graduation, Anthony joined Julie in Chicago and quickly found his footing. He spent the next 11 years building a rich and varied professional life. His roles included working at a school for autistic children providing 1:1 academic and ADA support, pursuing an Education Specialist degree at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, and completing a year-long school psychology internship.
Although he completed the program, he soon realized that school psychology involved more testing and paperwork and less personal connection with students.
This clarity led him to Fusion Academy, a private school that implemented a progressive 1:1 teaching model that allowed him to connect with students deeply and authentically. He taught Math, Psychology, and various electives, building transformative, supportive relationships with his students. Fusion’s model — free from the pressures and distractions of traditional school settings — was a revelation. Students who struggled elsewhere thrived with individual support, and Anthony saw firsthand how safe, affirming environments could completely change a young person’s trajectory.
During the pandemic, he transitioned seamlessly into remote instruction, realizing he could still make impactful connections via Zoom. This discovery opened new doors, leading him to begin tutoring virtually and traveling widely. During this period, he traveled extensively throughout the US and Mexico. “Mexico City is my favorite city in the world!” he exclaims. “I’m fascinated by the culture, the colors, the food, the music, the abundant creativity, and the welcoming people.”
Planting Roots in Portland
In 2021, Anthony visited Portland for the first time and immediately felt at home. “I felt so seen and comfortable,” he recalls. “I felt like I belonged.” Just a few months later, he made the move. His sister also relocated to Portland shortly after, giving him an anchor as he settled in.
Anthony continued tutoring virtually and taught summer math at Grant High School with a company that partnered with public schools.
Finding His Place at Bridges
Anthony was “recruited” to work at Bridges by one of the students he tutored. One day during their tutoring lesson, the boy asked, “Why don’t you work at my school? Bridges is entirely for neurodiverse kids, and it’s amazing!” Anthony initially thought the boy was kidding, but after being connected with Beven and Carrie, he started tutoring on campus after school hours. The culture, the students, and the staff impressed him immediately. Later, when he was encouraged to apply for the open School Counselor position, he realized that Bridges offered something very unique: a school environment rooted in warmth, individuality, and true inclusion.
“I thought I didn’t want to work in a school setting again,” he said. “But Bridges was different. The kids were amazing and happy. The teachers were supportive. It didn’t feel like a traditional school. It felt loving.”
After three years at Bridges, Anthony’s impact is felt in every corner of our community.
His Vision for Bridges
Anthony is passionate about continuing to cultivate a school culture that serves both students and staff with intention and compassion. His goals include nurturing an environment where every student feels genuinely seen and creating pathways for student and staff well-being, collaboration, and meaningful connection.
Personal Time
When he’s not supporting students, Anthony enjoys long nature walks and quiet, restorative downtime. He has developed a deep interest in astrology, Tarot, and Gene Keys, which he finds to be powerful tools for understanding life’s challenges. His studio apartment is also home to more than fifty thriving plants.
Math Tutoring
While Bridges policy doesn’t allow Anthony to tutor current Bridges students, he does provide middle school and high school math support to students not enrolled at Bridges. If interested in learning more, he can be reached on Instagram or by email at aleonette87@gmail.com.