The Counselor’s Notebook
VOL. 63 NO. 2 __________
OCT 2026
MASSACHUSETTS SCHOOL COUNSELOR’S ASSOCIATION
“Who is Your School Counselor?” By CoryMcGann, MASCA Board Chair In my school, I hear The first step is getsome version of the ting in front of them, question “Who Is Your whichever way works School Counselor?” best for your school. quite a bit. It’s usualClassroom visits are ly said by teachers to always ideal, but students, administraone-on-one convertors to students, adsations are essential ministrative assistants too, especially those to students, and even kiddos that need (or students to their peers. are on your radar to The question is comneed) Tier II and/or plimentary: because it Tier III interventions. is said often, it means Make those connecthat we have services to tions now with those provide to our students, kids before needing and it is recognized by to have tougher conall of the others in the versations in the fubuilding. You get that ture. Cory McGann, Board Chair student to their counselor, and you will be on your way to solv- And of course try to find ways to make sure your families know who you are and ing the issue that needs to be solved. how you can help their child. Newsletters Now that it is October and we have all from your department are always good, survived the onslaught that the begin- e-mails out to parents occasionally will ning of school brings every year, we can help foster communication, and being finally settle into our year. Regardless of able to communicate with EL families whether you are a high school, middle is always a must. Demonstrating with school, or elementary school counselor, EL families that you have tools at your this is the time of the year where you are disposal such as access to translators or forging or deepening relationships with being able to send materials in their lanyour students (and families!) so that you guage goes a long way to helping you be are a known and recognized helper. their go-to trusted advocate within your This is especially true for new students building. in your building. The first weeks for them are getting to know their teach- Fostering relationships in October means ers and making friends. End of list. But stronger, positive feelings for counselors now that everyone is settling in it is an throughout the year, and makes your job ideal time for counselors to make those easier if any tough days occur during the introductions (or re-introductions) and year. Help your students know who you make sure both your students - little are, how you can help, and that you are ones as well as big ones - and their fam- here to support them through their sucilies know who you are and what your cesses and their difficulties. role is (how you can help them!)
In this Issue: 2 New Members 3 Director’s Message: Welcome Back & Preview 4 The Joy of Giving Back 5 Awareness Dates 6 Optomism in Mentoring 8 MASCA Awards 9 MASCA & Me 10 ACCEPT PD Opportunities 12 Directory 13 About MASCA
Meet Our Newest MASCA Members! Isabella Aguiar
Meredith Gaynor
Caralyn Morell
Amanda Anderson
Gabby Geerholt
Kelly Morrissey
Ray Arsenault
Jasper Grassa
Krista Murphy
Madison Ayik
Jon Gregory Gattuso
Lauren Murphy
Gia Barkett
Hayley Greland
Alise Murray
Lamar Batiste
Ella Grey
Nikki Naisuler
Emily Belo
Genevieve Guellnitz
Ashley Neveu
Sarah Borjas
Allie Gundler
Haley Nolan
Patrick Brown
Bethany Hager
Stacy Page
Katie Brown
Patrick Hamilton
Rosalie Pagnoni
Molly Bryant
Caryn Haskins
Jen Palmer
Heather Burgess
Meghan Haupt
Julie Paradis
Lauren Callaghan
Iliana Helps
Donavan Payne
Elena Cardoso
Meher Hingorani
Deb Potee
Luigi Carolini
Brianna Hood
Jana Purington
Emma Carpenter
Liora Hopkinson
Gia Raczkowski
Julia Christy
Julia Ignazio
Kate Reagan
Phil Coleman
Brendan Kane
Brianna Reynolds
Lydia Coverdale-Perez
Sydney Katz
Elaine Rodriguez
Cailin Currie
Brooke Kavanaugh
Mason Ryan-Lipps
Sydney Davies
Avery Lapis
Kelci Schulz
Brianne DeMarco
Brian LaRochelle
Payton Sharon
Shelly DeMeo
Heather Leas
Kristina Simon
Justin Demers
Jenna Lindinger
Chafonda Smith
Erin DeVita
Amelia Linehan
David Stephenson
Marion Devoti
Elianna Liriano-Diaz
Jackie Sugrue
Danielle Dicarlo
Kaitlyn Luby
Austin Sullivan
Julia DiMarzio
Paige MacNeill
Emma Szalewicz
Alli Duffy
Jay Mahabeer Budree
Jordan Ton
Jada Evans
Daniel Mahaney
Emma Tosca
Kaitlyn Feeney
Samantha McCann
Aleka Towers
Carla Femino
Grace McCarthy
Tara Vavruska
Oli Fiore
Joe McLaughlin
Jocelyn Villegas
Sean Fisher
Shona McMorrow
Grace Vitorino
Jesenia Flores Janssen
Kerry McNulty
Sashae Walls
Nick Fouche
Lynn Mikolajczak
Kaitlyn Walmsley
Madeline Frank
Chelsea Minaya-Torres
Jessica Willhite
Jillian Galvagni
Lisa Moore
Taylor Wooster
If you know or happen to meet any of our new members, please extend a very warm welcome! Page 2
Counselor’s Notebook
Director’s Message Transforming School Counseling By Bob Bardwell, MASCA Executive Director
Committee (now called the Climate and Culture Crew). Throughout her time on the Board, Manjula was ahead of her time looking at ways that MASCA could be on the cutting edge of innovative, equitable and leadership best practices in school counseling. It should be no surprise then that she continues this work in her role at Barr. We have been in communication off and on over the years but recently we have had some pretty exciting and bold conversations about the current challenges of school counseling that we face here in Massachusetts. This led to me invite Manjula to the MASCA Leadership Development Institute (LDI) at Merrimack in August to gather some feedback from the Board leaders about ways to improve the school counseling profession in Massachusetts.
Bob Bardwell In my role as Executive Director I participate in many meetings. Some are quite routine while others are exciting. But once and a while, there are some that are pretty extraordinary, and well, could be transformative. One such awesome meeting happened recently when The Barr Foundation invited MASCA, OneGoal, DESE representatives and a school counselor educator to meet to discuss the future of school counseling in Massachusetts. Thanks to Manjula Karamcheti, a former school counselor, counseling director and former MASCA Board member who now works at Barr as a Program Officer in the education unit, I was invited to this meeting. The Barr Foundation’s mission is “to invest in human, natural, and creative potential, serving as thoughtful stewards and catalysts.” Some of its core values include striving for impact, investing in leaders, embracing risk and focusing on racial equity. Some of its’ current educational project include working with school districts such as Springfield, Boston, Chelsea, Agawam and Medford, just to name a few. I have known Manjula for many years going back to her days as the Director of School Counseling in Malden. She served as the chair of the MASCA Member Engagement Committee as well as a founding cochair of the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access October 2026
I have shared many times in this column the fact that school counseling in most schools in the Commonwealth is still stuck in the 1980’s. I have had the good fortune to be able to travel across the country and network with school counseling colleagues from all over. In many parts of the country school counseling has already been reformed and transformed by providing services to all students (tier 1), using data to determine services and interventions, being proactive rather than reactive and spending more time out of their offices than inside. So, with the help of our partners, I am hopeful that we can start a serious conversation about transforming school counseling here in Massachusetts. For those who remember the history of the school counseling profession, you may recall that in the late 90s, with the help of the Education Trust, there was a national movement to transform school counseling. Call the Transformed School Counseling initiative, the work brought together school counseling leaders, school counselor educators, policy makers and philanthropists to the table to look at what was missing in our profession and what needed to happen in terms of our preparation programs to change what school counselors did to ultimately improve student performance and achievement. In many parts of the country, this initiative took hold and radically changed how school counselors were trained and what they did in their schools on a daily basis, but not so much here in Massachusetts. Thus, I am very hopeful that we will go through our own transforming school counselor initiative, albeit some 30 years later. My goal is to bring together school counseling leaders, educators, higher education faculty, partnering organizations, researchers and philanthropists to do this hard work – to change the school counseling narrative here in the Commonwealth. (continued on page 5)
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The Joy of Giving Back
By Dawn Martin, School Counselor, Qualters Middle School and MASCA Middle Level SIG Leader When I started my career as a School Counselor over 25 years ago, I had an amazing mentor. She had experience working with students in community settings and had been a school counselor for many years when I met her. My mentor was extremely busy doing all the school counselor things, but she always made time for me. She answered all my questions, gave me resources, allowed me to join her in small groups, meetings and classrooms as I learned the building culture and honed my skills in school counseling. I remember vividly thanking her so often for sharing her time and wisdom with me and for all of her support. She often replied, “Some day you will do this for others joining our field, that’s what we do!” I looked forward to the day that I could repay this kindness, this guidance, this support. Since that time I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to mentor several new counselors. It is a privilege to give back and to support counselors who will continue the good work for many years to come. It is
time very well spent and I would encourage anyone to consider being a mentor for a counselor entering the field. Sharing information and supporting each other through this very important work is so vital to our success. Over the past few years I have had graduate students in school counseling or social work reach out to me, often to ask about our career, my pathway to becoming a school counselor and any advice I could share that has helped me throughout my career. Recently I reconnected with a graduate student who had reached out to me last year to complete an assignment to interview a school counselor. He had to complete the interview, do a write up and present it to his classmates. I asked him how it went and he said that it went really well and added that the students really liked a piece of advice I shared with him. Cue moment of panic on my part, trying to remember what that could be. I should have known it was the piece of advice that I share with all the counselors I work with, something I learned all those years ago from my own mentor.
My mentor always stressed the importance of taking care of yourself while doing this important and often heavy work. She has a great sense of humor, and we both believed that finding the humor whenever you can is a very helpful tool. So she told me to create a folder called the “You Don’t Stink” folder and the name always makes me laugh. I call it my UDS folder when speaking with others who may not appreciate the humor. The purpose and message behind the folder is an important one. It is a place to keep each positive note, message or email from a student, guardian, staff or community member that you receive that highlights some important outcome or thanks for the work you have done with a student. When you need it, the folder is a place to go to remember the impact your work has had over time. It has never failed to make me feel a little lighter on those days that feel heavy. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to create your own UDS folder. The joy of giving back to the profession is so worthwhile, don’t forget to bring that joy back to you.
SAVE THE DATE FOR MASCA’S SPRING CONFERENCE !
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Counselor’s Notebook
Director’s Message: Transforming School Counseling (continued from page 3)
What would this look like you ask? • School counselors who work with all students •
Ensuring that each counselor has a strong relationship with students and their caseload, they know every student’s name and the students know theirs
•
Being proactive rather than reactive
•
Using data to inform our work
•
• •
department head and someone who ideally is not wearing multiple hats •
Providing dedicated funding to school counseling programs to implement their curriculum, programs and services
•
No longer treating school counselors as second class, stepchildren or after thoughts and instead treating them like leaders and change agents
Is this possible? I certainly think so. The folks at the Collecting data that is measurable and Ed Trust did it, so why can’t we? This certainly would demonstrates improved student perfor- require a great deal of work, overcoming barriers mance and achievement and outdated past practices, and an openness to innovate and change, but it is possible. In the words Creating and executing a required school of Margaret Mead – “Never doubt that a small group counselor curriculum map of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the Developing, managing and evaluating a world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” comprehensive school counseling program
•
Guaranteeing school counselors perform only school counseling related tasks
•
Ensuring school districts have a school counselor leader on the district leadership team, someone who is more than just a glorified
Does this topic excite you? I sure hope so. If you are interested in being part of what will hopefully be a historic movement in the Commonwealth, email me letting me know you want to help. I have no idea where this will go or what will come of it, but we must give it a try. Join us for what should be a transformative and game changing initiative. Stay tuned.
AWARENESS DATES
October 2026
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The Power of Optimism in Mentoring
By Maryanne Margiotta, Career Facilitator, Southwick Regional High School and MASCA Mentoring Coordinator October has arrived, and school counselors across the state are sustaining themselves on caffeine and leftover snacks from the lunch room to fuel themselves for the autumn crunch. If you’ve already dipped into your emergency stash of fun-size Halloween candy just to get through a Monday afternoon of schedule adjustments and unexpected student crises, please know that you are definitely not alone. By some beautifully ironic stroke of timing, October is also designated as National Positive Attitude Month. Now, I have to admit: maintaining that smile when your desk is buried under a mountain of 504 plans and district initiatives might feel a bit tough. But positivity in our line of work isn’t about pretending everything is sunshine and rainbows. It’s about survival, sanity, and realizing that you don’t have to navigate all the twists and turns of this profession entirely by yourself. That brings me to this October reflection as the coordinator of our state mentoring program. We aren’t a massive, faceless group where people get lost in the shuffle. We are an intentionally tightknit community. We have enjoyed having a dedicated group of stellar, experienced mentors standing by, and a wonderful cohort of active mentees who have benefited from working with them. We even have passionate, aspir-
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ing counselors waiting in the wings, eager to officially join the program once they secure their first full-time counseling positions. But here is a crucial detail that often gets overlooked: our program is not exclusively for first-year counselors. Maybe you’re a newer counselor who just needs some advice. Whether you are stepping into a completely unfamiliar role, adjusting to a new grade level concentration, or someone who wants to revitalize your daily practice, our mentors are here to help. Now all this might make you wonder how spending time recruiting relates to our message of positive thinking this month. It ties in perfectly! In fact, actively building our ranks is the ultimate expression of a positive attitude. It shows we have an unshakeable faith in the future of our profession and a fierce commitment to creating a safer, stronger network for everyone involved. We want to keep expanding our circle. We are actively looking for more new counselors to step forward and seek support, and we are equally eager to welcome more veteran mentors to our roster so we are fully prepared to cheer on the next wave of incoming professionals. I know what some of you might be thinking as you read this. “I’m way too busy to add one more virtual meeting to my calendar,” or “I don’t want
to bother a colleague with my questions.” Let’s debunk those ideas right now, starting with the design of our program. Because this is a statewide initiative, your mentoring partner will not be in your school building. In fact, they probably won’t even be in your school district. At first glance, not crossing paths by the faculty lunch room might seem like a disadvantage. But in reality, it is a total professional win. When your mentoring partner works three towns over (or even across the state), the relationship becomes cemented in absolute confidentiality. There are zero local building politics or district dynamics involved. A participant can candidly admit, “I have absolutely no clue how to handle this awkward situation,” without worrying about building gossip or administrative judgment. The physical distance creates a safe sanctuary where you can drop the “I have it all together” act and get completely objective feedback from someone who truly understands what you are going through. In addition, our mentors aren’t looking to give you extra homework; they simply want to be your long-distance sounding board. They are the ones who can help you protect your boundaries, give your calendar a sanity-check, and remind you why you were drawn to this profession in the first place. Staying connected doesn’t require a massive time commit(continued next page) Counselor’s Notebook
Mentoring (Continued from previous page)
ment either. A quick twicea-month Zoom chat or an ongoing “One Good Thing” text thread—where partners share a sixty-second message about a single positive weekly win or swap a funny, relatable counseling meme—is all it takes to bridge the geographic gap, reset your outlook, and completely shatter that sense of professional isolation. So, whether you are a veteran practitioner ready to join our ranks as a mentor or a newer professional looking for a guide, consider this your official October invitation. Let’s celebrate Positive Attitude Month by making an intentional, high-quality connection. Go ahead, pour the coffee, dip into those snacks, and take that next step—we’re ready to welcome you! Ready to connect? Visit our Mentoring page on the MASCA site for more information and to sign up!
32nd Annual Conference
AI’s Impact on Children’s Development BEYONDprobably DIGITAL HYPE: You’ve talked to AI, but do you ever wonder what it’s saying to our children?
Friday, October 23, 2026 8:45 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Kurn Hattin Home and School for Children 708 Kurn Hattin Rd, Westminster, VT 05158 Featuring Ying Xu, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor AI in Learning and Education Harvard University
Featuring Rotem Landesman, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Researcher Child-Centered AI Lab Harvard Graduate School of Education
CE credits Who should attend: • Educators • School Counselors • School Psychologists • Social Workers • Substance Abuse Counselors • Marriage & Family Therapists • MH Counselors
Register now: kurnhattin.org/fall-conference
WON’T YOU JOIN US? Just some of the Benefits of MASCA Membership:
• Networking Opportunities • Professional Development Opportunities / PDP’s • Annual Professional Conference • Members-only Special Interest Groups • Advocacy and Legislative Action Go to https://masca.wildapricot.org/join-us
October 2026
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MASCA Awards Season: Nominations Now Being Accepted Submitted by: Tama Lang & Dina Sibilia, PRC Co-Chairs
The Professional Recognition Committee is excited to share that awards nomination season is here! The PRC is accepting nominations from 9/30/26 through 10/30/26. Each year, we recognize our fellow counselors and educators who have made an impact in the field of school counseling. We encourage you to nominate your colleagues in the following areas: - School Counselor of the Year - Rising Star - Administrator of the Year - Graduate Student of the Year - School Counseling Intern of the Year - Social Justice Award - Leadership Award - Counselor Educator of the Year - Special Award - Excellence in School Counseling Program Award Nominees in all categories will be notified by email provided by their nominator. You may also self-nominate. If you are nominated, you will be asked to accept your nomination, answer a few short questions, and send a photo to be presented at the Virtual Gala via zoom on February 4, 2027 at 7:00 PM. Award recipients will be notified by late January. Nominees for the School Counselor of the Year and the Excellence (SCOY) in School Counseling Program (ESCPA) will be asked to complete and submit applications about themselves and/or their programs. Nominees for SCOY or ESCPA will be provided with ample time to complete the application. Nominate someone by completing THIS NOMINATION FORM or scanning the QR code:
If you have any questions regarding certain categories, timeline, nomination process, or have a general inquiry, please contact either PRC Co-Chair, Tama Lang at tlang@cpsge.org or Dina Sibilia at sibilia@wsps.org. Please consider nominating an outstanding colleague or awesome fellow school counselor! The PRC is looking forward to reviewing all of the nominations.
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Counselor’s Notebook
Christina Borges School Counselor
Westport Middle High School, Westport, MA Why are you a MASCA member? Being part of MASCA provides a vital connection to a network of dedicated school counselors who are passionate about advocating for our profession. It’s a platform that supports our growth, amplifies our voices in policy discussions, and fosters collaboration with colleagues who share our commitment to student success. What makes you unique as a school counselor? I believe my blend of curiosity, empathy, and lightheartedness sets me apart. I genuinely enjoy getting to know students, meeting them where they are, and helping them recognize their own potential. My approach revolves around listening for understanding and tailoring my support, because each student’s story is different—and I love the challenge of finding what resonates with each one. What inspires you about being a school counselor? What keeps me motivated is witnessing the hope I see in my students on a daily basis. Despite facing obstacles, they show kindness, curiosity, and a desire to grow. Seeing a student find confidence, or realize they truly belong and matter, reaffirms why I am inspired to do this work. What career would you be doing if you were not a school counselor? I’d probably pursue a career as a travel blogger or outdoor adventure guide—something that combines my love for exploring the outdoors with storytelling. I’ve always been drawn to discovering new places and sharing those experiences with others. What is your favorite tool to use in your work as a school counselor? Empowering students to make their own choices. I believe giving them options and helping them see the
October 2026
possible outcomes fosters confidence and independence. What words do you live by? “With great power comes great responsibility.” I believe this applies to the work I do with students—empowering them comes with the responsibility to guide, support, and help them grow into responsible, confident individuals. Why is it important to you to be part of a community of school counselors? Our roles are unique, and having a community that understands the nuances of this work helps us stay connected, inspired, and supported. Sharing experiences and ideas with peers keeps me energized and ensures I can sustain the work I do with students. How would you describe your job to a 5 year old? I help kids feel understood and confident. I listen to their worries, guide them through challenges, and support them in becoming independent and strong young adults. How do you decompress/eliminate stress or refuel for the next day? I like to start and end my days with a walk - moving helps me clear my mind. I also enjoy reading, watching TV, and baking to reset. When days get hectic, I remind myself that “We’re all doing the best we can,” and that helps me stay grounded. What brings you joy? Exploring new places and trying new experiences, whether it’s visiting a different city, hiking a new trail, or discovering hidden gems.
Share an example of something that you learned from one of your students. No matter how tough life gets, students can choose to move forward with grace and gratitude. Their resilience and positive outlook in difficult times continually inspire me and remind me of the strength young people possess. What is your favorite dessert? Freshbaked chocolate chip cookies. What is your guilty pleasure? Watching reality TV. What superpower do you wish you had? The power to tame frizzy hair!! What is your typical breakfast? Oatmeal topped with berries and yogurt, with a cup of coffee to start the day What is one thing that you are really good at? Decluttering any space What is your coffee order? A decaf latte with skim milk What could you talk about for 30 minutes with no notes? The 90 Day Fiancé franchise Do you have any hidden talents? I can play the theme song from M*A*S*H on the flute. What is something you think people don’t know about you? Portuguese is my first language.
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K-12 School Counselor and School Adjustment Counselor Job-Alike: For the conversations you can’t have with just anyone. The Job-Alike Series brings together School Counselors and School Adjustment Counselors to connect, collaborate, and support one another throughout the school year. While responsibilities vary across schools and grade levels, the work often overlaps in meaningful ways. This series is built around those shared experiences, with topics identified and shaped by participants themselves. Grounded in the ASCA National Model, this confidential professional community provides space for honest conversations, practical strategies, and shared problem-solving to help counselors feel more connected, more confident, and better equipped for the work they do every day. Audience: K-12 School Counselors and School Adjustment Counselors Dates & Times: Tuesdays, 10/13 & 11/17/26; 1/12, 3/9 & 5/11/27 Afterschool, Time TBD by the group Location: VirtualPDPs: Earn (1) PDP for each session;
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Participants who wish to earn a total of (10) CEUs may complete the full professional learning pathway by choosing to attend two of the four professional development workshops designed specifically for School Counselors and School Adjustment Counselors that will be offered separately throughout the school year.
LEARN MORE OR REGISTER
K-12 School Counselor and School Adjustment Counselor PD Series Session 1: The Counselor’s Compass Friday, October 9th, 12pm - 2pm A working session on professional direction. Counselors clarify the values that guide their decisions, examine where the day-to-day role has drifted from those values, and map concrete next steps — so the position they hold matches the professional they’ve become. (continued next page)
Counselor’s Notebook
About the Facilitator: Christine Soverow, MBA, M.Ed., CAGS, ICF-ACC (continued from previous page)
Session 2: New Tools, Same Ethics: AI and the School Counselor Friday, January 15th, 12pm - 2pm AI has arrived in students’ lives and counselors’ workflows ahead of the guidance. This workshop applies the ethical standards counselors already know to new terrain: student confidentiality and data privacy, appropriate use of AI in counseling tasks, college essays and recommendations, and how to talk with students about the AI in their lives. Session 3: Unmasking Self-Doubt Wednesday, April 7th, 12pm - 2pm Imposter feelings are common among skilled, experienced counselors — and rarely discussed. This workshop names the pattern, examines where it shows up in counseling work, and offers grounded strategies for meeting self-doubt with evidence rather than avoidance. Session 4: You Are More Than Your To-Do List Friday, May 21st, 12pm - 2pm School counselors carry caseloads, crises, and everyone else’s priorities. This workshop helps counselors step back from the task list, reconnect with the purpose that brought them to the work, and leave with practical tools — including a brief mindfulness practice — for staying grounded during the busiest weeks of the year. Participants can choose to participate in individual sessions or sign up for the entire series over the school year. Location: Virtual PDPs: 2 PDPs per individual sessions 12.5 PDPs for participants who sign up for the complete series and/or opt for the graduate credit
LEARN MORE OR REGISTER
October 2026
Christine Soverow brings more than 25 years of experience as a school counselor in Massachusetts, including recognition as MASCA School Counselor of the Year. Throughout her career, she has supported students, families, educators, and colleagues through complex challenges, competing demands, and the ever-changing landscape of school counseling. Licensed as a School (Guidance) Counselor, School Adjustment Counselor, and Director of Guidance/ School Counseling, Christine’s experience extends well beyond her years as a middle and high school counselor. As an adjunct professor in a graduate psychology program, Christine supervises aspiring school counselors and school adjustment counselors completing their practicum across urban, suburban, and rural districts, serving students from pre-K through high school. She also works as a paid district mentor for licensed school counselors in their first two years of employment, particularly in districts that lack established counselor mentoring structures. These combined experiences provide her with a broad perspective on the profession — from the dayto-day realities counselors face to the systems and supports needed for counselors to thrive. After decades in schools, Christine expanded her work into professional leadership coaching, combining her firsthand understanding of education with her training as an International Coaching Federation (ICF) credentialed coach. She partners with educators who are seeking clarity, sustainability, and strategies to continue doing meaningful work without losing themselves in the process. Christine believes some of the most valuable professional learning does not happen from a podium — it happens in conversation with people who understand the work. Through Job-Alike sessions and professional development experiences, she creates confidential spaces where counselors and school adjustment counselors can think out loud, explore real challenges, share perspective, and leave with practical strategies they can use immediately. Page 11
MASCA Governing Board and Staff Directory GOVERNING BOARD Chair:Cory McGann School Counseling Department Head Ashland High School Assistant Chair:Andrea Encarnacao School Counselor, Boston Latin School Board Members Mindy Cripps Director of School Counseling Billerica High School Nychele Clark School Adjustment Counselor Gardner High School Cynthia Esielionis School Counselor Ayer Shirley Regional Middle School Lori Ford School Counselor Edgartown School, Martha’s Vineyard Ali Robidoux Curriculum, Data, and Assessment Manager- School Counseling New Bedford Public Schools Jen Pinhal Early College School Counselor New Bedford High School Amanda Ugrinow School Counselor Westborough High School COMMITTEES Conference Ali Robidoux Curriculum, Data, and Assessment Manager- School Counseling New Bedford Public Schools Ethics Mindy Cripps Guidance Director, Billerica High School Fiscal Oversight Jen Pinhal Early College School Counselor New Bedford High School Government Relations & Advocacy Juliette Coatsworth School Counselor Foxborough Regional Charter School Fran Frederick School Adjustment Counselor Belchertown High School Culture & Climate Crew Amanda Berg School Adjustment Counselor Granby Elementary School Comprehensive School Counseling Jodi Then School Counselor Snowden International School, Boston Cynthia Esielionis School Counselor Ayer Shirley Regional Middle School
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Member Engagement Tama Lang School Counselor Litwin Elementary School, Chicopee Nomination and Bylaws Lori Ford School Counselor Edgartown School, Martha’s Vineyard Professional Recognition Dina Sibilia School Counselor West Springfield High School Tama Lang School Counselor Litwin Elementary School, Chicopee Public Relations Chris Soverow Retired School Counselor Research and Evaluation Christine Shaw Professor Merrimack College School Counselor Pipeline Jessica Almeida School Counselor Quinn Middle School, Hudson Jennifer McGuire College & Career Information Coordinator New Bedford Public Schools Strategic Planning Kerry Bartlett School Counselor Hudson High School Technology Committee Jennifer McGuire College & Career Information Coordinator New Bedford Public SchoolsA APPOINTED POSITIONS Executive Director & Membership Coordinator Bob Bardwell Secretary Julia Cahill-O’Shea School Counselor Hamilton- Wenham Regional HS Counselors Notebook & Tech Jean Atwater-Williams IT Consultant, BizTech Associates Mentoring Coordinator Maryanne Margiotta Career Facilitator Southwick Regional High School Program Review Coordinator Kari Denitzio PDP Coordinator Ali Robidoux Curriculum, Data, and Assessment Manager- School Counseling New Bedford Public Schools LIAISONS Counselor Educator Liaison Megan Krell Associate Professor Fitchburg State University
DESE Liaison Lisa Harney MA Dept of Elem & Sec Education Emerging Leader Liaisons Cory McGann School Counseling Department Head Ashland High School Courtney Royal School Counselor Gloucester High School Graduate Student Liaisons Ryan Beck Gradudate Student UMASS Amherst CC Cardinale Gradudate Student Boston University Jill Herron Gradudate Student Merrimack College Emerging Leaders Kelly Albrecht School Counselor Somerville High School Christina Borges School Counselor Westport Middle High School Julie Hopkinson School Adjustment Counselor Harry Lee Cole Elementary School, Boxford Aaron VandeKoppel School Adjustment Counselor NE Elementary School, Waltham SIG LEADERS Career/Technical Philippa Siegel School Counselor Putnam Vocational Technical Academy Maryrose O’Neil School Counselor Tantasqua Regional High School Kaitlin Monahan School Counselor Greater Lowell Technical High School School Counseling Directors Jenn Bullard School Counseling Director Dracut High School Elementary Lori Ford School Counselor Martha’s Vineyard Megan McShane School Counselor St Columbkille Partnership School Maura Ricardi School Adjustment Counselor East Street School, Ludlow Multilingual Learners Priscila Anderson School Counselor Woburn Memorial High School Matt Baione School Counselor Revere High School
Middle Level Dawn Martin School Counselor Qualters Middle School, Mansfield Jackie Saunders School Counselor Gibbs School, Arlington Michael Vaughan School Counselor Leicester Middle School Retirees Ruth Carrigan Retired School Counselor Chris Soverow Retired School Counselor School Adjustment Counselors/ School Social Worker Nychele Clark School Adjustment Counselor Gardner High School Kate Niedel Retired School Adjustment Counselor Anne Thidemann French Retired School Adjustment Counselor Secondary Nikki Amara School Counselor Cardinal Spellman Anthony Simmons School Counselor Atlantis Charter School, Fall River Shannon Mastropoalo School Counselor Needham High School Urban Rani Gould School Counselor The Academy at Kiley Middle School Sara Runkle School Counselor Kiley Prep Middle School, Springfield AFFINITY GROUP LEADERS Counselors of Color Jessica Descartes School Counselor Tech Boston Academy Andrea Encarnacao School Counselor Boston Latin School LGBTQ+ Jessica Almeida School Counselor Quinn Middle School, Hudson Mindy Cripps Director of School Counseling Billerica High School Julie Walker School Counselor Shepard Hill Regional High School, Dudley Book Club Coordinators Cynthia Esielionis School Counselor Ayer Shirley Regional Middle School Abby Leone-Murphy School Counselor Franklin High School
Counselor’s Notebook
ABOUT MASCA Mission Statement: The mission of MASCA is to elevate and advance the school counseling profession in Massachusetts through leadership, collaboration, visibility, and professional development to optimize student success. Vision Statement: The vision of MASCA is to equip school counseling professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to implement a comprehensive school counseling program in their school community. Through an equitable lens, we advocate that all K-12 Massachusetts students have access to a school counselor and the opportunity to become their best selves in school, their personal lives, and their communities. Core values: Advocacy - Committing to center the school counseling profession by highlighting and advancing the core values of school counselors, both individually and as a profession. Equity - Requiring inclusivity, diversity, and accessibility for all school counselors and the students and families they serve Collaboration – Working together with all stakeholders allows school counselors to deliver the highest quality school counseling program for all students. Excellence - Maintaining the highest level of professional standards and advancing the delivery of comprehensive school counseling programs (i.e.: MA Model) for all students. Strategic Objectives: Objective #1 - Advocacy - Position MASCA as a recognized, valuable, and respected voice at local, state, and regional levels by building the awareness of the importance and impact of the work and role of school counseling professionals. Objective #2 - Equity - Position MASCA as a leading organization in dismantling racist, sexist, homophobic, gendered, ableist, ageist, religious intolerance and other oppressive policies and practices while emphasizing the need for diversity and inclusion in school counseling personnel and programming. Objective #3 - Membership - Grow MASCA membership by retaining and engaging current members, and recruiting new members, with an on-going commitment to cultivate a more diverse membership. Objective #4 – Professional Development - Create, provide and/or promote relevant, high-quality, accessible, and timely professional development to meet the needs of our members and support the implementation of comprehensive school counseling programs. Objective #5 – School Counselor Pipeline - MASCA must address the increasing number of unfilled school counselor vacancies and reduction of candidates entering school counseling preparation programs.
Massachusetts School Counselor’s Association PO Box 351 Hampden, MA 01036 October 2026
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