The mission of the Roselle Schools Counseling Department is to provide for the educational, career, and social/emotional needs of our students. Our counselors work in collaboration with staff, parents, and our community, in order to strengthen the whole student. We strive to develop their decision-making; to encourage students’ exploration of their interests; to broaden their awareness of themselves and the community/world around them; and to realize their potential in creating and achieving goals and opportunities in the future. The counselors strive to enable students to acquire the educational and social competencies needed for their growth toward lifelong success and effective, responsible citizenship in a diverse and changing world.
Why we exist
The school counselor's role is to foster personal responsibility in students as they work toward becoming successful 21st-century citizens. The mission of our school counseling program is to support all students through a comprehensive and developmental approach by addressing academic, career, personal/social skills necessary to achieve quality learning and lifelong success as directed by the Roselle School District and the New Jersey Department of Education.
Our plans for the future
The Roselle Schools Counseling department strives to continuously improve its role in the school and community as facilitators of change; leaders of school improvement; partners in educational excellence; coordinators of collaborative community efforts and managers of student competency attainment.
About Us
Our School Counselors are all members of the American School Counselors Association, New Jersey School Counselors Association, and the Union County School Counselors Association, as well as, the National Association for College Admissions Counselors, National Association of Social Work and New Jersey Association of College Admissions Counselors. All counselors enjoy working with a wonderful team of caring professionals whose mission is to deliver a comprehensive counseling program that helps all students understand themselves better and strive towards their potential.
College Partnerships and Affiliations with Abraham Clark High School
Abraham Clark High School is pleased to have affiliations with four colleges and universities to help students prepare for college and careers post -graduation from high school. The following is a listing of college affiliations with a description of each affiliation:
Middle College Program with Fairleigh Dickinson University- this unique program allows ACHS students to take college level courses during their school day and receive dual college credits. The school district finances this program that allows the students to take the courses tuition free. The college credits can be transferred to any college or university of their choice upon graduation if they are successful on their course work taken at ACHS and make the academic criteria of the attending college post -graduation. The program also allows the students to use any of Fairleigh Dickinson’s facilities, libraries and attend extracurricular activities held on the college campus. Students are often taken to the university on field trips and have guest lectures from university professors. If the student chooses to attend Fairleigh Dickinson University upon graduation from high school they can receive a partial scholarship to be applied to their tuition for being a participant in this program. Each of the courses offered are three college credits. The following courses are offered in conjunction with Fairleigh Dickinson University:
AP History
AP Chemistry
AP Biology
AP Literature
AP Spanish
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey Health Sciences Careers Program- This is a joint program between UMDNJ and Abraham Clark High School to allow students to gain valuable college credits and clinical experience to prepare them for a career in the health field. Students take four courses in a sequence as part of the Health Occupations Program at Abraham Clark High School and receive clinical experience in health care settings and also obtain tuition free college credits with UMDNJ. These credits can be applied to any college or university of their choice post- graduation from high school if the students are successful in their academic grades and fulfills the requirements of the university and school district. The following courses are offered in conjunction with UMDNJ:
Dynamics of Health Care in Society/Health Occupations- 3 college credits
This course allows students the unique opportunity to gain over 180 hours of clinical experience in three different health care settings during the school year and gain college credits with UMDNJ.
Emergency & Clinical Care 2 College credits
Students also gain CPR and AED certification as part of this course.
Anatomy & Physiology I - 4 College credits
Medical Math- 3 College credits Dynamics of Nutrition- 3 College credits
Union County College - Through a partnership with Union County College and Abraham Clark High School students are able to take college courses during the extended school day after school. The high school has become an extension site for the local community college allowing students take courses in their own school without the worry of transportation. All of the courses are three college credits and the students can transfer these college credits to any college or university of their choice post- graduation from high school. The following courses will be financed through SIG grant funding to allow the students to take the courses tuition free:
General Psychology 3
College credits Computer Systems 3
College credits General Sociology 3 College credits
Pharmacy Technician (This is a course that prepares students for certification and no college credits are offered through this program. Taking the course allows students the opportunity to be prepared to take state and national examinations to become nationally certified in the field.)
Kean University- This is a joint program with Kean University and Abraham Clark High School that helps prepare students for a career in the field of Teaching. Students attend workshops at Kean University along with taking courses at Abraham Clark High School to prepare them to become teachers. No college credit is offered through this program.
Kindergarten and Elementary Schools
Ms. Chantea Benson
Ms. Benson is the guidance counselor and anti-bullying specialist at the Kindergarten Success Academy. She has worked at the KSA as the school counselor since 2011. Ms. Benson received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from St. John Fisher College in Rochester, NY. She later enrolled in the M.A. program at Seton Hall University where she received her master’s degree in school counseling. Her transition into the field of counseling was fueled by her passion for working with youth. Ms. Benson is a member of the NJ School Counselor Association. Outside of the school setting, Ms. Benson enjoys spending time with her two sons, family, and friends.
Ms. Christine Cutinello
Ms. Cutinello has been a member of the Roselle Guidance department since 2017. She is eager to meet her new students, along with continuing to develop a rapport with her existing students. Miss Cutinello received her M.A. in Counseling from Kean University, which has prepared her to assist students and their families with scholastic, social and emotional issues/concerns. She is also a member of the NJ School Counselors Association and the American School Counselors Association giving Ms. Cutinello a plethora of resources to best assist her students and their families. Miss Cutinello aspires to work together with staff, students and the community to create a clean, safe, positive and supportive learning environment!
Ms. Jasmine Martin
Ms. Jasmine Martin is an Elementary School Counselor, as well as the HIB Specialist for Dr. Charles C. Polk Elementary School. Ms. Martin attended The College of New Jersey in Ewing, NJ where she double majored in Elementary Education and Psychology. She then went on to received her Master’s of Arts degree in Counseling from New Jersey City University in Jersey City, NJ. Ms. Martin is also a Licensed Associate Counselor and provides clinical therapeutic services for a mental health agency. She is a National Board Certified Counselor, a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and a member of the New Jersey School Counselor Association. Outside of work, Ms. Martin enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends.
Mr. Jason Robbins
Mr. Robbins has been the School Counselor at Washington Elementary School since 2010. Before then, he did his internship at Abraham Clark High School in Roselle from February 2009 until May 2010. Mr. Robbins takes pride in getting to know each and every student so that he can greet each student either when they enter the building or pass him in the hallway. Mr. Robbins received a B.A. in Psychology and Criminal Justice from Indiana University and Ed.M. and School Counseling Certification from Rutgers University.
Middle Schools
Ms. Tiffany Blurete
Ms. Blurete is the newest addition to the counseling department at Leonard V. Moore Middle School. She worked in the mental health field for several years while obtaining her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology at Rutgers-Newark, and then Monmouth University for her Masters in School Counseling and Professional Counseling. Ms. Blurete gained experience working with the early middle school population during her internship (which she also did at LV Moore!) and has been an advocate ever since. Outside of work, Ms. Blurete loves to spend time with her dog, Buckley, watch movies, and make greeting cards.
Ms. Dgyna Lorquet
Mrs. Lorquet is a Middle School Counselor, an Anti-Bullying Specialist, I&RS Co-Chair.
She has been a school counselor for the past 17 years. Before she became a school counselor, Mrs. Lorquet was a Substance Abuse Clinician at Trinitas Hospital, Prior to that she was an Information Technology Manager at Magruder Color in Elizabeth, NJ.
Mrs. Lorquet attended City College of New York where she earned a BA degree in Health Administration. She later enrolled at Chubb Institute for Computer Science. She enrolled at Kean University and earned a BA in Psychology, then an MA in Social Work. Then she earned her Supervisory Certificate in 2007. Mrs. Lorquet is a License Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) a Notary Public. She received the Governor’s Educator of the Year Program for Educational Services Professional in 2014. She is a member of the National Association of Social Work. American Society of Notaries. Mrs. Lorquet enjoys working out, traveling around the world, spending time with family and friends and playing chess.
Ms. Rebecca RIchardson
Mrs. Rebecca Richardson is one of two Grace Wilday Junior High School Professional School Counselors. She has been with the district since 2003 in various positions but Ms. Richardson’s career began at ACHS as the Certified Athletic Trainer where she worked with all the athletes keeping the healthy and ready for the courts and the field. She began teaching Health and Physical Education, as well as acting as the Teen PEP advisor in 2007. Ms. Richardson’s passion for helping students in and out of the classroom led her to obtain her Masters in School Counseling from Kean University. She also holds a Bachelor’s in Exercise Science and Sports Studies from Rutgers University. Ms. Richardson moved to Grace Wilday as the School Counselor in March 2018 and is invested in helping the students reach their maximum potential. Outside of her professional responsibilities, Ms. Richardson enjoys spending time with her family.
Mr. Jason Hernandez
Mr. Hernandez is the newest addition to the counseling department at Grace Wilday Junior High School. Mr. Hernandez holds a Bachelor’s degree in History with a minor in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Counseling with a concentration in School Counseling from Montclair State University. Mr. Hernandez gained experience by interning at a middle school in Perth Amboy, NJ and also worked as a mentor/counselor at a city mentorship program in Perth Amboy working with adolescents in the middle and high school age group. Mr. Hernandez is passionate about education and hopes to make a difference in as many students lives as possible. Mr. Hernandez enjoys spending time with family and friends, and watches movies and listens to music on his down time.
High School
Ms. Sisly Cooper
Ms. Cooper has been working at ACHS since 2017, she hold a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Kean University and a Master’s in School Counseling from Montclair State University. Prior to joining the ACHS team, Ms. Cooper completed her School Counseling internship with the Montclair School District. She had been working with students with disabilities for approximately six years prior to completion of her Master’s degree. Although she calls East Orange home, Ms. Cooper is a proud Trinidadian. She enjoys listening to Soca music, watching documentaries and reading romance novels. Nothing fulfills Ms. Cooper more than helping her students plan their life after high school.
Ms. Nicole Iannotta
Ms. Nicole Iannotta is the newest school counselor at Abraham Clark High School. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Foreign Language with a concentration in Spanish Language and Literature from Monmouth University and a Master’s Degree in School Counseling from Monmouth University. Prior to joining the ACHS team, Ms. Iannotta completed internships and school counseling experiences in school districts throughout Monmouth, Hudson and Essex County. Ms. Iannotta enjoys helping students and being their number one advocate whenever they need assistance. In her free time, Ms. Iannotta enjoys spending time with her family and hanging out with her dog, Charley.
Mr. Jordan T. Siegel
Mr. Siegel has been part of the Roselle community his entire life. He is an alumnus of the Roselle school district and graduated from Abraham Clark in 1983. Mr. Siegel has been a member of the Roselle School Counseling Department since 2007. He is looking forward to the start of his 12th year as a counselor-educator, eager to meet his new students, along with continuing to develop a rapport with his existing students. His B.A. in Labor Studies and Ed.M. in Educational Psychology have prepared him to assist students and their families with scholastic, social and career issues/concerns that may arise. Mr. Siegel was awarded the Union County Unity Award for Education by the Union County Freeholders and was a nominee for Life Changer of the Year in 2016-2017. The development of a student’s social/emotional skills and leadership skills has been a cornerstone of Mr. Siegel’s counseling, he has developed groups such as the Nike Career Group, Validating Mentors Group, and the ACHS Dungeons & Dragons Group. He is also a member of the NJ School Counselors Association, The Union County School Counselors Association, and American School Counselors Association.
Ms. Lola Williams
Ms. Williams is a School Counselor at the Abraham Clark High School (ACHS). Before coming to ACHS, she served as a School Counselor with the Newark Public Schools and as a Counselor at the New Jersey Institute of Technology Center for Pre-College Programs. In all, Ms. Williams has over fifteen years of experience in counseling middle school and high school aged students. She holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Bloomfield College and a Master’s in School Counseling from Seton Hall University.
Her career as a school counselor has truly been rewarding. Ms. Williams enjoys working with students, teachers, the administrative team and parents who each play a critical role in the student’s academic success. She is a strong believer in expecting and encouraging each student to have a growth mindset; anything is possible with effort and determination. In her free time, Ms. Williams enjoys spending time with family and friends, participating in community service events, singing, and writing. She is a published author of children’s book entitled, her first one was: Crabbella, the Rescue. Ms. Williams office door remains open for counseling and all are welcome.
Student Assistance Counselor
Mrs. Kristen Soos
Mrs. Soos is the new Student Assistance Counselor (SAC) at ACHS. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Scranton and then went on to complete her Master's Degree in Education specializing in secondary school counseling at Bucknell University. While working on her graduate studies, Mrs. Soos developed an interest in substance prevention and program development and obtained her NJ SAC certification from Kean University. Mrs. Soos began working as a Student Assistance Counselor in 1997 and quickly developed a passion for teaching students how to make positive life choices and develop healthy coping skills. She now has almost 20 years experience in the SAC role working with students from grades K-12 and truly enjoys engaging with students both in the classroom and individually for personal counseling. Mrs. Soos' mission is to promote social-emotional wellness so that students can successfully work through any issues that may negatively impact them. Her goal is to be a support and a resource to the students and families of ACHS so that they have all the tools they need to achieve their academic and personal goals.
In her free time, Mrs. Soos loves spending time with her family, friends, and Golden Retriever. She also enjoys listening to all kinds of music, going to the beach, and stand up comedy.
Crisis Counselor
Mr. Antoine Patterson
Mr. Patterson is the Crisis Counselor at ACHS. He attended St. Francis University, Pa where he earned his Bachelor’s Criminal Justice. Over the years, Mr Patterson had the opportunity to work in a variety of different settings dealing with youth, and gained valuable experiences from all of them. While working with the adolescent population in a youth shelter in New York as well as in group homes in New Jersey, he gained a passion for working with children and families.
These experiences, lead Mr Patterson to a career working in the schools, where he could be an effective role model for students. At that time he started to pursue the State of New Jersey Social Worker Certification at Montclair State University. Mr. Patterson was hired in 1999, at Abraham Clark High School as a Crisis Intervention Counselor. In his 19 years of experience at Abraham Clark, he has served in many different capacities outside of the counseling role, such as: Freshman Class Advisor, Peer Group Advisor, Freshman & Varsity Assistant Basketball Coach, Freshman Football Coach, Track & Field Coach. As a coach, Mr. Patterson has had the opportunity to shape and mold many of my young athletes into positive productive individuals. As an educator, there are many challenges, as well as rewards on a daily basis. Mr. Patterson continues to enjoy working with students, families and the Roselle Community as a whole, while also assisting in helping students in making relationships that will allow them to grow into respective young adults.
Susan Nogaj Matteson
Director of Counseling & Guidance
District Anti-Bullying Coordinator
Maricarmen Oropeza
Secretary
moropeza@roselleschools.org
908.298.2000 x2009
Jermina Bagley
Secretary
jbagley@roselleschools.org
908.298.2000 x3340