Counselor’s Notebook

"All Good Things..."

By Jennifer McGuire, Board Chair 2022 -2023

There is definitely truth to the proverb “all good things must come to an end.” My term as Board Chair for the Massachusetts School Counselors Association will expire at the end of the month. But for me, June 30, 2023 means the end of much more than my year as chair. June 30th will also mark the end of six consecutive years as a voting member of MASCA. (Not to worry, though! While you will no longer have the privilege of reading my front page musings in the Counselors Notebook, I do intend to remain involved as the Technology Chair for the immediate future. I am not that easy to get rid of!)

I want to thank all of you– the school counselors, school counselor educators, and school counselor allies that make up the Massachusetts School Counselors Association–for trusting me to represent our association. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve you. I also want to acknowledge the other voting board members I have served with, the many committee chairs and appointed positions, and especially Jean for her help with all of my articles. I would be remiss if I did not give a shout out to Donna Brown and Bob Bardwell, the two Executive Directors of MASCA during my recent consecutive terms.

The past six years have been… well, different than what I expected! Back in the

Jennifer McGuire Board Chair 2022-2023

winter of 2017, someone reached out to me and asked me if I would consider running for the board again. After several years without a position on the board, I was excited about the opportunity to volunteer my time with our professional association. It was exciting to jump back into MASCA leadership and to see how far the organization had come since my first stint as president in 2007-2008. I did not anticipate two terms as president/board chair. I could not have even dreamed up the possibility of a global pandemic. And I also did not envision changing jobs. A lot has happened in a short amount of time!

Being on the MASCA board has been incredibly rewarding for me. (Again, if you are considering getting involved just a little bit, I cannot emphasize enough that you will never regret it!) There is something really special about being involved with an organization that is constantly trying to do better on behalf of its members. I am especially proud of the work that the MASCA board has done, and continues to do, around diversity, equity, and inclusion. I know that I have benefited as a school counselor and as a school leader from the work that I have been fortunate to do as part of the MASCA leadership.

Our organization has continued to grow and change during this time period. Every time we meet as a board, and I listen to the reports from various committees, and the perspectives that are shared by individuals serving in various capacities, I am reminded that MASCA is truly an organization that wants to serve its members. MASCA offers so much to the membership–there is truly something for everyone– from SIGs to Book Clubs to mentoring programs, and now, Summer Camp. When challenges come up, MASCA does not hold back. Rather, MASCA figures out a way to keep moving forward despite the challenges. The MASCA leadership truly embraces a growth mindset.

I have developed many new professional connections during my time on the board. Even with the move to many more virtual meetings than in person meetings, I have managed to collaborate with and learn from individuals across the state that have helped me to stretch my thinking. I am grateful for these individuals who are not only colleagues but also friends.

Finishing this term is bittersweet. Certainly, no longer having the responsibility as the board chair will provide me with some more time for family. I also feel really good about where the organization is right now, where the focus is for the future, and the pipeline of MASCA leaders that are coming up due to active initiatives, like the Graduate Student Liaisons and the Emerging Leaders Program. Despite all of these wonderful points, it is still sad to let go and move on.

As you wrap up the school year, I wish you a restful, enjoyable, and rejuvenating summer. I hope you are able to take some time for yourself and to spend time with the important people in your life.

And to quote Winnie the Pooh, “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”

Board Members:

Jennifer McGuire, Chair jmcguire @ newbedfordschools.org

College & Career Information Coordinator

New Bedford Public Schools

Mindy Cripps, Assistant Chair mcripps @ billericak12.com

Guidance Director, Billerica High School

Dana Catarius catariusd @ westboroughk12.org

School Counselor, Anne Fales E.S., Westborough

Ed Connor econnor @ dean.edu

Executive Director of Admissions, Dean College

Jessica Descartes jdescartes @ bostonpublicschools.org

School Counselor, Tech Boston Academy

Cynthia Esielionis cesielionis @ asrsd.org

School Counselor, Ayer Shirley Regional Middle School

Lori Ford lford @ mlkcs.org

School Adjustment Counselor, MLK Jr. Charter School

Cory McGann cmcgann @ ashland.K12.ma.us

Barbara Meyer bmeyer @ miltonps.org

Director of Guidance, Gr. 6-12, Milton Public Schools

Committee Chairs:

Ruth Carrigan, Conference Committee

Ruth.Carrigan @ whrsd.k12.ma.us

Director of School Counseling, Whitman-Hansen Regional High School

Mindy Cripps, Ethics Commitee mcripps @ billericak12.com

Guidance Director, Billerica High School

Ed Connor, Fiscal Oversight Committee econnor @ dean.edu

Executive Director of Admissions, Dean College

Juliette Coatsworth, Government Relations & Advocacy Committee juliette.nori @ gmail.com

School Counselor, Foxborough Regional Charter School

Andrea Encarnacao, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Access Committee aencarnacao @ bostonpublicschools.org

School Counselor, Boston Latin School

Manjula Karamcheti, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Access Committee mkaramcheti @ gmail.com

Director of Equity and Student Support, Woodrow Wilson

Graduate School of Teaching and Learning

Tyeshia Weir, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Access Committee weirt @ springfieldpublicschools.com

School Counselor, RISE Academy

Dave Elsner, MA Model Committee delsner @ medwayschools.org

School Counseling Coordinator, Medway Public Schools

Cynthia Esielionis. MA Model Committee cesielionis @ asrsd.org

School Counselor, Ayer Shirley Regional Middle School

Kerry Bartlett, Member Services Committee kabartlett @ hudson.k12.ma.us

School / Career Counselor, Hudson High School

Barbara Meyer, Member Services Committee bmeyer @ miltonps.org

Director of Guidance, Gr. 6-12, Milton Public Schools

Lori Ford, Nomination and Bylaws Committee lford @ mlkcs.org

School Adjustment Counselor, MLK Jr. Charter School

Julia Cahill-O'Shea, Professional Recognition Committee j.cahill-oshea @ hwschools.net

School Counselor, Hamilton- Wenham Regional H.S.

Dina Sibila, Professional Recognition Committe sibilia @ wsps.org

School Counselor, West Springfield High School