TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON, N.J.—Congratulations to the New Jersey School Counselor Association’s Bergen County Counselor of the County 2021, Maureen Colombo.
The recognition was made at the 35th annual NJSCA Counselor of the County Awards Program, held this year March 19 at a virtual luncheon. Lunches were delivered to the winners along with their awards.
Nominations for the School Counselor of the Year awards program are submitted by the state school counselor associations. State representatives were selected based on school counseling innovations, effective school counseling programs, leadership and advocacy skills and contributions to student advancement.
Richard Wong, Ed.D., executive director, American School Counselor Association, said school counselors make significant contributions to the overall well-being of students and their success. “They have unique qualifications and skills that allow them to address students’ academic achievement, career development and social/emotional needs.”
Colombo, a Township of Washington trustee at the Westwood Regional School District, works for Lyndhurst Middle School. The honor is for “the outstanding support she provides her students and the Lyndhurst community, especially during this unprecedented year.”
She’s lived in the township for the past 11 years and previously lived in Westwood for more than a decade. She is married with a young daughter and son.
Her principal at Lyndhurst Middle School, Shana L. Wright, added congratulations of her own, noting that Colombo is more than an award-winning counselor:
“Maureen serves on a multitude of committees, playing an integral role in each. She provides valuable insight as a member of the I&RS Team, working with fellow team members to gather data and assess student progress in the areas of academic, social and emotional development.
She also is the stigma-free coordinator for her school, and has developed many activities to bring mental health awareness to the community at large.
Wright said, “She regularly shares innovative ideas and big-picture plans to help bring our students and staff together. It was her idea to create an ‘Under the Mask’ video at the start of the year as a way to introduce families to the staff.”
And, said Wright, Colombo worked diligently with other Student Services team members to develop and deliver a ‘Coping with Middle Schoolers During a Pandemic’ presentation. “Together, they also designed a Winter Fun Day before the holiday break and incredible socially relevant and racially inclusive lessons for Share the Love Day before the winter break.”
She said, “Not only did Maureen provide ideas for starting the LMS Coast Guard—a program whereby LMS counselors, CST and administrators visited the homes of students during the extensive remote learning period and shared incentives for them to connect with others at school, and AIP, the academic intervention program geared toward helping struggling students when onsite learning was not possible—she implemented them and then reached out to give the programs the positive PR they were due.”
Wright said Colombo is “looking far and wide for interesting professionals to devise an amazing video Career Day program for our students. Clearly, Maureen is a consummate team player, always seeking the good in every situation and willing to go the extra mile to make things even better. LMS is lucky to have her.”
Colombo, who also helps run Daisy Group 98195, has a master’s degree in school counseling from Montclair State University, a bachelor’s degree in English/communication from Seton Hall University, and was a full tuition athletic scholarship recipient.
In her 10th year as a K–12 school counselor with the Lyndhurst School District, she’s an anti-bully specialist, NCAA coordinator, Students with Disabilities coordinator, 504 case manager, and NJSLA coordinator
In 2016 she received Bergen County American Legion Outstanding Commendation and Lyndhurst American Legion Educator of the Year awards
She’s also been assistant director of admissions at Felician University, a swim team coach, and a 1:1 teacher’s aide.
This year’s New Jersey School Counselor of the Year is Jillian Shadis, from New Providence High School from the New Providence School District. She will represent New Jersey at the national School Counselor of the Year events managed by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) in early 2022
Wright reinforced NJSCA’s rationale for bestowing its countywide honor on Colombo: “Maureen is a dedicated and compassionate counselor who combines her understanding of young people with her creative talents to make all those in her presence feel both welcome and a part of something bigger.”
She said, “Beginning over the summer, Maureen went above and beyond the requirements of her position to ensure that Lyndhurst Middle School was ready to open in September. This necessitated countless hours of conversation with administrators and colleagues regarding a new schedule, previously unused aspects of the student information system and strategic plans to place students in classes that fit their needs.”
At every turn, Colombo had the students’ best interests in mind, said Wright.
“Even before the school doors opened, she went out of her way to meet those she did not know, regularly setting up Zooms and phone calls to see and hear from our middle-schoolers and their families. She has many connections in a variety of areas and regularly reaches out to them in support of students.”
She added, “Maureen has allayed fears, calmed nerves, encouraged passion and forged relationships. During these unusual times, students and parents are comforted knowing they have an advocate in their counselor.”
At the WWRSD school board, Colombo serves on committees for policy and governance and negotiations.