Department Members
Margaret "Meg" Walendin is the Interim Director of School Counseling at Wellesley High School. She began her tenure at Wellesley in 2010 after working for three years as a school counselor in Somerville, MA. Margaret graduated from the public schools in Winchester, MA and earned her M.Ed. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill after completing her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Brown University. Margaret is dual certified in school counseling and adjustment counseling and also holds a CAGS in School Leadership and Equity. When not working, Margaret enjoys running in the summers, skiing in the winters, and spending family time with her husband and two daughters. walendinm@wellesleyps.org, ext 4603. Ms. Walendin is a School Counselor for Bradford House.
BRADFORD HOUSE COUNSELORS
Marissa Coughlin joined the department in 2011 after seven years experience as a school counselor at Wilton High School in Wilton, Connecticut. Prior to her time in Wilton, she worked as a guidance counselor for three years in Melrose, MA. She holds a B.S. in Human Development and Family Relations from the University of Connecticut and a M.Ed. in School Counseling from Suffolk University. In addition to her role as counselor, Marissa has enjoyed co-curricular responsibilities such as the National Honor Society, Class Advisory, and Ski Club. coughlinm@wellesleyps.org, ext 4623.
William Harrington joined the department in 2023 as a long term substitute school counselor. Prior to joining the department at Wellesley, he interned in the counseling departments at Boston College High School and Somerville High School. He holds a B.A. in applied psychology and classical studies from Boston College and a M.A. in School Counseling from Boston College. Outside of school he enjoys running, spending time with his family, going to sports games, and traveling. harringtonw@wellesleyps.org ext: 4624
PERRIN HOUSE COUNSELORS
Kristi Stone graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a B.S. in Family Studies. She received her M.S. in Applied Educational Psychology and School Counseling from Northeastern University. After graduating from Northeastern, Kristi spent two years working at Arlington Catholic High School before joining the WHS department in 2005. Outside of WHS, Kristi enjoys spending time with her family and friends. stonek@wellesleyps.org, ext 4625.
John Steere A 1997 graduate of WHS, John joined the department in 2008. He holds a B.A. in Sociology from Washington College of Maryland and a M.Ed in Counseling Psychology/School Counseling from Boston College. John earned his Ed.D from Northeastern University in Educational Leadership in June 2018. He has served as Vice President of the Massachusetts School Counselor Association (MASCA) and is our liaison to the NCAA Clearinghouse Eligibility Center. steerej@wellesleyps.org, ext 4657.
Julie Trask came to Wellesley in 1998 after working for three years as a counselor at an adolescent residential treatment center. She earned her B.A. from The State University of New York at Buffalo with a major in Psychology and Health and Human Service and her M.Ed in School Counseling from Suffolk University. She earned her M.Ed in Organizational Management from Endicott College. Julie and her husband have two college students. In her spare time, she loves running and spending time with her family and dogs. traskj@wellesleyps.org, ext 4633.
PHILLIPS HOUSE COUNSELORS
Annis Chwalek is joining the department as a long term substitute school counselor for Meg Walendin. Annis previously worked at WHS as a long term substitute from 2020 - 2022, and prior to that interned at Wellesley during the 2018-2019 school year. She holds a B.A. in Physics and Women's Studies from Hamilton College and a M.A. in School Counseling from Lesley University. Outside of school she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and attending her kids' hockey games. chwaleka@wellesleyps.org ex. 4650.
Janet Sozio graduated with a B.S. in Dance Education from the University of Georgia and completed her M.A. in School Counseling at Boston College. She began working as a school counselor at Wellesley High School in 2001 after spending three years at Wellesley Middle School. She is also the director of the WHS Moving Company and the newly formed WHS Rhythm Project. In 2008, Ms. Sozio was recognized as the MAHPERD Dance Educator of the Year. In addition to her responsibilities as school counselor and dance educator, Ms. Sozio has traveled with WHS students to various parts of the world over several summers and school breaks. Outside of school, she is a free lance dancer, performing and teaching when time permits in the Boston area. She is also a certified Rhythm Works Integrative Dance instructor. sozioj@wellesleyps.org, ext 4649.
Diego Contreras graduated from the State University of New York at Albany with a Bachelors of Arts in Sociology and received his M Ed.in School Counseling from Lincoln Memorial University. After working at the New York State Education Department, he began working as a school counselor in Knoxville, TN and more recently was a bilingual school counselor at Salem High School. He joined the WHS department in 2020. In addition to school counseling, Diego is a high school wrestling coach and has won individual and team championships in Tennessee and Massachusetts. Diego enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter and their two dogs. contrerasd@wellesleyps.org, ext 4648.
OUTREACH WORKERS
(pending appointment) is Wellesley High School’s outreach worker from Human Relations Service woking with the WHS students and families. ext 4653
Alice Goodrich, LICSW is Wellesley High School's School Social Worker working with students in the Perrin House. Prior to joining WHS, Alice worked as the Clinical Team Manager at McLean Hospital. She holds her MSW from Boston University, an Addictions Counselor Education Program Certificate from UMass Boston and is a Licensed Social Worker. goodricha@wellesleyps.org, ext 4658
THE BRIDGE PROGRAM
Adam Diliberto grew up in Wellesley and graduated from Wellesley High School in 1998. Prior to teaching he worked on the radio as a dj at MAGIC 106.7. He has taught radio courses at Emerson College, Boston University, and the Connecticut School of Broadcasting. Prior to teaching in Wellesley he worked at Arlington High School and Learning Prep High School. Adam received his B.S. (public relations) from Emerson College, his M.Ed. (special education) from Lesley University, and his Ed.D. (educational leadership) from Cambridge College. dilibertoa@wellesleyps.org, ext 4617
Lindsay Yamaguchi is a Licensed Social Worker and Clinical Coordinator for the Bridge Program at Wellesley High School. She previously worked at Human Relations Service, Cambridge Rindge and Latin School and Gould Farm Therapeutic Home. Lindsey received her BA in Literature from University of California Santa Cruz and her MSW and MEd from Boston University. She has over 15 years of experience working in schools with teens and their families. yamaguchil@wellesleyps.org, ext 4617.
TESTING COORDINATOR
Jennifer "Jen" Culver culverj@wellesleyps.org, ext 4605
SCHOOL COUNSELING ASSISTANTS
Anne North is the Secretary to the Director of School Counseling. Additionally she assists the following counselors- Dr Steere, Ms Trask, Ms Walendin, Ms Sozio (northa@wellesleyps.org, ext 4608
Lucretia Burns is the Registrar/Receptionist/ College Representative Coordinator. Additionally she assists the following counselors - Ms Coughlin, Ms Barrell, Ms Stone, Mr Contreras. burnsl@wellesleyps.org, ext 4601