Meet Your Camp Counselors!

BOB BARDWELL- Executive Director of MASCA

Growing up my mom was a school teacher so there was no need for me to go to summer camp for child care reasons but I did go to a day camp literally a mile from my house for one or two weeks one year, probably when I was 10.  While it was fun, I cannot say it was my favorite experience.

I am really looking forward to the MASCA School Counselor Summer Camp (SC2) because it combines the opportunity for summer professional development along with fun, networking with new colleagues and rejuvenation at a beautiful campus on the Atlantic Ocean.

Thank you for being part of this awesome PD event.  I hope you have a great experience and you will want to come back next year.

AMANDA UGRINOW- SC2  Co-Chairperson

Amanda Ugrinow is a Nationally Board Certified School Counselor, and is currently a school counselor at Westborough High School in Westborough MA. Amanda earned her School counselor master's degree at New York University, and her undergraduate degree in English and Secondary Education from Lesley University. Amanda grew up attending Girl Scout overnight Summer camps, and loves arts and crafts. In her free time, she is often playing with her two cats (Oswald and Moe), sewing, or cooking. Amanda can't wait to help others fill up their toolboxes and build upon their school counseling skills!

KATIE KOCHAN - SC2 Co-Chairperson

I am excited to be part of MASCA SC2 as a faculty member and to be in training as a co chair for next year. I am a high school counselor for Winchester Public Schools and have worked as a school counselor for five years. I earned my Master's degree in School Counseling from Salem State University and a Certificate of Advanced Studies in School Adjustment Counseling from Assumption University. I hold both School Counselor and School Adjustment Counselor licenses. In my free time, I enjoy reading, going to the beach, and exploring new places on the North Shore.

ALLISON BRANN

I am excited to be a part of MASCA SC2 as a new faculty member! Currently, I am a School Counselor at Royalston Community School. I received my Master's in Counseling from Fitchburg State University and I hold both School Counselor and School Adjustment Counselor licenses. In college, I worked as a Camp Counselor at several summer camps in New Hampshire and I am excited to return to the camp counselor role. Outside of summer camp, I love golfing, playing tennis, baking, and finding new restaurants to enjoy delicious food. 

LUCAS CORREIA-COVERT

Hi everyone! I am excited to be back for another MASCA Summer Camp. As a kid I attended different local day camps in my area, but never had the true summer camp experience. This is my first year serving as a faculty member for SC2. This is also my 8th year in the school counseling field, and my first year in my current role as an adjustment counselor at Bartlett High School in Webster. Despite working in the central region of the state, I currently reside in Ludlow.

In my spare time I have recently rekindled my passion for theater (come to think of it - I did go to theater camp one summer!), and also have developed a deep interest in spiritual and holistic healing.

Next year I will also be one of two co-presidents for the Western Mass Counselors Association (WMCA). I am deeply passionate about this important work that we all do, and I am very much looking forward to exchanging knowledge and having shared experiences with faculty and campers alike - as well as meeting new faces in the field and reuniting with folks from past summers.

SHANELLE FERNANDEZ 

Hello everyone, my name is Shanelle. I am a mother and I have the two most amazing boys, Immanuel 8, and Isaiah 6. I went to school and got my bachelor’s in criminal justice at Worcester State University. After working in corporate for 6 years and participating in a school to career mentoring program, I realized that I really wanted to work with students. After working in education for 5 years and truly feeling like counseling was my calling, I decided to pursue my Masters in School Counseling at Merrimack College. 

Fun fact: I was in the cribbage club in elementary school. 

DIANA FULLERTON 

I’m a School Adjustment Counselor at East Veterans Elementary School in Gloucester.  This is my 14th year working with younger children.  Their enthusiasm and joy about the simplest things makes me love my job.  A part of my job that feeds my creative side is being able to design social-emotional games and activities to play with my students.

I live in Salem with my 12 year old, my husband, and a house full of animals, including a dog, 2 cats, a bird, and a bearded dragon.  My son’s latest passions are soccer and fishing.  I like yoga, walking, and creating art from vintage refurbished items.

DEBORAH HEMPEL

I had some amazing and memorable experiences at an overnight summer camp when I was in middle school. This included meeting one of my best friends who became a life-long friend. I had the pleasure of attending the first annual MASCA school counselor summer camp last July, and I was hooked! I am excited to be involved with this year's summer camp. I live on Cape Cod with my husband and have been working as a school counselor at Sturgis Charter Public School for 11 years. We have 3 (mostly grown) children who keep leaving and returning home again. When I manage to find a little spare time, I am a crafter (knitting, sewing, and anything else that piques my interest), a beekeeper, and a pickleball player.

TAMA LANG 

This will be my 3rd year at Summer Camp! I am an Elementary School Counselor for Chicopee Public Schools, and have worked as a School Counselor for 25 years. The best part of being a School Counselor is that every day is different, and I look forward to the challenges and celebrations each day brings! I am a trained Breathe for Change yoga instructor and wellness facilitator, and I offer yoga and wellness strategies to students, families, and educators/colleagues. Fun fact – I was born in NYC, but grew up in Tokyo, Japan and am fluent in Japanese.