Counseling Team

Born and raised in the culturally diverse Jackson Heights, and raised in an Ecuadorian household, I learned about the importance of family as well as the importance of lending a helping hand when the opportunity arises. It was working at a preschool in Queens where I found my interest in helping children who were going through difficult times. Shortly after, while employed as the Family Worker at an elementary school in South Ozone Park, I entered the School Counseling Graduate Program at Hunter College and in 2021 graduated with a Master's degree in School Guidance Counseling. I am excited to have completed my practicum and internship at MELS, and to join the team as a Counselor! In my free time, I enjoy outdoor activities such as biking, as well as, watching movies, reading, exercising, and trying new foods. 

Working as a counselor at MELS continues to be an incredible experience! Previously, I had taught science for 10 years at a middle school in Forest Hills. My experiences there led me to get my counseling degree in order to work even more with students on socio-emotional health.  At MELS, my roles include direct and indirect student support, helping students with the HS Application process , providing academic support, helping students understand their transcripts, career exploration, and  focusing overall on building confidence and promoting self-awareness. 

I've been working at MELS as the Senior Counselor since September of 2014.  In that time, I have supported all of the graduating classes as they made their plans for life after MELS.  Prior to MELS, I was a College/Career Counselor at New Heights Academy in Washington Heights and in a former life, I worked as an editor for a publishing company.  I am always excited to work with seniors and their families at such a pivotal time in life. 

As a School Social Worker, I work to help identify and address students' and families' needs in order to ensure wellness, including mental health. I firmly believe mental health is and should always be a priority.  

I was born in the Dominican Republic and I grew up in Jamaica, Queens.  Being able to serve and work alongside such a diverse community is truly a rewarding experience for me.  I LOVE to learn about different cultures, spend time with loved ones, read, listen to true crime podcasts, and be in nature. 

My name is Jasmin Gil, and I am currently pursuing my Master of Social Work (MSW) at York College. I am very excited to begin my internship at MELS. I look forward to learning from the team and getting to know the students. 

I have always had a strong passion for working with children and being someone they can feel comfortable with and supported by. I began my career in Early Intervention, where I had the opportunity to work with families. My experience in Early Intervention has been incredibly meaningful and has helped me realize how much I want to work more directly with children, which is one of the reasons I decided to pursue my MSW.

During my internship, I hope to learn more about school social work and gain a better understanding of how social workers support students academically, socially, and emotionally. I am excited about the opportunity to build genuine relationships with students, listen to their experiences, and be a positive and supportive person they can turn to.

Coming soon...