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. 

Hi, my name is Mr. G. I am a school counseling intern at MELS. I have a passion for motorsports which includes going to racetracks or watching events with my kids and was also invested in my automotive career for some time. I enjoy the open road while I’m driving or on my sports bike. When I’m not doing that, I enjoy reading and working out as well as traveling the world with my family. For a while, I believed my career path was going to be in automotive industry but in the recent years my passion went from automotive to counseling. I am currently completing my masters degree in counseling with an advanced certificate in mental health at Alfred University. For a while, I questioned how I could have a positive impact on someone's life in ways that I did not receive while I was growing up. That question is what led me to start my journey as a future counselor. Not being able to experience a safe environment throughout my academic journey made me think about those who are experiencing the same thing. I would like to help in that area of someone’s life so that students can look back and possibly say that Mr. G encouraged me to be a forward-thinking person!

Currently, I'm a Macaulay Honors student at Queens College pursuing a bachelor's degree in Secondary Education. I am also a MELS Alumni from the Class of 2023! I will be at MELS during the 2024-2025 school year working in the College Counseling Office alongside Ms. Benzvi, supporting Seniors through the application process. Looking forward to getting to know and collaborating with everyone.  

Hi MELS community, 

My name is Ericka Lagrange, I am a School Counseling intern from Hunter College, and I am excited about joining the counseling team at MELS for the 2025-2026 school year. I am originally from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. I earned my bachelor's degree in Psychology and Hispanic Studies from Connecticut College in 2020. I have experience working with children and teenagers as I worked as a child-welfare case planner for four years. At MELS, I hope to continue helping our youth develop better coping skills and encouraging them to always be their best selves.

I consider myself an advocate of self-care because, in order to put our best foot forward, we must take care of our physical, mental, and emotional health. Some of my favorite things to do are: spending time with family, drinking tea and playing sudoku. I look forward to being part of such an amazing school community and having a positive impact on the students! :) 

Coming soon...

My name is Rohinie Persaud, and I am currently pursuing a Master of Social Work degree at York College. I earned my bachelor's degree in psychology in May 2025, which has provided me with a strong foundation in understanding human behavior and mental health.

My professional experience includes working as a pharmacy technician for five years, where I developed skills in attention to detail, communication, and patient support. For the past six months, I have been working as a behavioral therapist, gaining hands on experience in supporting children on the spectrum and families through evidence-based interventions. In addition, I worked as a tour guide at York College for one semester, where I had the opportunity to introduce students from grades 3K through 12th grade to higher education, inspiring and preparing them to pursue future career paths.

As a social work intern, I look forward to applying my academic knowledge and diverse professional experiences to serve those around me and communities with empathy, respect, and dedication. My goal is to grow as a compassionate, culturally competent social worker while making a meaningful impact in the lives of those I work with.

Hi, my name is Brianna Reyes. I am currently pursuing my Master’s degree in School Counseling at Hunter College. I am a first-generation Dominican American, born and raised in Queens. Outside of school, I work as a front desk receptionist at a physical therapy clinic, where I also handle insurance matters. On a personal note, I have a bunny named Benito, who is my biggest inspiration, and I enjoy spending my free time caring for my grandmother and being there for others.

For this internship, I will be working with both middle school and high school students throughout the year. My goal is to build meaningful connections with students, provide additional support, and grow through this learning experience. I am truly excited and can’t wait to begin supporting the MELS community.

Hello MELS Community,

My name is Gabriela Rodriguez, and I am excited to be joining you this year as a school counseling practicum student! I am a first-generation Dominican American and a proud native of Queens. I also work at CUNY Guttman Community College as an Academic Success Liaison, assisting students on academic probation in getting back on track.  I am currently pursuing my MSEd in school counseling at CUNY Brooklyn College, and this practicum is an important step in my journey to becoming a school counselor. During my time here, I hope to work closely with students to offer support academically, emotionally, and in their personal growth. I am looking forward to getting to know each of you and help continue growing a positive and supportive environment here at MELS. I am excited to be a part of such a wonderful school community!