Meet the Department
School Counselors
School Counselors provide all students comprehensive social/emotional, academic, and post-secondary counseling, as well guidance around career and community service exploration. The School Counselors also frequently work with students to find balance in their lives, help in times of crisis, and a familiar face as they transition through each year of high school. All School Counselors can be accessed by appointment or on a drop-in basis, if available. School Counselors have various group and individual touchpoints with all students, and students are also encouraged to meet with and establish a working relationship with their School Counselor as early as possible.
Personal Counselors
Personal Counselors provide a continuum of social/emotional services to students in need, and play an integral role in connecting families with mental health resources in the community. They support students in navigating the highs and lows of high school, as well as the more serious emotional/behavioral concerns, high-risk behaviors, and crisis intervention. While any student can access a Personal Counselor in times of need, students are frequently referred by their School Counselor, parent, friend, teacher, or administrator.
Meet the Counseling Department
Dana Plunkett, Director of Counseling, 7-12
M.Ed., Organizational Management
MSW, Clinical Social Work
Licensed Principal/Assistant Principal, 6-12
Licensed School Counselor 5-12
Licensed School Adjustment Counselor
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)
Dana_Plunkett@needham.k12.ma.us 781-455-0800 x22130
School Counselors
James Ash, School Counselor
M.A., Counseling Psychology
M.Ed., Organizational Management
Licensed School Counselor 5-12
James_Ash@needham.k12.ma.us (781) 455-0800 x22116
Will Grannan, School Counselor
M.S., Counseling
Licensed School Counselor Grades 5-12
Will_Grannan@Needham.k12.ma.us 781-455-0800 x22118
Katrina Martyn, School Counselor
M.A., Counseling Psychology
Licensed School Counselor Grades PreK-12
Katrina_Martyn@Needham.k12.ma.us, 781-455-0800 x22120
Shannon Mastropoalo, School Counselor
M.S., School Counseling
Licensed School Counselor 5-12
Shannon_Mastropoalo@Needham.k12.ma.us 781-455-0800 x22123
I’Esha Thomas, School Counselor
M.Ed, School Counseling
Licensed School Counselor 5-12
I’esha_Thomas@needham.k12.ma.us, 781-455-0800 x22122
Renee Vasquez, School Counselor
M.A., School Counseling
M.A., Mental Health Counseling
Licensed School Counselor Grades 5-12
Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
Renee_Vasquez@Needham.k12.ma.us, 781-455-0800 x22126
Mary Jane Walker, School Counselor
M.Ed, School Counseling
Licensed School Counselor Grades 5-12
Mary_Jane_Walker@Needham.k12.ma.us, 781.455-0800 x22127
Meridith Welch, School Counselor
M.Ed, Human Development and Education
Licensed School Counselor Grades 5-12
Meridith_Welch@needham.k12.ma.us, 781-455-0800 x 22128
Personal Counselors
Shakur Abdal-Khallaq, METCO Coordinator | Personal Counselor
M.A, Counseling Psychology
Shakur_Abdal-Khallaq@Needham.k12.ma.us 781-455-0800 x22115
Michelle Brenhiser, Transitions Counselor/Adjustment Counselor
M.A., Social Work (MSW)
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)
Michelle_Brenhiser@Needham.k12.ma.us, (781) 455-0800, x22117
Dan Haggerty, Personal Counselor
M.A., Mental Health Counseling
Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
Daniel_Haggerty@Needham.K12.ma.us (781) 455-0800 x22133
Heather Harris, Adjustment Counselor
M.A., Mental Health Counseling
Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
Board Certified Art Therapist
Certified School Adjustment Counselor
Bobby Hermesch, Adjustment Counselor/Connections Program
M.A., Social Work
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)
Bobby_Hermesch@needham.k12.ma.us (781) 455-0800 x22129
Danielle Hopkins, Clinical Counselor/Pathways Program, Connections Program
M.Ed., School Adjustment Counseling
Licensed School Adjustment Counselor (SAC) PreK-12
Danielle_Hopkins@Needham.k12.ma.us (781) 455- 0800 | x22124
Amanda Katz, Personal Counselor
M.A., Social Work
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)
Amanda_Katz@needham.k12.ma.us (781) 455-0800 x22121
Jen Roberts, Personal Counselor
M.A., Social Work
Licensed Independent Clinicial Social Worker (LICSW)
Jennifer_Roberts@needham.k12.ma.us (781) 455-0800 x22125