Counselor Assignments

Bret has been a member of the Newtown High School School Counseling Department since 2004 and is now the School Counseling Department Chair. Thanks for visiting our site! Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you. 

203-426-7651 x6527 or nicholsb@newtown.k12.ct.us

Lauren has been in Education for several years and has loved every minute! She has a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a Masters Degree in School Counseling. She started her career teaching second and fourth grade in Region #14. After six years, she accepted a job as a School Counselor in Region #6 where she worked for 12 years before coming to Newtown High School. She has found her niche in education as a school counselor working with high school students and thoroughly enjoys each day!

203-426-7651 x6511 or martil@newtown.k12.ct.us

Dan completed his undergraduate degree at Southern Connecticut State University, graduating in 2015. He then received his Masters degree from Fairfield University in School Counseling. Dan is excited to be at Newtown High School and is looking forward to working with students and families. 

203-426-7651 x6579 or farinad@newtown.k12.ct.us

Ana has been a school counselor at Newtown High School since 2001. She received her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Fairfield University and graduated Magna Cum Laude. She earned her Masters in School Counseling also from Fairfield University. Ana is a National Board Certified Counselor. She thoroughly loves her job and working with students and families as they navigate high school and plan for life after Newtown High School. 

203-426-7651 x6518 or mendesa@newtown.k12.ct.us

Jeffrey has been a School Counselor at Newtown High School since 2000.  He graduated from the University of Maryland (B.S. Special Education) in 1985 and from Cambridge College (M.Ed. Counseling) in 1993. Jeffrey is an Advisor to the Fusion Mentoring Program at NHS and is an integral part of many other school and community activities. He enjoys his work with students and families in helping them make informed decisions.

203-426-7651 x6578 or tolsonj@newtown.k12.ct.us

Deidre has been working with teenagers in some capacity for over 20 years. She has been a counselor for several summer programs, was a horseback riding instructor, and worked as a counselor in a residential treatment program. She received her educator certification and taught middle school Language Arts for six years at Salisbury Central School. She has worked at Newtown High School since 2004 and loves what she does! She truly enjoys the energy and enthusiasm that high school students embody and she is inspired by them daily. Outside of work, Deidre is passionate about Animal Rescue and devotes most of her free time to that cause.

203-426-7651 x6533 or croced@newtown.k12.ct.us

Alexa is the newest addition to the Newtown High School School Counseling Department.  She graduated from Sacred Heart University in 2015 with a Bachelor's in Psychology and attended Central Connecticut State University to obtain her Master's in School Counseling in 2018. She completed her year-long internship at Newtown High School during the 2017-2018 school year. She worked with students in grades 5-8 during the 2018-2019 school year in Sherman and is very excited to be back at NHS!  Please feel free to contact Alexa throughout the school year with any concerns. 

203-426-7651 x6557 or kobania@newtown.k12.ct.us

Sara completed her internship at Newtown High School during the 2011-2012 school year and returned the following year. Sara graduated from the University of Connecticut with a B.A. in Psychology and she received her M. A. degree in School Counseling from Fairfield University. She has her CT Certification in School Counseling in addition to being a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC). 

203-426-7651 x6592 or brants@newtown.k12.ct.us