The Berlin Central School District welcomes Ms. Melissa Cleary, Berlin Middle High School Counselor Last Names J-Z.

Please take a moment to welcome Ms. Cleary to the Mountaineer Community and learn more about her in her own words below.

What is your new position/role in the Berlin CSD?
I am the new school counselor working with students in grades 6-12 with the last names starting with J-Z. I will be available for students who would like support in college and career planning, and academic development. This also includes 504 case management. In addition, I am here to help students develop healthy goals, mindsets and behaviors through social emotional development, and I respond to student mental health needs when they arise.

What is your education background?
I went to school at Hoosick Falls Central School K-12. Once I graduated, I attended Southern Vermont College. It was there that I realized I wanted to pursue a degree in education. I then transferred to Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts where I earned a degree in Sociology and Master’s in Education with a concentration as a reading specialist. It was a few years later that I decided I wanted to help kids in a different way and went back to school (again) and earned a Master’s in Counseling from Capella University.

What is your background like – previous jobs?
I have worked with kids for a very long time first as a camp counselor and then as a tutor/mentor and field hockey coach. I developed a passion for helping students achieve their highest potential and knew that pursuing a degree in education would help me, help them. I was a substitute teacher at Hoosick Falls Central School while I worked on my Master’s degree. Once that was completed, I took a position at St. Mary’s Academy as a 5th grade teacher and then for 2 years I was a 4th grade teacher. At the end of my third year there, I moved to Burlington, VT where I became a reading intervention specialist and worked as an After School Site Director for the Burlington YMCA while working on my Master’s in Counseling. Once completed, I moved back to Hoosick Falls and took a position at Mount Anthony Union Middle School. I have been a school counselor for 10 years and while working for the Southwest Supervisory Union (SVSU), I also became the department head of School Counseling and Family Engagement for the SVSU.

Tell us about your family?
I currently live in a house full of teenagers along with my loving partner Jeff. I have 2 daughters (Mea, 16 and Mari, 12) and inherited 2 sons (Joshua, 25 and Andrew, 15). I am very fortunate to have my immediate family in the area as well!

What are your interests outside of school?
Outside of school I enjoy spending time with my family whether it is at the theater, a barrel race or a dirtbike track. I enjoy riding motorcycles, cooking, riding horses, making crafts and finding beauty in repurposing old things as well as collecting antiques. I can’t forget to mention that I love love love to shop and anything to do with music, going to music festivals, singing karaoke and dancing!

Welcome to BCSD Ms. Cleary!