Guidance Chairperson Sue Moller was named a New York State Master Counselor for her dedication to her students and the Lynbrook community. After an extensive application process, Moller was honored to be chosen to join a selective network of counselors who participate in learning opportunities and workshops, all of which focuses on student engagement and an expansion in their learning.
According to the State University of New York (SUNY) website (suny.edu), both New York state teachers and master counselors are selected by an intense, multi-step application process. “It was a year-long process,” Moller recalled. “There was a five- or six-part online application. You had to take a national counseling exam where there’s qualifying scores, essentially the equivalent to passing. Then, you need three letters of recommendation, all of which need to be submitted by January. June is when you hear back if you’ve been selected for interviews,” she added. The interview process is equally as challenging: four hours of questioning along with having to prepare a 20-minute presentation. The presenter receives feedback from their peers and then must give critiques of their own to other applicants. From that presentation in August, no information is heard until the final results are revealed in December.
Three years ago, counselors were given the opportunity to apply to be a Master Counselor after the program was only available to teachers. Moller was encouraged to apply after interacting with one of the leaders of the program at a SUNY conference she attended last year; Moller started her application right after.
Moller has made an impact on the Lynbrook community and the students of LHS. Junior Emily Callahan commented, “She’s always checking in to make sure I’m doing alright.” Moller’s love for working in education was evident throughout her life, including her original career goal of becoming an elementary school art teacher. After making two switches in her path of study, Moller graduated from Stony Brook University as a sociology major and women’s studies minor, then moved on to graduate with her master’s degree from Long Island University for counseling in 2002. With the lack of counselor positions in elementary schools at the time, Moller conducted internships at both the high school and middle school levels. Ultimately, she fell in love with high school positions and could “not be able to picture [herself] anywhere else.” Moller added with a smile, “I love the conversations that I’m able to have with [high school students]. The impact on the things [counselors] get to talk to [high school students] about is real-world stuff, and we’re really prepping for their futures.”
Moller demonstrates immense excitement about her role as a Master Counselor, having many ideas that she is excited to share and bring back to the district from Zoom conferences and workshops. “I love professional development and going to conferences, always doing workshops… It’s all things that I’m able to participate in, but also all things that I am able to create.” The NYS Master Counselor Program is divided into their respective SUNY cohorts, with Long Island falling under Stony Brook. Counselors from all over the island have the opportunity to collaborate and share projects that they feel would be beneficial to bring back to their students. All members of the group are allowed to run a series of workshops or present at monthly meetings; everything takes place after school hours, and many discussions are recordings that could be watched on the counselor’s own time. “It’s program-participant driven,” Moller explained. “There are no set rules; it’s [counselors] collectively sharing ideas and getting to run with them,” she added.
Moller’s enthusiasm is recognized by her fellow counselors and staff members. Principal Matthew Sarosy wrote one of her three letters of recommendation. “New York has only made official what we have known for years, that Ms. Moller is the epitome of a Master Counselor,” Sarosy said. “Our building has benefited from Ms. Moller’s experience, wisdom, and relentless advocacy for years, and I’m proud to see her recognized in such a fitting way,” he added.
