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Counseling and Student Services Staff

  • Our program is comprehensive and designed to promote the academic, social & emotional, and career development of all students.
  • We support students in making choices which will pave the way to success in high school and beyond.
  • Students are assigned to their school counselors based on grade.
  • Please see the list below for school counselor and student services staff assignments and contact information.

Director of Counseling

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Janae Ferguson

Director of Counseling, 703-228-2919

janae.ferguson@apsva.us

I have an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education with a middle school endorsement in English and Social Studies as well as a master's in counseling. I began my career in Indianapolis teaching 9th graders. I also taught 7th and 8th grade English in Falls Church at George Mason Middle School. I got the opportunity to open Mary Ellen Middle School in a leadership role as Counseling Director. After 10 years in Falls Church City Public Schools, I moved to Arlington and became the Director of Counseling at Williamsburg Middle School. When a new middle school opened in Arlington, I was fortunate enough to be part of opening Dorothy Hamm Middle School and creating a new school community that belongs and becomes!

Grade Level Counselors

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Bob Tuttle

6th Grade Counselor, 703-228-2921

robert.tuttle@apsva.us

My wife and I live in Vienna with our teenage son and our black lab. I enjoy camping with my family, sailing, biking Shenandoah, and building stuff.

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Nick Kean

7th Grade Counselor, 703-228-2846

nicholas.kean@apsva.us

I'm originally from the Boston area, but I moved to D.C. then to Arlington after graduating from Wake Forest University. I did my school counseling training in Fairfax County, where I worked at West Springfield HS and Carl Sandburg MS. I have since become a member of the awesome Student Services team at DHMS, joining in January 2022. Outside of school, I enjoy travelling with family, coaching baseball, running, and obsessively rooting for Boston sports teams!

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Maritza Zurita

8th Grade Counselor, 703-228-2922

maritza.zurita@apsva.us

This is my third year as a school counselor, and my first year in APS. I got my Bachelors degree in Psychology, and my Masters in school counseling both degrees from George Mason University. I have three kids and we like to be outdoors as much as possible. I love to travel and spend as much time as I can at the beach.

English Learner, Program, Substance Abuse, and Intervention Counselors

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Ronald Valdez

English Learners Counselor, Habla Español, 703-228-2938

ronald.valdez@apsva.us

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Quamika Wright

Program Counselor

quamika.wright@apsva.us

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Amelia Black

Intervention Counselor

amelia.black@apsva.us

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DeAndre McCoy

Substance Abuse Counselor, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 703-228-2927 (office) or 703-718-6575 (mobile)

deandre.mccoy@apsva.us

Hailing from North Carolina, I obtained my bachelor in Business Administration from East Carolina University in 2008, and then I attended Liberty University where I earned a Masters in Human Services Counseling in 2013 and another Masters in Addiction and Recovery in 2018. I moved to Virginia in 2022 and became a certified Substance Abuse Counselor in 2023. When not engaged in professional activities, I enjoy quality time with my godsons and pursue personal interests such as music, singing, travel, and culinary arts.

School Social Worker, Interlude Therapist, and School Psychologist

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Gabrielle Bomberg

I was born and raised in Alexandria, Virginia. I attended Fairfax County Public Schools throughout my K-12 education. My concentration within social work is clinical mental health and I am deeply committed to creating inclusive spaces where individuals feel seen, validated, and respected. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my twin sister, running, and playing board games with my friends and partner.

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Maggie Terzaghi

Interlude Therapist

maighdlin.terzaghi@apsva.us

I'm originally from Davis, CA, but have been living in the DC metro area since 2008. I graduated with my master's degree in social work from CUA in 2015 and began my career working in foster care in MD as therapist and provided therapy in a variety of roles until beginning with APS in 2024. I am now pursuing an EdD in Instruction and Curriculum with a focus in Social Emotional Learning at UVA. I have three kiddos, coach my daughter's soccer team, and am obsessed with my sweet and crazy doggies, Murphy and Rosie!

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Brooke Zeller

School Psychologist, 703-228-2925

brooke.zeller@apsva.us

I am originally from upstate New York, but have lived in Arlington almost half my life. I live in South Arlington with my husband and two kids. We are an active family and enjoy the many hiking and biking trails around the area. Some of my favorite things to do in my free time are read, run, and cook. This 2023-24 school year will be my 8th year as a school psychologist. Prior to working in APS, I worked in private practice with clinical psychologists. I love working in schools and being surrounded by the energy of our students.

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Aimee Puschkin

Student Support Coordinator (SST), 703-228-2945 (Tuesday-Friday)

aimee.puschkin@apsva.us

I am originally from New York and lived in Philadelphia where I became a teacher. I moved to Arlington 9 years ago and began to build an extensive book collection (I have enough to build my own library!). My two cats, Bo & Fozzy, and I absolutely love Arlington!

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Henry Cardenas

Bilingual Family Liaison

henry.cardenas@apsva.us

I grew up in Arlington but also lived in Ecuador. I graduated from Siena Heights University in Michigan. I am passionate about international soccer, but my true love is spending time with my wife, two kids and our pug Cosmo.

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Carla Bran

Registrar, Habla Español, 703-228-2923

carla.bran@apsva.us

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Yazmin Murray

Bilingual Family Liaison

yazmin.murray@apsva.us

I grew up in Mexico and lived in Canada for a few years. I now live in Arlington with my husband, and two sons. I enjoy meeting families from all over the world and welcome them into our community.