The Verona Public School District has named Marisa Ackermann as the new director of school counseling. She will succeed Jennifer Gadaleta, who has led counseling since September 2019.
According to Interim Superintendent Dr. Lydia Furnari, Ackermann comes to Verona after spending 10 years at the Union County Vocational-Technical Schools (UCVTS). While there, she oversaw 13 school counselors responsible for assisting students in seven high schools, including five competitive admissions and honors curriculum programs. She was also in charge of the admissions process for UCVTS and assisted all families with successfully applying and transitioning to over 22 different career and technical education programs. Ackermann has also worked in career services at Boston College and Seton Hall University.
“Mrs. Ackermann believes the role of school counselors is to assist students in developing to be kind, prepared people,” Furnari said in the announcement. “Students’ academic, emotional, and social growth and development will be her top priority. Through self-advocacy, community building, and reflection, she is looking forward to providing Verona’s students with the chance to grow into their full potential and is excited to help students find success.”
