Meet the School Counseling Department
Mr. Ross Wolfson - School Counseling Department Head
Ross Wolfson joined the Westborough counseling staff in 2014 after spending the previous 9 years as a school counselor at Dedham High School. Prior to that, he was a counselor in Jaffrey, NH and a college and career counselor in Hicksville, NY. He holds a BA in studio art from Binghamton University, an MSEd in School Counseling from Long Island University (CW Post Campus) and a CAGS from Fitchburg State University in Educational Leadership and Management. Counseling was a career change for Ross, as he first worked as an accountant in NYC after college, proving that you don’t always get a job in the subject you major in. He is an avid user of technology and has presented at state, regional and national conferences on various forms of technology use for school counselors and college admissions professionals. Ross loves camping with his daughter every summer and looks forward to when his son is old enough to join them.
Mrs. Donna Goodliffe - School Counselor
Donna Goodliffe joined the Westborough Counseling Department in 2002 after implementing the Jobs for Bay State Graduates, school to work program here in 1998. Prior to counseling she worked in the travel and conference planning industry for 9 years. She holds a B.A. in Social Rehabilitation from Assumption College and a M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Boston College. In addition to her counseling responsibilities she is the adviser for The New Student Ambassadors program, a board member for the Quest Program and is the school liason for Project Graduation, a safe, substance free graduation celebration. Outside of school she enjoys family, friends, laughing and traveling (anywhere sunny), visiting her boys at Penn State and summers on Cape Cod with her husband.
Ms. Tara Vavruska - School Counselor
Tara Vavruska joined the department in 2012. She holds a B.A. from Framingham State College and an M.A. in Counseling from Fitchburg State University. Previous to Westborough High School, Tara worked for 6 years as the guidance secretary for West Boylston Middle/High School, where she had the privilege of working daily with her mentors. She is currently pursuing a Certificate in College Admissions Counseling from University of California - Riverside. She is an active member of the Massachusetts School Counselors Association (MASCA), for which she has presented a workshop for educators regarding homelessness at their annual conference. At WHS, she is the Advisor for Building Bridges, a mentoring program between WHS students and elementary school students. Tara believes in the importance of community service and has served on several boards and community groups in her hometown. A mom to a son in college, she enjoys spending her time with family and friends and tending to her home and gardens.
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Mrs. Kristen Caira - School Counselor
Mrs. Caira Joined the Westborough Counseling Department in 2006. Prior to joining the WHS team, she spent 3 years as a counselor in the urban setting of New Haven, CT. She holds a BA in Psychology from Assumption College and an MA in School Counseling from Southern Connecticut State University. In addition to her role as a school counselor, she is mom to two little girls, Caroline and Anna. She enjoys family trips to amusement parks, vacationing on Cape Cod and Maine, and relaxing at the lake. In her "free time," Mrs. Caira loves running, trying new recipes and shopping.
Ms. Amanda Kapusniak - School COunselor
Amanda Kapusniak joined the Westborough School Counseling Department in 2017. Prior to joining the WHS counseling team, she worked for two years as a high school counselor in Prior Lake, Minnesota. She holds a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin Madison and an M.A. in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in School Counseling from the University of Minnesota Twin-Cities. Outside of school, Ms. Kapusniak enjoys spending time with family and friends, crafting, dancing, and reading. Additionally, she loves relaxing at home with her cat, Ellie. Ms. Kapusniak looks forward to her new adventure at Westborough High School and cannot wait to get to know each of her students.
Ms. Ceil Parteleno - Adjustment CounselorCeil Parteleno, LICSW, has worked in Westborough for the last 16 years. Ceil is a licensed independent social worker with a master’s degree from Boston University where her concentration was group work. Ceil is the advisor to the GSA and is helping with the Rangers Reaction program. Before coming to Westborough, Ceil worked in Boston, Cambridge and Somerville schools. Ceil believes that the school system is the best way to help students access mental health services. Ceil loves the challenge and joys of working with students to help remove blocks to their success and finding ways to make their unique contribution to the world.
Mrs. Gayle Kenefick - School COunseling SecretaryGayle Kenefick joined the Westborough High School Counseling Department in June 2008. Previously she worked with Environmental Scientists and Engineers in Harvard, MA as the Documentation Specialist and Office Manager. She graduated from Briarwood College in CT. Gayle has two children Michael Jr. and Courtney. She enjoys time at the beach, traveling, reading and spending time with her family.
Mrs. LeeAnn Morse - School Counseling SecretaryMrs. Morse has been working in the Westborough School systems for the past seventeen years; she has been working in the school counseling dept. since 2009 and has previously worked at Hastings Elementary School and Sarah Gibbons Middle School. She is a graduate of Trinity College, Burlington, VT. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her husband sailing, biking, skiing and with her two grown children who live in Washington D.C. and California.
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