DIANE PETERSON
Point Pleasant,NJ
Summary
Seasoned School Counselor experienced in secondary education settings, demonstrating proficiency in program creation and implementation. Built strong relationships among students, staff, and parents while guiding students through college admissions and managing 504 plans. Led crisis response initiatives and organized district-wide college fairs, enhancing student engagement in post-graduation planning.
Overview
1
1
year of post-secondary education
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Director of College Coaching
Solution Prep
Wall Township, New Jersey
06.2026 - Current
- Guided students through the college admissions process, ensuring clarity and confidence in application materials.
- Evaluated and revised college essays, strengthening narratives to better reflect students' unique voices.
- Delivered personalized academic support, enhancing student performance through tailored strategies.
- Facilitate presentations and professional development for school counseling programs
Supervisor of School Counseling
Colts Neck High School
Colts Neck, New Jersey
12.2017 - 07.2026
- Coordinated activities among team members to ensure effective collaboration. and management of crisis response team
- Coordinated and monitored 504 plans to ensure compliance and support for students.
- Intervention and Referral Services coordination
- Developed and organized professional development programs for staff to enhance teaching skills.
- Coordinated and facilitated parent and student information programming
- Managed daily operations of college information resource platforms, including Naviance and SCOIR.
- Development and Implementation of Master Schedule
- Administered AP, PSAT, NJGPA, and NJSLA testing to ensure standardized assessment procedures.
- Directed and supervised a team of 15 employees in daily operations.
- Coordinated district college fairs and organized grade level post graduation programs to provide students with essential post-secondary planning resources
Associate Professor
Georgian Court University
Lakewood, NJ
08.2018 - 12.2019
- Taught graduate courses in the Masters of School Counseling Program
- Developed curriculum enhancing student engagement and meeting Georgian Court academic standards.
- Developed curriculum aligned with Georgian Court academic standards.
- Created online course content that facilitated student learning on Georgian Court University learning platforms.
- Advised students on academic goals and degree progress, fostering their personal and professional growth.
Associate Professor
Wilmington University
Wilmington, DE
08.2016 - 05.2018
- Taught graduate courses in Masters of School Counseling Program
- Developed curriculum aligned with Wilmington University academic standards.
- Developed online course content for Wilmington University learning platforms to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.
- Contributed to faculty meetings and academic committee work to shape program initiatives and policy decisions.
- Advised students on academic goals and degree progress.
- Guided students in academic goal setting and degree progress, fostering their academic success and professional development.
School Counselor
Monroe Township School District
01.2002 - 12.2017
- Provide direct one-on-one and group services to high school students. Deliver both proactive and responsive services. Assist students in planning their high school course curriculum. Develop positive relationships with students, parents, staff and administration. Day-to-day monitoring of students' progress. Ongoing communication with students regarding post-graduation planning. Daily use of Naviance for college searches, processing college applications and facilitating crisis counseling.
- Highlighted significant achievements in program development and student support.
- Implemented the Challenge Day school-wide program and coordinated program efforts on a daily basis; presented the program overview to school and district administration and secured monies in the school budget; organized, planned, and facilitated the three-day school event, occurring in December of each academic year since 2012
- Managed the high school's HSPA Test Site from 2010 to 2013. Currently oversee PSAT testing for sophomores and juniors, including scheduling school examiners, managing testing materials inventory, and corresponding frequently with state, district, and building supervisors.
- Facilitate a twice-monthly Bereavement Support Group for five years starting in 2009 and continuing this year; membership is for students who have lost either a parent or sibling
- Coordinated the Intervention and Referral Services Committee from 2007 to present, creating and facilitating monthly committee meetings, corresponding with staff, meeting with parents and students, developing and implementing Action Plans, and collaborating closely with the Child Study Team and Pupil Personnel Services.
- Developed three yearlong professional development projects for the school counseling department; initiatives include Book Study focusing on Culturally Considerate Counseling (2011-2012), Challenge Day (2012-2013), and a Solution-Focused School Counseling curriculum outline based on Solution-Focused Counseling (2013-2014)
- Completed Psychological First Aid training in 2010 under Dr. Robert H. Macy.
- Collaborated with teachers, parents, and administrators on student support plans.
- Facilitated connections between students and relevant school and community support services.
- Coordinated crisis response and provided safety support to students experiencing distress.
- Documented counseling notes, meetings, and student interventions in district systems.
- Promoted social-emotional learning through classroom lessons and group sessions.
- Aided students in college and career readiness process, helping with course selection and career assessments.
- Identified at-risk students and provided support for support for successful academic experience and personal growth.
- Engaged families and staff to develop improvement strategies.
- Counseled students regarding a variety of social, educational and interpersonal issues.
- Developed individualized learning plans for students with special educational needs.
- Collaborated with teachers to develop strategies for improving student performance in the classroom.
- Provided individual and group counseling sessions to students in order to discuss academic, social and emotional issues.
- Executed outreach initiatives to raise awareness of available counseling services within the school community.
- Coordinated crisis interventions for students facing difficult life situations, ensuring timely support and resources were provided.
- Promoted partnerships and communication between parents and teachers to collaboratively support students' educational goals.
- Established trusting relationship with students and parents to nurture confidence in the school counseling process.
- Organized extracurricular activities designed to promote self-esteem, team building skills and healthy relationships between peers.
- Served as a liaison between schools, families, agencies and other stakeholders involved in providing appropriate supports for students.
High School History Teacher
Metuchen Public Schools
01.1996 - 01.2002
- Instructed students in Psychology and Sociology concepts in high school curriculum. to junior and senior students. Instructed freshman-level World History. Guided students in completing coursework, fostering academic achievement. Graded and evaluated assignments while offering additional specialized support to students. Created and executed lesson plans, enhancing student engagement and understanding. Engaged with parents and guardians through annual conferences, strengthening community involvement in student education. Maintained regular contact and collaboration with other teachers in the school and participated in professional development throughout the academic year. Connected students with appropriate guidance services.
- Developed history lesson plans aligned with Metuchen Public Schools curriculum standards.
- Presented American and world history lessons through engaging lectures and discussions. through lecture, discussion, and primary sources.
- Assessed student understanding using quizzes, essays, and classroom participation.
High School History Teacher, Gorton High School
Yonkers Public Schools
01.1994 - 01.1995
- Instructed Global Studies course for freshmen and sophomores, supporting students in coursework completion and offering specialized assistance. Developed and implemented engaging lesson plans, communicated with parents through annual conferences, collaborated regularly with colleagues, and participated in professional development throughout the academic year.
- Highlighted achievements in role
- Advised Gorton High School Yearbook, overseeing creation, layout, editing, and distribution of the yearbook.
Education
Director of School Counseling Certificate - Education Administration
Monmouth University
West Long Branch, NJ 01.2012 - 01.2013
Master of Education - Counseling and Personnel Services
Fordham University
New York, NYBachelor of Science - History and Secondary Education
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJSkills
- College admissions
- Naviance
- Scoir management
- Essay editing
- Testing coordination
- 504 coordination
- Crisis Management
- Student counseling
- Career advancement
- Graduation planning
- Project Management
- Process Implementation
- Program development
- Schedule coordination
- Team management
- Staff Development
- Staff Performance Review
- Stakeholder collaboration
- Organizational Skills
- Effective Communication
- Collaborative approach
- Relationship management
- Networking
- Analytical thinking
- Critical thinking
- Problem solving
- Forward Thinking
- Goal Articulation
- Compassionate
- Empathetic
- Relationship Building
- MS Office
- Genesis
- Project management
- Schedule coordination
- Staff Performance Review
Timeline
Associate Director of College Coaching
Solution Prep
06.2026 - Current
Associate Professor
Georgian Court University
08.2018 - 12.2019
Supervisor of School Counseling
Colts Neck High School
12.2017 - 07.2026
Associate Professor
Wilmington University
08.2016 - 05.2018
Director of School Counseling Certificate - Education Administration
Monmouth University
01.2012 - 01.2013
School Counselor
Monroe Township School District
01.2002 - 12.2017
High School History Teacher
Metuchen Public Schools
01.1996 - 01.2002
High School History Teacher, Gorton High School
Yonkers Public Schools
01.1994 - 01.1995
Master of Education - Counseling and Personnel Services
Fordham University
Bachelor of Science - History and Secondary Education
Seton Hall University