Howell HS Counselor Aims To Be A Support System For Her Students

HOWELL, NJ — The Freehold Regional High School District has named Caitlin Kauffmann, a school counselor at Howell High School, as its 2023-24 Educational Services Professional of the year as part of the Governor's Educator of the Year program.

Kauffmann, a school counselor at Howell High School for the past 10 years, earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from Rutgers University and a master's degree in school counseling from Boston University. In Boston she assisted on a research study for Harvard Graduate School of Education. She worked at a small school in Massachusetts before returning to New Jersey.

At Howell High School she has worked with the RAISE Academy and previously oversaw the SAT/ACT administration at Howell. She serves on the I&RS committee, is the homeless liaison for Howell High School, acts as the Brookdale Community College liaison for all seniors aspiring to attend Brookdale, and enjoys helping all first-generation college-bound students.

Kauffmann also loves speaking with students about career opportunities outside the traditional college pathway.

When her name was announced as Educational Professional of the Year, Kauffmann said she was in complete shock.

"I was honored to be recognized for how deeply I care for [every] one of my students — I try my hardest to form a close relationship with each one and support them in their academic, personal, and social/emotional growth while encouraging them to reach all of their goals," she said.

One of the things she loves most about her job is the connections she makes with students.

"I got into this profession specifically to be a support system for those who may not have a strong one at home," she said. "Coming from an unstable childhood, it was my goal to pursue a career where I [could] help those through the most important adolescent years."

"In my tenure as a school counselor, I am proud to say that I have formed extremely close bonds with hundreds of students, some of whom I still keep in touch with today. Even if I don’t make a significant impact on every single student's life, I know there are a handful for whom I have truly made a difference, and for that, I feel completely fulfilled in my career," Kauffmann said.

For anyone beginning their career in education, Kauffmann wants them to know that making an impact on young minds is the most rewarding experience in the world, the district said.