Monmouth Junction School counselor hopes to pursue new endeavors.
By: Matt Egan
Monmouth Junction Elementary School’s student assistance counselor wants to change direction.
Retiring in June after 16 years of guiding and advising district students, Naomi Brahinsky said she plans to redevelop her private practice as a consultant and coach to parents, as well as delve into other hobbies.
Ms. Brahinsky, who has served as the school’s student assistance counselor for the past five years, is a licensed clinical social worker as well as a divorce mediator.
Her role at Monmouth Junction has been to serve as a consultant to parents, teachers and students, and during her time, Ms. Brahinsky made herself available to those who struggled with issues ranging from friendship to serious crises.
"She has worked tirelessly to put interventions in place to support whatever needs our students have," said Monmouth Junction Principal Jan Bozowski.
"I hope I’ve made a difference in some lives and helped students have a better understanding and acceptance of themselves," said Ms. Brahinsky.
It was no coincidence that Ms. Brahinsky found her calling in the schools as a counselor.
"It was a natural progression, using my counseling skills and interest in students," said Ms. Brahinsky, who has worked with students her entire professional life, starting as a camp counselor.
"Naomi never loses sight of the children," said Ms. Bozowski.
Ms. Brahinsky, who lives in Roosevelt, said the best part of her job was developing relationships with families and faculty. Reflecting on her years as a counselor, she called her post, "an opportunity to really make an impact."
That impact wasn’t just felt by her, but also by her coworkers.
"She slows the rest of us down and helps us keep our focus on the strengths of our students," said Ms. Bozowski.
Through her creation of a peer mediation program and several other projects, Ms. Brahinsky has used her leadership skills to change Monmouth Junction for the better.
"She has continued to provide leadership at the local school level and the district level with the myriad issues that young students have to address in their lives," said Ms. Bozowski.
Ms. Brahinsky noted how much the district has changed since she began.
"The district has grown tremendously and is much more diverse now," she said.
Ms. Brahinsky recalled the need for counseling during the weeks and months after the Sept. 11 attacks.
"It was a very stressful time and a time when this position becomes most important," she said. "It is something that continues as there is a greater anxiety level for everybody ever since."
As Ms. Brahinsky redevelops her private practice, she hopes to work with individual parents and children dealing with issues from divorce to education.
This summer she will spend time at her cabin in Vermont and plans on traveling.
While Ms. Bozowski says she respects Ms. Brahinsky’s choice to pursue other endeavors, she said, "she will be sorely missed by everyone here."