For four decades Lois Smith has been a part of the Jericho Schools, first as a fine arts teacher, then as a junior high and learning center counselor, and currently, as Curriculum Associate for Guidance. Ms. Smith received her Master's degrees in Guidance and Counseling, Special Education, Administration and Leadership from Long Island University/C.W. Post, and post graduate study at New York University and Hofstra University, have prepared her to meet the many challenges of her changing roles.

Understanding peoples, cultures and a love for travel has led her to leave her footprints throughout Europe, the Near East, the Far East, and in every state within the continental U.S. When time permits, Ms. Smith can be found at the theater or in her flower garden.

Lois Smith
lsmith@jerichoschools.org

Debbie Lisa-Brown has come to Jericho with experience as a high school counselor and as a special education teacher. Prior to coming to Jericho she worked in the guidance department of West Hempstead High School with students in grades 10-12 on issues such as study skills, stress management and college preparation. She also worked on an individual and small group basis with socially and academically deficient student populations.

Ms. Lisa-Brown graduated from Hofstra University with a Master of Science degree with Distinction in Counseling Education. Most recently, she was the recipient of the Marie Quinn Award for excellence in the counseling field from the Nassau County Counselors' Association. In addition, Ms. Lisa-Brown has worked in the marketing and advertising industries prior to completing her master's degree. Given her experiences in business, and counseling she has the unique ability to combine the two when working with students to coordinate their career goals with college planning and selection.

Debbie Lisa-Brown
dlisabrown@jerichoschools.org

Ms. Candy Barko joined the Jericho High School faculty in 2002. She has spent the past thirty years doing what she truly loves - working with teenagers and their families. A mother of a college sophomore and recent college graduate, she understands how overwhelming and stressful high school and the college search and application process can be for the whole family. She believes that it is important to provide a nurturing environment and constant encouragement to help each student reach his/her potential. As a child advocate, she helps her students become more responsible, accountable and confident, and encourages them to develop their character as well as their mind. She is the person to whom her students can turn when they have concerns about academic progress, college and career planning, stress and anxiety, family issues, peer relationships or social dilemmas. She values and encourages a teamwork approach and looks forward to building relationships with her students and their families, as well as the entire Jericho community.

Ms. Barko received her Master of Arts degree in Counseling and Guidance from New York University and her Master of Science degree in School Administration and Supervision from Touro College. She spent the first sixteen years of her career as a math teacher and counselor in Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn. Prior to coming to Jericho, she worked as a school counselor in Lawrence High School.

Candy Barko
cbarko@jerichoschools.org

Rebecca Gottesman joined the Jericho High School Guidance Department in 2002. Rebecca is enthusiastically looking forward to interacting and working with the students, parents, and community of the Jericho High School in order to ensure an exciting and successful school year.

Ms. Gottesman graduated from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and a minor in Psychology. While continuing her education at the graduate level, Ms. Gottesman worked in the health club industry. She received a Master of Science degree in Counseling from Hofstra University. Ms. Gottesman is a member of the Nassau Counselors' Association as well as the Western/Suffolk Counselors' Association.

Rebecca Gottesman
rgottesman@jerichoschools.org

Mr. Deaner joined the Jericho High School faculty in 2002. Prior to coming to Jericho, he worked as a foreign language teacher at Great Neck North High School and as a guidance counselor at Hauppauge High School. Mr. Deaner has always felt that it is extremely important for educators and counselors to play an active role in the school and local community. In addition to his role as a counselor, he is the faculty advisor for S.A.D.D. (Students Against Destructive Decisions).

Because of his affinity for language and his love of diverse cultures, Mr. Deaner lived, traveled and studied throughout the Iberian Peninsula both in college and as a graduate student. Mr. Deaner earned his undergraduate degree in Psychology from Dartmouth College. He has also received Master degrees in Spanish Language, Secondary Education, and School Counseling from Middlebury College, Hofstra University and C.W. Post, respectively.

Mr. Deaner views his role as that of a student advocate and an empathic listener, a welcoming person to whom students can turn for social and peer concerns as well as academic and college planning. He strongly believes in the importance of maintaining a close relationship with parents in order to ensure the success of Jericho students.

Brian Deaner
bdeaner@jerichoschools.org

Mary Jo Moriarty comes to Jericho with experience as a guidance counselor and a business education teacher. Most recently she worked as a guidance counselor for the Rockville Centre School District where she facilitated individual and group counseling, counseled and advised students on course selections, participated in transition planning and career development and placed students in a variety of college settings. In addition, Mrs. Moriarty has been active in her own district for many years serving on the PTA Board, was a member of SEPTA, was a Parent Advocate and served on various building teams. These experiences have fostered her love for students and the desire to work more closely with these young adults on a daily basis.

Mrs. Moriarty has an undergraduate degree in Business Education. She graduated from Long Island University C.W. Post with a Master's degree in School Counseling and most recently received a Professional Diploma in School District Administration.

Mrs. Moriarty believes in developing a relationship with each student and wants to be involved every step of the way of their high school experience. She believes in promoting the intellectual, social, and emotional growth of each counselee. Her goal is for all students to reach their fullest potential and looks forward to building relationships with her students and their parents, as well as the Jericho community.

Mary Jo Moriarty
mmoriarty@jerichoschools.org

The newest member of the Jericho High School Guidance Department, Bobby Becker comes to Jericho with experience as both an English teacher and athletic director at a residential summer camp. Always striving for excellence for herself and the students she works with, Mrs. Becker attended the University of Pennsylvania where she earned her master’s degrees in both English education and counselor education. Her unique ability to multitask has been honed while running a successful event planning business. These skills have proven most valuable when working with adolescent students especially during the college planning process. Mrs. Becker’s commitment to the college admissions process is evidenced by her attendance at seminars each year, i.e.; Harvard University Summer Institute on College Admissions and TEACH – F.A.C.T.S. Summer Institute, where directors of admissions from the most competitive colleges and universities discuss and update the attendees on the ever changing admissions process. A mother of a college junior and recent college graduate she values and encourages a teamwork approach between students, their families and school faculty enabling students to realize their individual, career and education goals.

Bobby Becker
bbecke@jerichoschools.org

For over 20 years, Todd Benjamin has been employed as the social worker and substance abuse counselor at Jericho High School. He received his Bachelor's degree from Kent State University and his Master's degree in Clinical Social Work from Adelphi University. Additionally, he holds post Masters Certifications from the South Oaks Institute as a Licensed Alcoholism Counselor and an Addiction Specialist Certificate from Adelphi University's post Masters Program. Recently, Mr. Benjamin received certification as a Crisis Prevention Specialist and a credentialed Crisis Prevention Trainer.

In Mr. Benjamin's role as a school social worker, he provides prevention, intervention and referral services to students in grades 9-12 who are experiencing concerns regarding self-esteem, academic progress, family problems, peer conflicts, eating disorders and substance abuse issues. His clinical services include individual, family, and group counseling sessions.

Additionally, Mr. Benjamin functions as the advisor to the Jericho High School Rachel Challenge Organization and the district’s Youth Decide Substance Abuse Prevention Programs.

Todd Benjamin
tbenjami@jerichoschools.org