Marlboro grants tenure to school counselor

By Mark Reynolds
Posted 3/8/23

Last week the Marlboro School Board awarded tenure to elementary school counselor Ayanna Woodburn.

Superintendent Michael Rydell said he has met with Ayanna a number of times during this school …

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Marlboro grants tenure to school counselor

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Last week the Marlboro School Board awarded tenure to elementary school counselor Ayanna Woodburn.

Superintendent Michael Rydell said he has met with Ayanna a number of times during this school year, “and impressive is an understatement.” He initially thought Ayanna was already a tenured employee of the district, “because she demonstrates an extensive skill set and a genuine approach to a position that would otherwise represent years and years of experience. This coupled with her incredible dedication and genuine concern for the well-being of all of our students, I am absolutely delighted to publicly congratulate Ayanna Woodburn on receiving approval for tenure in the area of school counselor.”

Rydell said Woodburn was appointed to her position on March 11, 2019. She holds a BA from SUNY Buffalo in Special Education and Child Education for grades 1-6 and also has a Master’s Degree in School Counseling from Long Island University.

Rydell read a portion of a tenure recommendation letter written by Elementary School Principal Jena Thomas.

“Miss Woodburn is loved and respected by all students, staff members and stakeholders. She has a kind, warm and friendly demeanor, which makes her approachable. Students regularly seek out Ms. Woodburn for support and feel safe with her.” Rydell agreed, addressing Ayanna, saying, “I thought this letter was beautifully written and really embodies who you are and all this is true, so again congratulations for an absolutely well-deserved tenure.”

Woodburn is the only school counselor at the elementary school, which has a total of 760 students. In a subsequent interview, Woodburn said, “It is a joy just to see the kids faces, their happiness when they’re coming in and the excitement of being in school; I love it.”

Woodburn recalled that when she was younger she knew she wanted to be a teacher, “but as I got older I realized that it wasn’t necessarily teaching, but I wanted to connect and be there for the kids.”

Woodburn works with students in a variety of settings, in small groups, with individuals and also teaches lessons in the classroom about character education.

“They see me in the cafeteria, the playground, doing things with them in the field. I’m there to support them so they feel safe,” she said.

Woodburn is also the school’s coordinator for the state’s Dignity for All Students Act [DASA].

According to the New York Education Department, Woodburn is there to ensure that the elementary school provides, “a safe and supportive environment free from discrimination, intimidation, taunting, harassment, and bullying on school property, a school bus and/or at a school function.”

“I’m kind of everywhere in every little pocket of the school,” she said.

Woodburn said no two days are the same.

“I can’t go in and say this is my whole plan and I’m going to stick to it because it’s never the same,” she said. “I love it here and I wouldn’t trade it for anywhere else.” Ayanna said when she began researching school districts, “Marlboro was one that stuck out for me.”

Woodburn said parents can always reach out to her.

“I have an open door policy as I’m always there but I am also only a phone call away.” she said. “If I don’t answer, trust me, I’m going to get back to you as soon as possible as I like to connect with the parents and the kids because I feel we’re all one and as a team, we’re here to support everyone that we have.”

Woodburn pointed out that to address a student’s academic issues, it is critical to first look at the social and emotional challenges they may be facing.

“Our mental health and wellness are the first things and then we can address everything else,” she said.

Woodburn said as we are coming out of the pandemic, some issues are unexpectedly filtering down to younger students, “but regardless, I feel this is something that we have to address and we are here to support them with whatever they’re going through.”