Welcome WMS’s Director of Counseling Services

Welcome Ms. Susan Russo, our new Director of Counseling Services.

Ms. Russo has been a professional school counselor for over 22 years with a B.A. from St. Norbert College in PK-6 Education, a M.S. in Counseling-Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an Educational Leadership certificate from George Mason University.

She began her career as a school counselor in Stoughton, Wisconsin and became the first Developmental Counseling Coordinator for the district. As a counselor in Alexandria, Virginia, she successfully supported Jefferson-Houston, a PK-8 school, to reach Recognized American School Counselor Association Model Program status (RAMP). After joining Thomas Jefferson Middle School in APS, she was a part of the counseling team that achieved RAMP status as one of three “Schools of Distinction” in the United States.

Ms. Russo has been an active member of the district’s Student Well-Being steering committee, as well as at the school level, and has started serving this year as the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Lead at Thomas Jefferson Middle School as well. Her intent in these roles is to foster an environment in which staff and students feel supported to grow and make a positive impact on their world.  She is excited to work in the Williamsburg Middle School community to continue providing support for students, build on its current success, and expand opportunities to unlock their full potential.

Outside of school, Ms. Russo loves spending time with her family, biking, hiking or settling in front of a show with a giant bowl of popcorn. And as she prepares to be an empty nester soon, she has started picking up the guitar again, learning the mandolin, and even getting some vocal jazz lessons. She is looking forward to meeting and working with all the staff, students and families at Williamsburg!