Newtown Everyday Hero: High School Guidance Counselor Jeff Tolson

Do you know someone making a difference in our community? Patch wants to tell their story in a new series we’re calling “Everyday Heroes.” We are looking to share inspirational and uplifting stories of people who work to change others’ lives for the better.

Today’s nominee was sent in by Meighan Dutt.

Name of Everyday Hero

• Jeff Tolson

Relationship to the nominee

• Mother of child Jeff coached.

Details of good work

• Jeff is a guidance counselor at the High School. In this role alone there is reason enough to nominate him. But I would like to nominate Jeff for the work he has done over the past 10 years or so running a Flag Football program for the youth of Newtown. In this role Jeff somehow gets to know all boys and girls by name. And he somehow keeps track of which parent goes with which kid. He does this at the high school as well. He works tirelessly to motivate the kids and appreciate each one in the football program. At the end of each session he has an award ceremony in which each child is given some sort of silly prize for their contribution to the game or the program. And he writes little notes and ‘report cards’ to each player. When my boys participated he would cite a particularly great play they made, or some good sportsmanship exhibited. The kids of Newtown absolutely love this program. And as they get older they can’t wait to be an assistant coach to work alongside Jeff to coach the younger ones.

Why do you feel is this person an Everyday Hero?

• Jeff is clearly a role model to the kids and I think with his attention and motivation he has helped create some of the nicest young people around. I could see the confidence grow in my kids as they participated in this program. And that confidence was noted and encouraged by Jeff. I think we are extremely lucky in town to have someone like Jeff in our kids lives.

Do you know someone who is an “Everyday Hero?”

Nominate them by following the instructions below:

Please answer the following questions below and email your answers, along with a photo, to wendy.mitchell@patch.com and your Everyday Hero could be featured!

1. Name of Everyday Hero
2. Your relationship to the nominee
3. Details of good work done or being done
4. Why do you feel is this person an everyday hero?

Have a news tip? Email wendy.mitchell@ patch.com.

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