Northport HS Guidance Counselor Named An Inaugural NY Master Counselor

NORTHPORT, NY — Jenny Konop, a guidance counselor at Northport High School, was named among the group of counselors selected for the inaugural New York State Master Counselor Program, the Northport-East Northport School District announced.

Only 25 counselors statewide were selected for this recognition, with Konop being the first from Long Island.

The Master Counselor Program brings counseling professionals together to engage in professional development and collaboration opportunities. The lengthy application process included a test, several letters of recommendation and multiple interviews over nearly 10 months.

As a member of the program, Konop will be required to complete at least 50 hours of professional development each year for four years. In addition, she will have the opportunity to participate in various camps and conference days outside of the traditional workday.

"As a child of two teachers, it was always instilled in me that knowledge is power, and its pursuit
is never ending," Konop said in a news release. "In my role as school counselor, helping students navigate through the highs and lows of life, whether it be academically, socially, emotionally, and in planning their post-secondary pathways, has been profoundly fulfilling and ever-evolving."

Master Counselors are active members of their professional associations and regularly engage with local industries to help students and their families chart a path to student success, according to a state news release. The counselors serve in various district-level and state-level roles, joining the program as experienced leaders dedicated to developing and sharing best practices.

Konop has been a counselor at Northport High School for two decades and has helped countless students throughout her career.

"I have been lucky to work at Northport, a district that values the continued growth of its educators by supporting professional development opportunities, both in and out of district. This has been instrumental in shaping my journey as a counselor," she said.

Konop previously received the prestigious American School Counselor Association New York State Counselor of the Year award in 2018 and is a member of the Western Suffolk Counselors Association, the New York State School Counselor Association, and the American School Counselor Association. She is hopeful that as the Master Counselor Program continues to grow, she will be able to connect with more colleagues across Long Island and the state.