GMS Counseling Staff

Hi everyone! My name is Dr. Bruce, and I am so excited to become a Gunston Hornet. I grew up in Brooklyn, NY and has lived all over the world before finding my way to the wonderful Arlington community. A surprise fact is that I have an acting degree from a conservatory. I also have a master’s in school counseling, a doctorate in counselor education & supervision and currently working on my M.B.A. I love to listen to music, travel and spend time with my loved ones.

Favorite quote: “The ends you serve that are selfish will take you no further than yourself but the ends you serve that are for all, in common, will take you into eternity.” – Marcus Garvey

Hi everyone! I am so excited to become a Gunston Hornet. I grew up in Fort Washington, MD and moved to Arlington in middle school. After graduating from Washington-Liberty HS in 2014, I received my Bachelor’s in Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University. This past June, I graduated with my Master’s in School Counseling from Capella University. My favorite foods are pizza and pasta. I love to listen to music, advocate for students, and have fun with my two-year-old son.

Favorite quote: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou

Hello!  I joined the Counseling Department at Gunston Middle School in 2018 after teaching 7/8th grade English here for one year.  Prior to moving to VA, I was a middle school and high school English teacher in Pittsburgh, PA for 13 years and a middle school teacher in Brooklyn, NY for 3 years.  I currently live in DC, so I enjoy taking long walks to explore different neighborhoods and to browse local small businesses.   I adore animals and have two cats (Franklin and Eleanor) and a dog (Susie).  I also love to read, so it’s rare to see me without a book in my hand!

Favorite Quote:  “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive, and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style.”  Maya Angelou

Hi everyone! My name is Ms. Mitchell and I am very excited to be a Gunston Hornet. I have worked in education for almost 8 years and have a Bachelors of Science in Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Masters in Education for Counseling and Development from George Mason University. This school year will be my 5th year as a School Counselor and I can’t wait to begin working with the Gunston community. I have lived in the Arlington area for several years and grew up in Fairfax, VA. In my free time I enjoy watching shows on Bravo, running, working on puzzles, traveling and spending time with my friends and family.

Favorite Quote: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” — Nelson Mandela

Hello!  I’m a proud member of the Gunston Counseling Department and have been for 23 years. I grew up in southern Maryland where I also attended the University of Maryland at College Park. Go Terps!  Then, I earned my Master’s Degree in School Counseling from Trinity University of Washington and have spent most of my career in APS both as a teacher and school counselor.  In my free time, I love to watch classic comedies or HGTV, ride in my husband’s antique car in parades, go to concerts or Paint Nites, and spend time with family and friends.

Favorite Quote:  “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”     Maya Angelou

My name is Marlene Cordero, I am a school counselor for the English Learners at Gunston Middle School. I am originally from Bolivia; I completed my bachelor’s degree in Computer Science at Mayor de San Simon University. I received my master’s degree in School Counseling from George Washington University. As a school counselor I am encouraged to support students to strive for their personal best, supporting them in their academic, personal, and socioemotional needs, career exploration and more. When I am not at Gunston, I like to spend time with my family, and friends, travel and listen to music.

Mi nombre es Marlene Cordero, soy consejera escolar para los estudiantes que están aprendiendo inglés en la Escuela Intermedia Gunston. Soy originaria de Bolivia; Completé mi licenciatura en Ciencias de la Computación en la Universidad Mayor de San Simón. Recibí mi maestría en Consejería Escolar de la Universidad George Washington. Como consejera escolar, estoy animada en apoyar a los estudiantes para que se esfuercen por dar lo mejor de sí mismos, apoyándolos en lo académico, personal, socioemocional y con su orientación vocacional. Cuando no estoy en Gunston, me gusta estar en compañía de mi familia y amigos, viajar y escuchar música.

“No matter where you are from your dreams are valid.”  Lupita Nyong’o

My name is DeAndre McCoy and I am one of this year’s new Substance Abuse Counselors with Arlington County Public Schools. I am originally from North Carolina where I obtained my Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Business Administration from East Carolina University in 2008. I later obtained my first Master’s of Science Degree in Human Services Counseling in 2013 and a second Master’s of Science Degree in Addiction and Recovery in 2018 both from Liberty University. Over the years, I have worked several jobs in the mental health and substance abuse field — from being a foster parent for 10 years to working in private practice with both teens and adults. In 2018, I obtain my clinical licenses as a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist in North Carolina and continued my work as a licensed substance abuse therapy. In 2022, I moved to Alexandria, Virginia and later obtained my certification as a Certified Substance Abuse Counselors in 2023. When I am not working and spending time with my (4) God sons, I enjoy listening to music, singing, traveling, and cooking. This 2023-24 school year, I will be the Substance Abuse Counselor for Arlington Community High School and Gunston Middle School and will provide support to Arlington Career Center. If there is any way that I can support you and your student in their educational growth or if you are concerned about the possibility of your student using, please reach out to me. I can be reached via my office line at (703)-228-6927 or via my mobile device at (703)-718-6575.

Substance Abuse Counseling Website 

Hello I’m Michelle Shimizu. This is my second year with APS as a school social worker. Prior to joining APS, I was a school social worker for the City of Alexandria for three years. I earned my MSW from VCU in 2018. I am most proud of being a mother of two amazing and strong willed children, Liani age 11 and David age 9. I’ve been married to my husband, David, for 14 years. I spend all of my free time with my family. We love the outdoors. WE spend our time exploring, traveling, and eating.

Favorite quote: “I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.” — Angela Davis

Mi nombre es María Romero y soy la Especialista Familiar Bilingüe en Gunston. Crecí en Quito, Ecuador, y estudié Arquitectura. Hace ocho años, mi familia y yo nos mudamos a Arlington. Cuando llegamos, no entendíamos el sistema educativo, pero gracias a la ayuda de algunos profesores de Gunston, ya que fue la primera escuela de mi hija mayor, me convertí en una madre líder en la comunidad.He sido líder de padres durante estos años y llevo tres años trabajando como Especialista en Familias Bilingües (BFS). Es una gran satisfacción para mí poder empoderar a las familias y ayudarles a entender y navegar por el sistema educativo para que sus hijos tengan éxito y alcancen sus sueños.En mi tiempo libre, me gusta escuchar música y ver películas con mi familia.

Cita favorita: “La educación es el arma más poderosa que puedes usar para cambiar el mundo.” – Nelson Mandela

My name is María Romero, and I am the Bilingual Family Specialist at Gunston. I grew up in Quito, Ecuador, and studied Architecture. Eight years ago, my family and I moved to Arlington. When we arrived, we didn’t understand the educational system, but thanks to the help of some teachers at Gunston, as it was my eldest daughter’s first school, I became a parent leader in the community.I have been a parent leader for these years and have been working as a Bilingual Family Specialist (BFS) for three years. It is a great satisfaction for me to empower families and help them understand and navigate the educational system so that their children can succeed and achieve their dreams.In my free time, I enjoy listening to music and watching movies with my family.

Favorite Quote: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela

Hello! My name is Shanna Ford and I joined the Gunston family in January of 2020. I took over as the SPED secretary and most recently became the registrar in August of 2022. I am a native of Washington, DC, but came to the Arlington area in middle school. In my spare time I like to spend time with my daughter, family, and friends. I also like to listen to music, watch tv, and relax.

Favorite Quote: “ Focus on the journey. Not the destination.” Anderson

Hello! I am the Interlude Therapist here at Gunston. I received my Master’s in Social Work (MSW) from VCU and have been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for the past 23 years.  I have worked in Arlington County DHS and later went on to work at Marymount University’s Counseling Center and served as the clinical director at George Washington University’s Counseling Center. I have been with APS for the past 8 years as a school social worker.  This year I transitioned to being an Interlude Therapist and I am excited to return to Gunston after having been a school-based mental health therapist here 20 years ago. I enjoy spending time with my family, being outdoors and travelling.

Favorite Quote: “Nothing can dim the light that shines from within” -Maya Angelou

Hi Gunston family, I am excited to join the team as your Intervention Counselor. I grew up in Richmond, VA, where I also graduated from VCU with a bachelor degree in Elementary Education. I completed my graduate degree at George Mason University in K-12 School Counseling.

I started my career in education as a high school behavior coach at a residential day program. I moved on to become a special education teacher at private day schools when I relocated to NoVA. Following these classroom positions, I transitioned into the counseling field and really found my passion, supporting students in and out of the classroom.

Balanced with work, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, practicing yoga, and exploring new cities.

Favorite Quote: “She believed She could, so She did.” – RSG