Gunston Welcomes New Director of Counseling

Exciting News, Gunston Community!

We are thrilled to welcome Ms. Niasharee Frater as our new Director of Counseling at Gunston Middle School, effective November 12, 2024!

Ms. Frater brings over a decade of student services leadership experience from her roles as Lead School Counselor and Sub Director of Student Services at Mount Vernon High School within Fairfax County Public Schools. During her time there, she championed Collaborative Learning Team meetings, used social-emotional learning data to drive impactful interventions, and boosted advanced course enrollment by 10%.As an Equity Lead, Ms. Frater actively promoted culturally responsive practices, facilitated professional development, and aligned these initiatives with school improvement goals. She has also managed career readiness programs, coordinated SAT/ACT testing compliance, and secured grant funding to support students. Her expertise in special education, academic advising, and course sequencing will be invaluable at Gunston.

Ms. Frater’s dedication to fostering inclusive, data-driven, and student-centered environments shines through her work, from mentoring new counselors to managing summer transition programs for at-risk students. She holds an M.Ed. in Education Leadership and Special Education from George Mason University, an M.A. in Educational Counseling, and a B.A. in Sociology-Social Work from California State University.

Please join us in congratulating Ms. Frater as she begins this exciting new chapter at Gunston!