Meet Your Counselors!
Dr. Monique M. Cowell, Director of School Counseling CowellMM@pwcs.edu
Greetings! I hail from city of brotherly love, Philadelphia, PA and I was a longstanding resident of the garden state, NJ. My husband, a native of Virginia, and I moved to the northern Virginia area in 2009. I have extensive experience in child and family law, child protective services, and education. I have been in the school counseling profession since 2011 and my primary focus has been in a secondary setting. As an educator I have worked in Falls Church City Public Schools, Manassas City Public Schools, Alexandria City Public Schools and now Prince Williams County Public Schools.
I am a lifelong learner. Academically I received Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Political Science from Stockton University located in Pomona, NJ, a theology degree and license from NY Theology and Biblical Institute located in NY, NY, a Master of Education in School Counseling from Liberty University located in Lynchburg, VA and a Doctorate of Education in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Counseling Education and Supervision. Currently I attend Trinity University in Washington, DC where I am in pursuit of an administration endorsement. Professionally I am a candidate for clinical licensure.
I believe all students can succeed and all educators are leaders! I also believe in empowering individuals through advocacy, leadership, and working collaboratively with a multi-tiered support system that ensures academic development, social/emotional development, and college/career readiness. Together we can build nations, divided we can witness individuals fall. Here is to partnering to build globally competitive, lifelong learners that are productive citizens!
Some fun facts about me is that I have two amazingly smart, talented, and beautiful daughters. I have an 10 lb long hair chihuahua/papillon mix that thinks she is Mike Tysin but is all bark and kisses. I love shoes and anything polka dots. My eyeglasses change with my outfit. I believe that a smile is contagious and all things bad can be looked at as an opportunity to turn things around.
Ms. Medina Gipson: This will be my 34th year in education with the past 16 years serving in Prince William County. I hold a Master’s Degree in Education from Abilene Christian University with endorsements in School Counseling, Supervision and Instruction, and Special Education. I am new at Woodbridge Middle School and have witnessed that your children are in good hands. Administrators and teachers are committed to academic success for all students. My role as one of the school counselors is to provide support for that same success.
Ms. Gipson provides support for students with the last names A-C
Gipsonmd@pwcs.edu
Ms. DeAnne Lewis: I am a native Northern Virginian from Fairfax County. Prior to coming to PWCS, I served as a primary counselor for an intensive inpatient drug/alcohol program along with working for ASAP (Alcohol Safety Action Program) in Fairfax. This will be my 26th year in education here in Prince William County. The first 20 years, I spent working for the Office of Student Services as a Student Assistance Program Specialist (SAPS); providing primary prevention and intervention in the areas of substance abuse, bullying, mediations, violence, and suicide. I served thousands of students during those years at all three grade levels; high school, middle, and elementary. I have a Master's Degree in Counseling from Suffolk University, Boston, MA and have an endorsement in school counseling. My goal as a middle school counselor is to stress the importance of integrity at all times, taking care of oneself, asking for help, and encouraging healthy peer relationships. Through my humor and direct but caring approach with students, I am hopeful they will make the necessary behavioral changes to help ensure academic and social success.
Mrs. Lewis provides support for students with the last names D-J
LewisD@pwcs.edu
Mr. Julio Zevallos
I have been working in education for the last 27 years, and have worked with English learners for over a decade. I completed my Masters degree in School Counseling at George Mason University. At Woodbridge Middle, I enjoy counseling individual students and working with all members of the school staff in order to better coordinate services for any student that needs help. I am fully bilingual in English and Spanish. I want to help all students become caring, responsible members of the community.
Mr. Zevallos provides support for students with the last names Re-Z
Zevallosjc@pwcs.edu