2026 School Counselor of the Year, New Jersey State Representative:
karissa handler
The New Jersey School Counselor Association (NJSCA) School Counselor of the Year program honors the best of the best in New Jersey -- school counselors who are running a top-notch, comprehensive school counseling program at either the elementary, middle or high school level. This year’s school counselor of the year candidates completed an extensive application process and were judged by a panel of counseling professionals on multiple criteria, including school counseling innovations, effective school counseling programs, leadership skills, and contributions to student achievement.
Karissa Handler has worked as a school counselor at Columbia High School since 2019.
After receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Professional Writing in 2011 from The College of New Jersey, she spent years working in public relations and media. While living in NYC, Karissa began volunteering with iMentor - serving as a professional mentor at The Young Women in Leadership charter in Bushwick, NY. Her four-year commitment to her student, Nia, was what ignited her passion and pushed her to obtain her Masters Degree in Counseling. She graduated from Montclair State University in 2018 where she served as a graduate assistant in the Educational Foundations department. She began her counseling career supporting NJ families through in-home crisis intervention, before finding her way to CHS.
Some notable achievements of her time at Columbia High School include designing the perseverance breakfast, now in its fourth year, which honors graduating seniors who have demonstrated remarkable resilience. What began as simply presenting certificates during a larger ceremony has evolved into an intimate celebration of unsung heroes, bringing together students, families, counselors, and administrators at the end of the academic year. She has also led planning for senior recognition night for the last three years, as well as the 25-26 college, career, military and gap year fair, a range of professional development programming, and many college tours.
Having secured a significant Achieve Foundation grant for three consecutive years, Karissa and her colleagues are able to circumvent district budgetary restrictions and provide free field trips for EOF-eligible students to different trade schools, county colleges, and four year universities across the state. For many of these students, the trips serve as their first time visiting a college campus.
Karissa has also served her district in various capacities including as the director of the summer bridge program, Cougar Prep, an instructor for the Freshman Academy seminar, advisor for the National Honor Society, and co-advisor for the CHS Yearbook since 2020. She also serves as a volunteer college counselor through Matchlighters, a community-based organization, and as a foster dog mama, having helped nearly 20 furry friends in the 12 months.
In addition to being named New Jersey State School Counselor of the Year, Mrs. Handler was named the Essex County School Counselor of the Year for the 2024-2025 school year. She is currently an executive board member of the Essex County School Counselor Association, the New Jersey School Counselor Association, and the New Jersey Association for College Admissions Counselors.
Click here to read about past NJ State School Counselor of the Year representatives.
The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) celebrates state representatives for the School Counselor of the Year program.
The School Counselor of the Year program honors the professionals who devote their careers to serving as advocates for the nation’s students, helping them achieve success in school and in life.
View video message from for First Lady Michelle Obama.
Nominations for the School Counselor of the Year awards program are submitted by the state school counselor associations. State representatives were selected based on several criteria, including: school counseling innovations, effective school counseling programs, leadership and advocacy skills and contributions to student advancement.
“School counselors make significant contributions to the overall well‐being of students and their success,” said Richard Wong, Ed.D., executive director, American School Counselor Association. “They have unique qualifications and skills that allow them to address students’ academic achievement, career development and social/emotional needs.”
About the American School Counselor Association
The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) professional organization based in Alexandria, Va. ASCA promotes student success by expanding the image and influence of professional school counseling through leadership, advocacy, collaboration and systemic change. ASCA helps school counselors guide their students toward academic achievement, career planning and social/emotional development to help today’s students become tomorrow’s productive, contributing members of society. Founded in 1952, ASCA currently has a network of 50 state associations and a membership of approximately 30,000 school counseling professionals. For additional information on the American School Counselor Association, visit www.schoolcounselor.org.
About the New Jersey School Counselor Association
The New Jersey School Counselor Association is the organization which represents professional school counseling in New Jersey. The organization promotes excellence in the school counseling profession and to advocate for the development of all students. Click here to learn more.