Marguerite Opett is our School Counselor who joined us in 2017. Marguerite obtained her undergraduate degree in psychology from SUNY Brockport. She received her M.A. degree in psychology, with a concentration in child psychology from Brockport. She earned a M.S. degree in School Counseling from the University of Rochester. Marguerite began her career in the Rochester City School District and East Irondequoit where she gained experience at the middle school level. She transitioned to the elementary level at St. Kateri Elementary School in West Irondequoit before coming to French Road. Marguerite loves working with third-fifth graders and teaching them resilience skills that they can take with them throughout their school years. Marguerite provides individual and group counseling, as well as teacher and family consultations. She delivers classroom lessons including Second Step, Social Justice and Community Circles. This year Marguerite also earned the distinction of being named a Master Counselor in New York State. 

Outside of school, Marguerite enjoys spending time with her husband, three teenage girls and her pups!

Marguerite works with the following classrooms in the 2023-2024 school year: D. Simmons, Holfoth, MacArthur, Pettit, Chai, McSweeney, Giordano, Clark & Cordova

See her introduction video here! 

Opett Intro Video

Tara O'Brien is our School Social Worker, who joined us in November 2018. Tara is a Victor High School Graduate, who then studied at SUNY Geneseo for her undergraduate degree, finishing with her Master of Social Work at the University of Buffalo in 2006. Tara is married with two sons. Tara previously worked with adolescents who struggled with trauma and mental health, providing psychotherapy as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, to them and their families. Tara's passion for working with children revolves around them feeling worthy and good enough, with a goal for them to be happy and healthy adults.

Tara provides individual and group counseling, as well as Community Circles, Second Step lessons, and Social Justice lessons in the classrooms at FRES. Outside of school, Tara enjoys sports, spending time with her family and friends, and traveling.

Tara works with the following classrooms in the 2023-2024 school year: Abplanalp, Moulton, Dachille, Willis, Kosoff, Webster, Gottfried, & McKnight

Ngozi Okafor is our School Social Worker/Behavioral Specialist for the PATH program who joined us in 2022. Ngozi obtained his undergraduate degree in psychology and sociology from Fort Hays State University and his Masters Degree in Social Work, with a concentration in Child and Family from Roberts Wesleyan University. Ngozi began his educational career at Halpern Education Center and then transitioned to the Rochester City School District at Leadership Academy before coming to French Road. He is also a Freshman Basketball Head Coach at Webster Schroeder High School. Ngozi enjoys working with the youth and being an engaging, inspirational piece to their lives. The knowledge and joy he gets from students is forever evolving and fulfilling. Outside of a school wide setting, Ngozi loves his time with his family, maintaining his spiritual foundation, reading, sports, Black History and listening to music. 

Mr. Okafor works with the following classrooms for the 2023-2024 School year: Tosto, Jenny, Higgins, Colins, Leckenby, Eden, French

Katy Huey graduated from Keuka College with a B.A in Psychology and then received her Masters' Degree at the University of Rochester in School Counseling.  Prior to starting at FRES in January 2022, she was a middle school counselor at an all-girls charter school for several years. Ms. Huey is married with two sons, Michael and Casey, and a loving dog, Molly.  She loves working with children to help them feel empowered and self-confident about who they are. 

In her free time, Katy enjoys hiking, playing volleyball, and spending time with friends and family. 

Katy works with the following classrooms in the 2023-2024 school year: Brucato, Tufts, Schenk, Bozek, Ackerman, Rhodes, Close, Masz & C. Simmons

David Glasser is our School Psychologist, who joined French Road at the beginning of the 2023-24 school year. Mr. Glasser was raised near Syracuse, NY. He studied Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Rochester before attending graduate school at RIT for School Psychology. Before joining the FRES team, Mr. Glasser worked as a school psychologist in Fairfax County, VA where he split his time supporting students across multiple schools. He is excited to build relationships with our community in Brighton and get to know our families and staff!

In his free time, he enjoys spending time out in nature, whether hiking, swimming, or kayaking. Mr. Glasser and his partner are making the difficult choice on whether to get a cat or a dog, but they can’t wait to have one or the other (or both)! He also enjoys playing board games and RPGs, reading sci-fi and fantasy novels, and trying new foods with friends and family.

As part of his role in FRES, Mr. Glasser acts as the CSE Chairperson and works with all grade levels in the building. He works with teachers, specialists, administrators, other mental health staff, and our families to ensure students are provided with a wide range of support that ensures high expectations within the least restrictive environment.

Lydia Kiner is a recent graduate from Binghamton University, with a B.A. in Psychology. She worked as a substitute Teaching Assistant at Council Rock Primary School for the past 4 years and as both a Teaching Assistant and Aide for the Brighton Extended School Year program for 3 summers. She is very excited to be continuing with the roles of New Student Club Coordinator and Primary Project Child Associate at French Road Elementary School. Through these roles she will be helping new students and designated third graders adjust, acclimate, and thrive in the French Road community. 

Miss. Kiner grew up in Brighton and is so happy to be back and working in the community that has given her so much love and support. Go Bruins!!!

Arielle Hadsell is a Master of Social Work student at Nazareth University and is working with Tara O’Brien for the 2023-2024 school year. Arielle is a Pittsford graduate, who then studied at Ithaca College obtaining a B.A in Psychology. Arielle loves working with children and hopes to become a school social worker when she graduates in May.

In her free time, Arielle loves to spend time with her family and her dog Lilac!

Maria Hill is our School Registrar and Counseling Office Administrative Assistant.  Mrs. Hill is married with 3 grown sons.