Mrs. Doherty joined OVMS in 2023. Prior to joining OVMS, Mrs. Doherty served as the School Counselor and Anti-bullying Specialist in Folsom, NJ for over ten years. In addition, Mrs. Doherty served as an educational leader for the NJ Positive Behavior Supports in Schools (PBSIS), supported by Rutgers University. She serves on the OVMS I&RS team and 504 team. Mrs. Doherty is also a professional member of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA).

Mrs. Doherty holds a Master of Education degree in Elementary and Secondary School Counseling from Wilmington University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Rowan University. She is certified in K-12 School Counseling, and was honored to be named the Support Services Educational Professional of the Year in 2018.

Mrs. Doherty enjoys spending time with her family and friends, cupcake decorating, and crafting. She is grateful to work with the students and families of OVMS. 

Appointments: Email

Mr. Jedwabny has been a School Counselor at OVMS since 2011. Mr. Jedwabny is involved with many organizations and committees, such as the I&RS Team, the Section 504 Committee, and the Gloucester County Professional Middle School Counselors Association. Prior to joining the School Counseling department, he was an Art teacher at OVMS for ten years. Mr. Jedwabny is the 8^th grade class co-advisor, OVMS Girls Basketball Coach, and advises the Indoor Soccer program.

In addition to being a certified School Counselor, Mr. Jedwabny holds New Jersey certificates of Art Teacher, Supervisor, Principal, and Director of School Counseling Services. Mr. Jedwabny is a proud graduate of Rowan University (’01,’08) and Wilmington University (’12). He has been honored as OVMS Teacher of the Year in 2011, GCPMSCA Middle School Counselor of the Year in 2017, and NJSCA Gloucester County School Counselor of the Year in 2018.

Mr. Jedwabny enjoys rooting for Philadelphia sports teams, watching movies, creating artwork, working on projects around the house, and spending time with his family and friends.

Appointments: Email

Mrs. Stokes joined the OVMS staff in 2016.  Prior to joining the staff at OVMS, Mrs. Stokes held the position of Middle School Counselor in Delanco Township, NJ. She serves on the OVMS I&RS team and 504 committee. She also is a member of the District Crisis Counseling Response Team. Mrs. Stokes is a member of the Gloucester County Professional Middle School Counselors Association and the New Jersey School Counseling Association.

Mrs. Stokes has a Master of Arts degree in Counseling in Educational Settings from Rowan University and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Childhood Studies from Rutgers University. She holds the certificate of K-12 School Counselor. Mrs. Stokes is currently continuing her education at Rowan University to receive her Student Assistance Coordinator (SAC) certificate.

In her spare time, Mrs. Stokes enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, reading, and loves to relax at the beach during the summer.

Mrs. Stokes is very excited about starting a new school year! 

Appointments: Email

Mrs. Julia Owens holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Rowan University and a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University. She is a Licensed Associate Counselor with specialized training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and other evidence-based treatment modalities. She has extensive experience working with youth across various settings, including Foster care/Adoption Services, Psychiatric Community Residentials, Intensive In-Community services, and traditional Outpatient services. Julia is dedicated to providing compassionate and effective counseling support.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Julia enjoys spending time at the beach, hiking, reading, and having coffee with friends.

TRANSITIONAL COACH INFORMATION: Program Registration Form
In response to the critical shortage of student support services across the nation's schools, where the average counselor-to-student ratio is 1-to-408, our program introduces a novel approach to address the unmet behavioral health needs of students. At a time when nearly 40% of students are battling untreated behavioral health disorders—a situation that significantly affects attendance, instructional time, disciplinary issues, and overall school climate—we offer hope.

Our program uniquely positions Transitional Coaches in schools to bridge the gap in student support services. These professionals, with their background in counseling, social work, and related fields, are dedicated to nurturing the potential within each child, assisting them to navigate challenges such as academic underachievement, bullying, negative peer influences, grief and loss, low self-esteem, and more.

Working in close collaboration with the school counselors, school leadership team, and staff, Transitional Coaches focus on the holistic development of students. They implement an evidence-based curriculum aimed at fostering respect for authority, goal setting, assertive communication, substance use prevention, cultural respect, self-value, and coping mechanisms for personal issues, trauma, and anxiety, among other topics.

Our service is uniquely designed to ensure accessibility and inclusivity, provided at no cost to students, families, or schools, and without affecting any family’s insurance premiums or plans. By aligning with the school's and district's overarching missions and goals, our program not only supports the individual student but also enhances the overall school climate, ensuring a nurturing environment for all students to thrive.