Hello, my name is Jeff Poelstra and I am the new Guidance Counselor at Wayland Middle School. My primary role as the guidance counselor is to support students in whatever needs that they may have - academic, behavioral, and / or social. A bit about myself: I attended Western Michigan University and have an undergraduate degree in Special Education and a graduate degree in School Counseling. Prior to starting here in August 2021, I spent the past 12 years as a high school counselor on the north side of Grand Rapids, and worked in special education prior to that. I have a passion for improving school pride and supporting struggling students. When I am not at school, I enjoy camping, spending time with family and friends, traveling, coaching soccer, and watching sports and other events.
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My name is Mr. Newman and I’m the social worker at Wayland Union Middle School. I began my career as a school social worker in 2010 in a small school in Ionia County and started working at Wayland Union Schools in 2016. As a school social worker, I am here to support our students’ growth, both socially and emotionally. I meet with students individually and in group settings. I mostly work with students with IEPs, but other students can sign up to see me using the middle school’s office sign up form.
I grew up in a small town in Mid Michigan and have 2 older brothers and 1 older sister. In my personal time, I enjoy fishing, coaching football here at the middle school and spending time with family. I graduated from Michigan State University (Go Green!) in 2006 with a Family and Community Services degree and received my Master’s of Social Work from Western Michigan University in 2010. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at [email protected].
I grew up in a small town in Mid Michigan and have 2 older brothers and 1 older sister. In my personal time, I enjoy fishing, coaching football here at the middle school and spending time with family. I graduated from Michigan State University (Go Green!) in 2006 with a Family and Community Services degree and received my Master’s of Social Work from Western Michigan University in 2010. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at [email protected].
Brett Newman, LMSW
School Social Worker
701 Wildcat Dr.
Wayland, MI 49348
269-792-2306
[email protected]
School Social Worker
701 Wildcat Dr.
Wayland, MI 49348
269-792-2306
[email protected]
Welcome Mrs. Linderman! Mrs. Linderman is a social worker from Pine Rest that will be working with Wayland Union Middle School this year providing more in depth counseling/therapy services right here at school. She also is providing district Mental Health resources. Check out the "Mental Health & I website. If you wish to try to connect your child with this service, please contact Mr. Poelstra.