Occupation: I am a school counselor at Newtown High School. I’ve been here for 20 years and I just love this job. I love the kids and it’s a joy to come to work every day.

Family: My husband Harry and I have a son, Michael, who lives in Avon. He and his wife, Colleen, have four children, Hadley, 9, Harrison, 7, Francie, 5, and Curran, 3. Our daughter Katie is married to Pete. They live in Ashburnham, Mass., and have three children, Owen, 10, Lindsay, 7, and Gabby, 4 years old.

Pets: We did have an English setter, Maggie, for many years, but we don’t have any pets at the present time.

How long have you lived in Newtown? We’ve lived in Newtown for 38 years. We moved here in 1972 from eastern New York.

What do you like to do in your free time? I belong to a book club and I walk a lot. Exercise is a very important part of my everyday routine. Spending time with friends, when I have some free time, is great.

Do you have a favorite book? The two books I like a lot are Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom, and The Shack by William Young. I just finished reading Hotel On the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford and it was wonderful. I look for books that have a message, I think.

Do you have a favorite travel destination? It’s so hard to pick one, but I guess I’d have to say Hilton Head, S.C. I love the beaches and the tranquility of the place. It’s such a beautiful island.

What is the best thing about Newtown? Obviously, it’s the people. We’ve met so many wonderful, wonderful people here. We raised our kids here, and I love my St Rose community, too. We’ve made great friends, including the faculty and staff at Newtown High School. It’s been a blessing to work in the same town in which I live.

Is there someone you most admire? I would have to say my father. He died 20 years ago. He raised five children with amazing values and respect for life and for others. Do the right thing because it’s the right thing to do, not because of the praise you will earn. Do it for the good of other people. He gave us a moral compass to live by and was an amazing person.

What is the most important lesson you have learned? My granddaughter, Hadley, at a very early age, shared her best advice, “Always try your best,” and I add, “each and every day!” I have always  thought that was great advice and share it very often with my high school students at NHS. Who could ask for anything more?