Teacher Profile: Jeff Tolson,

Newtown High School

By Andrew Rote

“I want to bring a new energy, a new enthusiasm to the staff and students,” said Jeff Tolson, the new guidance counselor at Newtown High School.

Mr Tolson brings a fun attitude to Newtown, in hopes to develop ways to interact and relate with the students. Along with his love for education, he brings energy and experience.

After graduating from the University of Maryland and earning his bachelor’s degree in special education, Mr Tolson began teaching at a high school just outside of Washington, DC. There, he worked in a program for underachieving students, using any educational experiences he had to help them.

After three years, he moved to New Hampshire, serving as an elementary school teacher for one year. He then worked in alternative education in New Hampshire until teaching at a private Catholic school. There, he taught English and Humanities, and coached varsity soccer.

For the last five years, Mr Tolson has been a guidance counselor at Portsmouth High School in New Hampshire. Once the kids that he attended to graduated he decided it was the perfect time to move.

Originally moving to Newtown to live near family, Mr Tolson seems to be fitting in perfectly.

“It feels like an excellent match for me,” he said.

In addition to being a guidance counselor, Mr Tolson is starting a field hockey league in Newtown. He loves having an outside relationship with the students.

Newtown was obviously the place for Mr Tolson. While he received many offers from other schools in the area, he chose to work here because of the reputation and the staff.

“The school culture is positive and professional,” Mr Tolson said. “It’s so different from every place that I’ve been.”

He explained that everyone is involved and the staff encourages continuous effort.

The thing that Mr Tolson misses the most is the classroom. He misses the one-on-one relationship with the students; however, he loves where he is now.

“I see no end,” Mr Tolson said about his new, hopefully long-lasting career. “This is great. This is where I want to be.”