Ms. Kelly Casinelli   

 Last Names A-C

Kelly Casinelli joined the counseling staff at WBHS in 2017. Kelly earned her bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University in history and her master’s in School Counseling from Central Michigan University. Ms. Casinelli began her career as a Social Studies teacher at the high school level before moving into the Counseling profession. She completed the Michigan College Access Network’s (MCAN)  School Counselor Postsecondary Planning Training Course. Kelly has also completed several ASCA Specialist courses including Mental Health, Anxiety and Stress Management, among others. 

Ms. JoAnne Wegrzynowicz    

Last Names D-HOK

Jo Wegrzynowicz is a counselor at West Bloomfield High School, and is currently entering her 20th year in the district. She has served in many capacities including athletic trainer and middle school counselor. A member of MACAC and attends Promoting the Publics, Jo is also on the Michigan School Counselors State Board and represents counselors at the state level. She is AVID certified and directed the annual college/career fair at Abbott Middle School. As a result, she has developed strong relationships with college admission reps and community leaders. Ms. Wegrzynowicz  works with the NCAA and coaches track and field. She is also an integral part of the staff wellness program. Ms. Wegrzynowicz holds both a Bachelor and Master’s Degree from Central Michigan University.

Ms. Keri Calixte  

Last Names HOL-MOM

Keri Calixte joined the West Bloomfield High School Counseling staff in the fall of 2025. Keri grew up in Upstate New York and spent the majority of her career in Central and Northern Virginia. Keri has a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Hartwick College and a Master's Degree in School Counseling from SUNY Plattsburgh. She has had a variety of roles in education at both the high school and elementary school level including 17 years as a high school counselor. Keri is trained and certified as an AVID School Counselor, a member of the American School Counseling Association, certified as a Career Coach, and is a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) as well. 

  

SAM MAYERS-WHITE

Last Names MON-SG

 

 

 

 

Mr. John Hepper       

 Last Names SH-Z

John Hepper is excited to work with the West Bloomfield Counseling team. John holds a bachelors of electrical engineering from Michigan State University and worked for several years as an engineer and IT professional before returning to the world of education. He earned a masters of education from the University of Notre Dame and taught math for eleven years. Most recently he earned a masters in school counseling from Central Michigan in 2018. He is excited to bring his varied areas of expertise to the students and staff of West Bloomfield High School. 

 

Mrs. Noelle Essig 

College & Career Counselor   

Noelle Essig has spent many years in college admissions and high school counseling, and can honestly say that she has experienced both sides of the admissions desk. Prior to working as a school counselor, Mrs. Essig began her career as an Assistant Director of Admissions at CMU where she worked closely with the Centralis Scholarship program.  Mrs. Essig has also worked at Truman State University and Bowling Green State University in various capacities including Panhellenic advising and residence life. She has completed training through Oakland University as a Career Development Facilitator, attended NCAA training workshops, Promoting the Publics, and completed the MCAN School Counselor Postsecondary Education Planning Course. 

Here at WBHS, Mrs. Essig is our College and Career Center Counselor.  She coordinates our college rep visits to WBHS, educates students via senior seminar presentations, runs an 11th grade series on a variety of topics such as college searches, scholarships, financial aid, testing and summer opportunities.  Mrs. Essig also writes, publishes, and produces the WBHS Counselor Connection newsletter. Mrs. Essig has traveled to hundreds of college campuses in her life. She attended the College Board's Dream Deferred conference in Los Angeles and while there, she toured UCLA, the University of Southern California, Pepperdine, Mount St. Mary's and FIDM.  She participated in the 5 College Tour where she visited Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke, Smith & UMass Amherst.  She recently toured Simmons College, Emerson College, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester Polytechnic, and Brandeis University.  She has spent time at the University of Texas, Harvard, MIT, Boston College, Vanderbilt, WashU in St. Louis, Northwestern, and many more! 

She is starting her 12th year at WBHS. Her prior counseling experience includes 4 years at Milford High School and 1 year with Midland Public Schools.   Noelle earned her bachelor's degree from Central Michigan University and her Master's in Counseling from Bowling Green State University. As the proud mother of four boys, she finds herself traveling often and loves to visit college campuses.

Ms. Carla Jones

Mental Health Specialist 

Carla Jones is excited about returning to the West Bloomfield School District after retiring in 2019. Carla has worked as a school social worker for over 30 years.  She is a licensed social worker with the state of Michigan and a member of the National Academy of Certified Social Workers NASW.   She has worked in Oakland County throughout her career and has many ties with mental health resources.  She also maintains a private practice at Counseling Associates where she services children and families.  Carla has always championed the social emotional needs of students and looks forward to assisting our students and families in her new position.

MEGAN HRYCAJ

Assistant Principal 

Megan Hrycaj (Mrs. H) serves as the Assistant Principal supporting the Counseling Office at West Bloomfield High School. She joined the district in 2016 as an English and

physics teacher. During her time in the classroom, she also served as the school's Testing Coordinator, High School Lead Mentor, and co-Social Emotional Learning Coordinator. As Assistant Principal, Mrs. H works closely with the counseling team to support students' academic, social, and emotional growth. She is passionate about building meaningful relationships with students and families while creating systems that help every student feel connected, supported, and prepared for success. Having spent her entire career here, she values the strong sense of community that makes WBHS a special place to learn and grow. 

Mrs. H earned her bachelor's degree in secondary education from Grand Valley State University, with certifications in English and physics, and her master's degree in educational leadership from Oakland University. She was named West Bloomfield School District Teacher of the Year for the 2024-2025 school year, is a Galileo Teacher Leadership graduate, and participated in Oakland Schools' Aspiring Principals Leadership Academy. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time and traveling with her husband and their two young sons and is an avid reader.