The Guidance and School Counseling office at Lacey Township High School extends a warm welcome to students, parents, and guardians. Guidance services are an integral part of the high school’s total educational program. Each student is an individual with unique goals, experiences, problems, abilities and resources. The department is designed to help students develop positive self-concepts, effective decision-making skills, and a sense of responsibility for their actions. Counselors work with the individual and their families, as well as with groups.   All counselors assist with academic planning, the college admissions process, vocational planning, career planning, and personal concerns.

Lacey Township High School Guidance & Counseling Staff

Mrs. Christine Ayers
cayers@laceyschools.org
609-971-2020, 2011
Christine Ayers holds her Masters Degree in School Counseling and earned her Professional Counseling certificate from Monmouth University. She has served as a school counselor for over ten years, always seeking to provide a safe place for students to land in a time of need, assisting with coping and transition skills for later life success. In addition, she provides small group counseling, for both a psychoeducational approach and to boost coping skills. As a high school counselor, Mrs. Ayers believes that the best form of future planning is personally-tailored college and career counseling.

Mrs. Kelly Brown
kbrown@laceyschools.org
Student Assistance Coordinator
Mrs. Brown has served Lacey Township School District for over a decade in the SAC role. Specializing in helping students through challenging seasons or everyday struggles, Mrs. Brown has aided hundreds of Lacey youth during her tenure. Further, she is the former President of the ASAP-NJ, the statewide SAC association, and is actively involved in the Ocean County SAC group as well. Mrs. Brown holds her Master of Arts degree in Holistic Health Studies from Georgian Court University, and serves as an adjunct professor at Kean University. 

Mrs. Stephanie Cook
scook@laceyschools.org
609-971-2020, 2017
Mrs. Stephanie Cook has been an experienced school counselor since 2004.  Her academic resume includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Dickinson College, as well as a Masters of Education and an Education Specialist Degree from James Madison University.  As a resident of Lacey, she is thrilled to be working in her own community. Mrs. Cook’s primary goal as your child’s school counselor is to promote their academic, personal, and social development.  Helping students feel secure personally and emotionally enables her to work with them to set meaningful academic goals.

Mrs. Nicole Cruz
ncruz@laceyschools.org
609-971-2020, 2018
Mrs. Cruz is currently on maternity leave; Mr. Skeeter is the long term substitute overseeing her students. He may be contacted through her same extension and via zskeeter@laceyschools.org. 

Mrs. Nicole Cruz joined the Lacey Township High School Guidance Department in January 2018.  Mrs. Cruz graduated from Georgian Court University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and went on to obtain her Masters in Education with a Certificate in School Counseling. She is very excited to work in this wonderful school district to prepare the next generation to be productive citizens of society.  As a School Counselor, Mrs. Cruz feels her primary role is to promote academic, personal, and social/emotional development of all students. She will be meeting with students individually and in small groups throughout the year. Another aspect of her job will be collaborating with teachers, administrators, staff, families, and stakeholders to ensure LTHS is fostering an encouraging, safe, and effective learning community for our students.

Mrs. Danielle Spinuzza
dspinuzza@laceyschools.org
609-971-2020, 2035
Mrs. Spinuzza is currently on maternity leave; Ms. Coppola is the long-term substitute overseeing her students.  She may be contacted through her same extension and via bdechiaro@laceyschools.org

Mrs. Spinuzza joined the Lacey Township High School Counseling Department in September of 2021. Mrs. Spinuzza is invested in supporting all students' social, emotional, and academic development. Mrs. Spinuzza graduated from Chestnut Hill College, where she was a student athlete. Mrs. Spinuzza received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and minoring in Sociology. She then continued her education at Wilmington University where she earned a Master’s Degree in Elementary and Secondary School Counseling. Mrs. Spinuzza is extremely excited to be a part of Lacey Township High School’s Counseling Department and looks forward to supporting all students and their families during their time at Lacey Township High School. 

Ms. Elyse Winkle
ewinkle@laceyschools.org
609-971-2020, 2015
Ms. Elyse Winkle is a committed and enthusiastic Student Assistance Coordinator who previously served as a school counselor in the district for the last 15 years. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Montclair State University followed by a Masters of Education with a school counseling certificate from Georgian Court University. Ms. Winkle also holds certifications as a Supervisor and Director of Guidance. As a lifelong learner, Ms. Winkle aims to positively motivate, guide, and counsel students through focusing on each individual students’ needs throughout their high school experience.