Student Services Team

Ms. Samantha Best

School Counselor (5th Grade: A-GAI & 6th Grade: A-HOM):

This is Ms. Best’s fourth year working in East Brunswick. Ms. Best graduated from Muhlenberg College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Media and Communications. While working at a Public Relations firm in New York City, Ms. Best thought a lot about her passion for working with children. This sparked her decision to go back to school and pursue a career in School Counseling. Ms. Best was a Student Assistance Specialist at Lawrence Brook for two years but is very excited to be coming back to Hammarskjold! Her counseling journey first began when she interned with in the HUES Student Services department while she completed her Master's in Counseling Services from Rider University. In addition to counseling students, Ms. Best loves spending time with her friends, family, and two German Shepherds–Shay and Jax. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, and going to the beach. Ms. Best is very excited to support the students at HUES and help them to have a fun and successful year!

Mrs. Liz Thibodeau

School Counselor (5th Grade: GAJ-MOR & 6th Grade: HON-PAT)

Mrs. Thibodeau is excited to start her second year at Hammarskjold Upper Elementary School as a school counselor. Mrs. Thibodeau earned her Bachelor’s in Education from Monmouth University where she was able to earn certifications in elementary, art, and special education. She had taught at Central Elementary School from 2014 - 2019. Eager to support more students beyond her classroom, Mrs. Thibodeau returned to school to earn her Master’s in School Counseling at Seton Hall University in 2020.  

She then spent the 5 years at Churchill Junior High School as a school counselor for 8th and 9th graders, supporting students' academic and social/emotional needs. Mrs. Thibodeau has a passion for working with students and supporting their every need, allowing them to reach beyond their potential and be successful students at HUES.

In her free time, Mrs. Thibodeau enjoys hiking, camping, and anything else the great outdoors has to offer with her husband and their 4 dogs: 2 German Shorthaired Pointers, Kenzie and Potato, a Rhodesian Ridgeback, Sarabi, and a Siberian Husky, Malakai. 

Mr. Bryan Wichelman

School Counselor (5th Grade: MOS-Z & 6th Grade: PAU-Z)

After 7 years at East Brunswick High School, Mr. Wichelman is excited to transition to HUES. He believes students grow best when they feel supported, are free to be themselves, and understand that mistakes and challenges are a natural part of learning and growing. Outside of school, Mr Wichelman enjoys staying active, working on classic cars, riding motorcycles, spending time at the beach and hanging out with his cats He looks forward to getting to know the HUES students, and families this year.