When seniors at Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School need a letter of recommendation, they often seek out their long time guidance counselor Matt Coleman who has been advising the Class of 2013 since they began their sophomore year in September of 2010.  “It’s time consuming, but I know each and every one of them so well”, he reflected.

Mr. Coleman develops a relationship with each and every student, as well as most of their families, providing support in the social, emotional, academic and career domains. “This includes help with military careers, full time employment in relation to their shops, internships, volunteer applications – they’re not limited to college bound work. I help with whatever their career goal is”.

Career planning begins long before the senior year. When today’s seniors were in their sophomore year, Mr. Coleman was assigned to their class. He made sure they knew which shop was right for their career plan and interests. As juniors, the career awareness and research continued with 10 lessons on career and college planning for every student.

During the first weeks of their senior year, Mr. Coleman scheduled individual appointments with every senior, to check their transcripts to date and review requirements for graduation and beyond, credits earned and G.P.A. He continues to help students find what they need to benefit their post graduate and career plans, whether through post secondary formal education, co-op or externships. He also makes room in his busy schedule to do full SAT/ACT registrations – a testing requirement for colleges - with students who receive free or reduced lunch. This is no small commitment as SAT registration can take from up to 30 minutes per student. “I recommend seniors take the standardized admissions tests at least twice, if their college of choice requires it. I provide them with preparation booklets and teach them how to study for the tests. I also strongly recommend they see their English or Math teacher after school if further help is needed.” He held a College Financing Seminar in November for parents. He also provided each student with “College Planning, Grade 12”, a booklet he prepared for his students. It and a list of scholarships are available at http://www.sersd.org/Students/Services/GuidanceServices.aspx.

Although the end of their high school days draws near, this guidance counselor doesn’t wait for students to come to him, but instead continues to take a proactive approach by meeting with students several times during the year, both individually and, with the support of their academic, vocational and wellness teachers, at the classroom level. “I appreciate the cooperation of the teachers here at Southeastern for giving me the opportunity to address our students”, he said. Mr. Coleman also appreciates Bridgewater State University Kristin Rochefort, who interned under his supervision during the first half of the 2012/13 school year until her graduation last month from the School Counseling Masters Degree 5-12 Program.  As part of her internship at Southeastern, Ms Rochefort helped by registering students SAT and ACT tests using College Board fee waivers, a savings of $50 per test. 

Linda Devoe of Stoughton, mother of senior student Janelle Devoe, describes Mr. Coleman as having done “an outstanding job. My daughter wants to attend nursing school at MA College of Pharmacy or Simmons college. She visits him all the time to talk about her G.P.A., what she needs for the future and applying for scholarships. I myself have spoken with him several times and attended his seminars.” She also added, “I think Southeastern has gone above and beyond.”

Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School is a public 9-12 vocational high school located in South Easton, Massachusetts, serving approximately 1,255 students from the city of Brockton and the towns of East Bridgewater, Easton, Foxborough, Mansfield, Norton, Sharon, Stoughton, and West Bridgewater.