Jennifer Thomas
(She/Her/Her )Coordinator of Counseling Services
Jennifer Thomas is a clinical social worker who has worked with teens, young adults and families for over 25 years. Jen grew up in the suburbs of Boston, attended Boston College where she got her BA in Philosophy. A few years later, she went back to school earning her MSW at Boston University. She has worked in a variety of settings: residential care, in home family therapy services, provided counseling at a special education school, group home care helping to open the first program for LGBTQ youth in foster care in New England. Additionally, she has worked in two therapy practices as well as has her own private practice.
Jen has worked at New Liberty Innovation School for over ten years now. What she loves about this role is the continuous learning she experiences through our school community. Highlights include: learning about Dominican culture and the City of Salem while supporting urban youth to thrive in school, follow their dreams and reach their goal of graduating from high school, working to make a more just world with our students through Race Matters conversations. It is an honor to witness students grow and make positive changes in their life on their path forward. This is what keeps Jen coming back every year excited for the family feeling here at New Liberty.
Jen is passionate about working on a team that challenges her, staying connected to friends and family and engaging in local politics while serving on the Melrose School Committee.
When not working, Jen can be found hiking in the woods with her labradoodle, Willy or watching basketball games that her daughters are playing in (Claire age 10 and Cailin age 13)while her spouse, Andrea coaches them up.
“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.” Rachel Carson