Counseling Team
Ms. Lagombra was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Brooklyn. She witnessed her mother working with older adults and she realized she wanted to help others as well. She attended Stony Brook University where she graduated with a degree in Psychology and Sociology then went on to get an MSW degree from Fordham University School of Social Service. She has been working with youths and their families ever since in various social service agencies throughout NY. She believes that adolescents have a voice that needs to be heard and empowered and hopes to provide a space where students feel comfortable in discussing their feelings, concerns and goals while realizing their potential and strength. She loves trying different foods, arts and crafts, and hiking.
Ms. Koehler was born and bred in a small beach town in Sweden (yes, the ocean is deliciously warm off the Swedish West coast!). As an adolescent she did not have access to a school counselor, nor was there an adult in her life who was able to guide her through her options, or help her apply to college. As a result, she has had many jobs; has lived and worked in several countries (Sweden, Egypt, Serbia, Italy, Ecuador, and the UK) until eventually, she found her calling as a school counselor. She received a BA from Antioch Colleges in Interdisciplinary Cultural Studies and later went to Teachers College, Columbia University where she earned an MA in Psychology, an Ed.M in School Counseling, and an Advanced Certificate in College Counseling. Ms. Koehler is passionate about talking to students about mental health and self-discovery. Ms. Koehler strives to increase students’ abilities to advocate for themselves and to map out constructive solutions to both their problems and ambitions. In her free time, she loves reading and listening to storytelling podcasts, caring for her human children, and plant babies, as well as working on crafts.
Mr. Totimeh was born in Waukegan, Illinois, and raised in Philadelphia. Growing up as a creative he has always had a passion for bringing individuals together and creating spaces for joy. He attended Temple University for his B.A. in advertising, account management. This is where he learned the deeper importance of understanding individuals. After, he got accepted into a teacher’s program in New York and received an M.S. in Special Education & General Education from Brooklyn College. Mr. Totimeh has been a teacher for 8 years; teaching is where he learned his true passion. He learned that he did not only want to help scholars learn but also to understand and regulate their emotions and behavior to become the best scholars they can be. While teaching he went back to school to obtain his M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Touro University. He believes we all can be the best version of ourselves and that everyone needs someone that will listen and understand them. In his free time, he enjoys the gym, planning events, sneakers, and spending time with his son.