Michael Catalano, Ed.D.

Michael Catalano, Ed.D., a graduate of Russell Sage College’s Professional School Counseling master’s program, was named the 2025 New York State School Counselor of the Year by the New York State School Counselor Association (NYSSCA). The award was presented on November 14 at the NYSSCA annual conference in Rochester.

Catalano is in his 27th year as a school counselor at Saugerties High School. In the following Q&A, he describes how Sage shaped his professional path and the connections he sees between academic guidance, service learning, and student empowerment.

What attracted you to a career in school counseling?

I was drawn to school counseling because I wanted to help young people find purpose, direction, and confidence during one of the most important transitions of their lives. Growing up, I did not have a traditional or easy path, and I understand deeply how much a supportive adult can change a student’s trajectory. School counseling allowed me to combine my passion for human development with my commitment to service. I wanted to be the person who helps students see their strengths — especially the ones they don’t yet see in themselves.

What attracted you to Sage for graduate school?

Sage stood out to me because of its reputation for developing compassionate, innovative educators. What impressed me most was Sage’s balance of theory and practical application. The faculty’s commitment to real-world preparation, combined with small class sizes and individualized mentorship, made Sage the ideal place to grow as both a practitioner and a leader.

How did your Sage education prepare you for your work? Are there ideas or experiences from Sage that have stayed with you?

Sage taught me to approach counseling from both a humanistic and systems perspective. I left the program with strong clinical skills, but also with a deep understanding of how schools function — and how to support students by collaborating with teachers, families, and community partners. One of the most lasting lessons from Sage was the importance of meeting students where they are. That mindset has shaped everything I do, whether I’m helping a student through a crisis, guiding them toward a college or career path, or connecting them with hands-on experiences in the trades. The reflective practice emphasized at Sage still guides me today.

Tell me a little about your day-to-day work; what do you especially enjoy about working with high schoolers?

Every day is completely different, and that’s one of the things I love most about this work. My day may include academic advising, crisis support, career exploration, family meetings, classroom presentations, and community outreach. I also mentor students through hands-on electrical and service-learning projects — connecting their hearts to their hands. What I enjoy most about high schoolers is their honesty, energy, and potential. They are standing at the doorway between adolescence and adulthood, and you get to help them shape who they’re becoming. There is nothing more meaningful than watching a student discover their talent, overcome a barrier, or achieve a goal they once thought was out of reach.

When you think about the achievements that contributed to your Counselor of the Year recognition, which accomplishments feel most meaningful to you?

The accomplishments that mean the most to me are the ones rooted in community and student empowerment. I’ve worked to reconnect education to the trades, helping students gain real-world skills through projects like wiring Habitat for Humanity homes, volunteering on service upgrades for families in need, and partnering closely with local organizations. These experiences build confidence, teach responsibility, and help students see how their skills can make a difference. Being recognized as School Counselor of the Year is an honor, but the true reward is watching young people step into the world knowing they are capable, valued, and needed.

Are you now a candidate for a nationwide award? What are the next steps?

Yes. After receiving the New York State School Counselor of the Year award, I am now moving forward in the process for national recognition through the American School Counselor Association. The next steps include compiling a comprehensive portfolio, submitting a video profile, collecting data on student impact, and participating in interviews. It is a rigorous process, but it pushes me to reflect deeply on my practice and continuously improve the services I provide to students.

Are you preparing for any other personal or professional milestones right now?

I am continuing to expand my work connecting students to the skilled trades, completing my book Wired for Success: Reconnecting Education to the Trades and working on additional community service projects that strengthen the partnership between schools and local organizations. I also mentor students and early-career counselors who are interested in making a difference through experiential learning and service.

Is there anything I didn’t ask that you would like to add?

I would simply add that everything I do is grounded in gratitude — for the educators who supported me, for the students who inspire me daily, and for institutions like Sage that invest in preparing caring, competent professionals. My journey is living proof that education changes lives, and I am honored to help carry that forward.