We are pleased to announce that Courtney Porter will be SAU6’s first Director of Student Wellness, Access, and Counseling. Ms. Porter is no stranger to the district, having served as School Social Worker, the McKinney-Vento Liaison, and the DCYF Foster Care Point of Contact for SAU 6 since 2013.  Many of her current responsibilities will translate over to her new role. This position is 90% funded through grants, she will supervise social workers and contracted service providers, and work side-by-side with school principals to supervise school counselors.

“The expertise and familiarity with Claremont that Ms. Porter brings to her new role is invaluable to our schools,” said Claremont Superintendent Tim Broadrick. “Student wellness is essential to education, and she will be instrumental in bridging the gap between compliance with federal and state laws and effective school-level support.”

Long-serving Disnard Elementary School principal Melissa Lewis added, “Claremont will find no other individual who is as committed to bringing needed resources to all our families. Courtney has worked tirelessly to develop relationships with our families and our students. Those relationships afford her the opportunity to assist families, connect them to resources, and advocate tirelessly for their needs.”

The Director of Student Wellness, Access, and Counseling is a new director-level position that will oversee the development of a district-wide, K-12 counseling program that follows New Hampshire Department of Education regulations. Ms. Porter’s role will be varied and wide-ranging, with all responsibilities connecting through a common thread of student well-being. She will:

• Serve as the district’s McKinney-Vento liaison, Title IX coordinator, and Civil Rights officer, ensuring compliance with state and federal law
• Provide training and develop procedures for SAU 6’s 504 case managers and other staff
• Be the Suicide Prevention Coordinator, coordinating training and keeping central records
• Coordinate and directly support school crisis teams
• Lead MTSS-B implementation for all schools
• Manage relationships with service provides as the NH SASS grant coordinator
• Continue as the DCYF/Foster Care Point of Contact

Ms. Porter has certifications from both the NH Department of Education as a School Social Worker and from the NH Board of Mental Health Practice. Prior to joining SAU 6 thirteen years ago, she was the Education and Disabilities Manager and Children’s Services Manager at NEKCA Head Start/Early Head Start in Barton, VT. In 2020, the Chamber of Commerce summarized Ms. Porter's commitment, effort, and love for the Claremont community when they named her Citizen of the Year. That same year, she was also recognized as the National Association of Social Workers NH Social Worker of the Year.

Ms. Porter earned both Master of Education and Master of Social Work degrees from the University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH, and a Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Studies/Early Childhood Education from Granite State College (GSC) in Claremont. She also holds a Post-Baccalaureate Teaching Certificate from GSC.

“I know where we are with student wellness in Claremont, and I know what we need to do next to make real impacts, in and out of school,” said Ms. Porter. “I’m looking forward to building a comprehensive, and deeply supportive counseling and student services framework for all of our students in every grade.”