After 17 years of schedule sorting, admissions advising, college counseling, and everything in between, Marla Schay will soon be closing her chapter as a guidance counselor and department head at WHS.

   Schay’s path to an educational career was somewhat unusual. She began her work life in the creative design sector, but she also spent significant time in school environments. As she compared these two experiences, she began to realize that education was her true love.

   “I volunteered in schools a lot, and soon enough I realized the work I was doing for free was even more fun than the work I was doing professionally,” said Schay. 

    Schay pursued further education to be certified as a guidance counselor, and then she began her time at WHS in 2008 in that role before moving into the leadership role of department head, which allowed her to expand her impact.

   “I was a counselor here for seven years. Then when the former [department head] retired, I applied for the position,” said Schay. “As department head, I love still having a caseload of students and counseling responsibilities but being able to marry that with my business experience.”

  The job of guidance department head has proven taxing at times due to its wide reach, varied responsibilities, and high demands. As department head, she oversees all student counseling in the middle and high schools, creates the high school’s master schedule every year, gathers and presents key data about student outcomes to a range of audiences, and reports to the school committee annually. 

   “She is probably the backbone of the entire school and greater Weston community,” said history teacher Caroline Monz. “Her perspective and knowledge are absolutely irreplaceable.”

   Through her almost two decades at WHS, Schay has become well acquainted with the ins and outs of what it takes to be in this leadership position.

   “The biggest challenge is trying to get everything done I need to get done in a day,” said Schay. “It’s not until the very end of the day that I can sit down and answer the emails I need to.”

   Despite the busy nature of the job, Schay’s consistent, outstanding performance in maintaining the realms she oversees as part of the machine that is WHS does is well recognized by those around her.

   “She’s incredibly reliable and a downright excellent problem solver,” said math teacher Erin Lordan. “Ms. Schay is someone everyone in this building can and does depend on.”

   Over the years, she has built lasting partnerships with staff and administrators across departments.

   “She has been an incredibly collaborative partner,” said Mitch Finnegan, head of the health and wellness department. “In any discussion or decision-making, she is always thoughtful about others who may or may not be at the table.”

   A true advocate for all around her, Schay’s impact has echoed beyond managing her department and planning schedules. For many students, Schay was often more than just a counselor; she was a source of comfort, guidance, and reassurance.

   “She guided me through a tumultuous high school career and made my time here much more enjoyable and seamless,” said senior Amy Robson.

   The entire WHS community has observed this deep commitment in action throughout her years of service.

  “The guidance department and Ms. Schay are so much more than just helping kids with their schedules,” said Finnegan. “She truly cares for the whole child.”

   Schay values her relationships with her students as one of the most important aspects of her job and finds it to be the most rewarding.

  “When you see them walking over that stage [at graduation] and you know what they’ve been through and can see their resilience, you know you’ve made a difference,” said Schay. “It’s the biggest feeling.”

   As she prepares to pass the torch, Schay has some heartfelt advice for her successor—wisdom shaped by nearly two decades of experience and connection within the WHS community.  

   “Have a sense of humor, trust your gut, and utilize the relationships that you have with teachers and department heads and students and other counselors,” said Schay. “Being able to build that trust is the most important thing.”

   As Schay begins her journey forward and moves away from WHS, it is clear that her legacy and impact on our community will never be forgotten. 

   “She has been a consistent leader in this building, she balances her work with such empathy,” said principal Susan Bairstow. “Everything she does – every decision, every conversation – is about what is best for the kids.”