Department: School Counseling
Ms. Savannahrae Ehrlich
Ms. Savannahrae Ehrlich
LuHi Role: School Counselor, joined the LuHi staff in 2022
Education: Farmingdale State College, BS in Applied Psychology (Magna cum Laude); Long Island University, MS in School Counseling (Summa cum Laude
What I love about my role: LuHi is a very welcoming environment, and being new to the School Counseling office I was worried I’d feel out of place, but I always felt at home. Everyone works together and cares for one another and the students can feel that when they walk in.
Hobbies/Interests: I love to read, go to Pilates classes, and cook/bake!
What I love about LuHi: LuHi feels like a home away from home. The students and staff are a community like no other. Every hallway is met with a smiling face and welcoming chatter. It’s a great place to work and I’m so excited to be here another year!
Dr. Lisa Haggerty
Dr. Lisa Haggerty
LuHi Role: School Psychologist, joined the LuHi staff in 2005
Education: Cornell University (1988), BA; Hofstra University (1990), MA; Hofstra University (1994), Ph.D.
What I love about my role: I love working with the students – and I love the atmosphere at LuHi.
Other professional experience: I’ve worked in Levittown, Island Trees, South Huntington, Bay Shore, and Jericho (where I am currently a full time employee, placed at LuHi 4 days per week)
Hobbies/Interests: Animals, cooking, gardening
Family: I am married to Sean (32 years) and we have three daughters – Kiera (28) and Molly and Megan (25). We currently have a dog and 4 cats!
What I love most about LuHi: The atmosphere at LuHi is unlike any other school I’ve been in. There is a sense of community, a warmth, that makes it special.
Mrs. Kelly Walters
Mrs. Kelly Walters
LuHi Role: School Counselor (grades 6-9), joined the LuHi staff in 2007
Education: SUNY New Paltz (2004), B.A in Sociology; LIU Post, Masters in School Counseling
What I love about my role: My students…they inspire me everyday!!!
Hobbies: I love watching my kids play sports! When I am not on the baseball field, I enjoy reading and spending time with family and friends.
Family: I am married to Chris and have 3 very active boys; Liam (14), Logan (12), Landon (10).
Awards: Nassau Counselors’ Association – Exemplary Practice Award 2017, New York State School Counselor Association – Outstanding Practice, Program, or Project 2017, Lutheran Schools Association – Middle School Teacher of the Year – 2015
Why I love LuHi: LuHi is a very special place – we are a family! I love working in an environment that is compassionate and focuses on nurturing the whole child.
Mrs. Janet Mullen
Mrs. Janet Mullen
LuHi Role: School Counselor, joined the LuHi staff in 2014.
Education: Green Mountain College (2000), BA in Behavioral Science; LIU-Post (2011), Master of Science in School Counseling
Why I love my role: I love counseling students. The best part is watching them grow throughout their high school career. Every single student matures during this pivotal period in their lives. My goal is to help guide each student by supporting them through their struggles and lifting them up to help reach their goals.
Hobbies: Reading historical fiction novels and just literary fiction in general. I read constantly in the summer, usually reading at least one novel a week. Another hobby is gardening – I grow vegetables every summer. I live near the beach and go almost every day in summer. I also enjoy snowboarding, I spent my undergraduate years going to Killington several times a week. My kids were both put on skiis at the age of two or three.
Family: I have been married to my husband Will for twenty years. He is a Physician Assistant with a Master in Public Health. He now works in medical research, in the addiction treatment space. He travels all over the country working with government, hospitals and jail systems to create policy and improve treatment. I have two children, Matty and Olivia.We have a cat named Phoebe, who is beloved by all.
What I love about LuHi: LuHi is a special school, and with smaller case loads than average I can get to know each student individually. I also feel really lucky to work with a great little team in Guidance. We work really well together. We truly care about the students and each other.
Ms. Clare Xie
Ms. Clare Xie
LuHi Role: Middle School Foundations of English Teacher and International Students Advisor, joined the LuHi staff in 2016
Education: Hofstra University, Masters of Science in Education
What I love about my role: Supporting LuHi international students’ transitional experience has been one of the most beautiful highlights in my career. Being able to help and witness our international students grow, get involved in American and LuHi culture, and succeed in LuHi community has been the most rewarding accomplishment I’ve achieved in my position.
Hobbies: Painting, traveling and learning new cultures, writing
What I love about LuHi: Campus culture (family) and Christian love. I also love the diversity in student body at LuHi.
Mrs. Donna Orleman
Mrs. Donna Orleman
LuHi Role: Director of Human Resources; joined the LuHi staff in 2016
Education: WPI (1996), Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a Biomedical Concentration; NYIT (2015) Master of Science in School Counseling (Chi Sigma Iota)
Other professional experience: I worked in higher education for over 15 years at NYIT, MIT, University of San Francisco, Brandeis and WPI. I currently serve on the Board of Directors for the Lutheran Schools Association (LSA, Metropolitan-NY area)
Hobbies: Reading, taking bike rides with my family, and learning new things
Family: I love my family! My husband and I are both originally from NY, went to college in Massachusetts, met in Boston, travelled to CA together, moved back to MA where our 2 kids were born, and are now settled on Long Island where I grew up. We live around the corner from my dad, and have 2 cats, and a dog named Ringo. I am current LuHi parent!
What I love about LuHi: I love that LuHi readies its students for their next stage of life by helping them identify, embrace and enhance their God-given talents and abilities.
Mrs. Kimberly Kuck ’98
Mrs. Kimberly Kuck ’98
LuHi Role: Director of School Counseling, joined the LuHi staff in 2007
Education: SUNY New Paltz, BA in Psychology; Long Island University, MS in School Counseling
What I love about my role: I love being able to have the opportunity to develop a genuine relationship with my students. Having a smaller caseload than most public and private schools allows me to get know my students as more than just the grades they earn. Supporting students through the ups and downs of their high school years is important to me. Assisting the students (and their families) throughout the college process is something I wholeheartedly enjoy. As in life, there is bound to be some disappointment in the college process. My goal is to help students see the bigger picture beyond LuHi and even college.
Hobbies/Interests: Boating, puzzles (all kinds!) and fundraising for pediatric cancer research.
Family: My husband (who also works at LuHi!) and I have four children, one of which we lost to cancer at age 5.
What I love about LuHi: I love my students and my co-workers. They make coming to work each day enjoyable and exciting.