Weston Awards: Meet High School Counselor Chanda D. Fields

This is the latest in our series spotlighting the winners of the 2025 Judy Weston Awards for Inspired Teaching. Follow along each week to learn more about the impact these educators are making in the Montclair Public Schools.

+++

Montclair High School counselor Chanda D. Fields believes in her students. 

She believes in their ability to persevere. 

She believes in their potential to succeed. 

And, most importantly, she never gives up on them, even in the face of incredibly challenging circumstances. 

Those who nominated Ms. Fields for the inaugural Weston Award for Inspired Counseling described her as “collaborative and professional,” and also “quiet, dignified and tireless.” They noted how she routinely goes above and beyond to assist students and families – working after hours, researching support programs and resources, and organizing trips for students to visit colleges. 

Ms. Fields provides a confidential, welcoming space where students can express their feelings and concerns. “This emotional safety helps students feel heard and validated in their experiences,” one nomination letter said.

One nominator shared a particularly poignant anecdote about Ms. Fields helping a couple of students struggling with academics and truancy. The nominator said: “Many people had trouble not giving up on these two young men. Ms. Fields never did.”  She worked hard to give encouragement, hope, inspiration, and a path for them to finish high school.    

A colleague noted that Ms. Fields challenges herself to keep growing, stretching, and learning through professional development and continuing education opportunities, as well. 

Ms. Fields, nominators said, has a way of identifying skills or interests that students may overlook or undervalue in themselves. For helping them see their own potential, empowering them to pursue paths they may have otherwise not considered, and for keeping students’ interests at heart, the Montclair community is proud to call you an inspired counselor. Congratulations.