School Counseling

Tracey Moore - A-D School Counselor

Book an appointment
Email

Tracey Moore has worked 25+ years as a high school counselor, and 17 of those years have been at Deering. Tracey genuinely loves the excitement of working with teenagers and their parents.  It is amazing to see the transformation a young person goes through from 9th-12th grade. Prior to being a high school counselor, Tracey worked at the college level both in public relations and undergraduate admissions. It is because of her work at the college level, that she particularly enjoys helping students with their post-Deering plans because when it’s done well, students not only end up going to wonderful places after graduating from Deering (whether that is going to college, getting a job, or serving in the military), but they get to know themselves in a deeper, meaningful way. Through personality profiles, career assessments;  as well as acting as a support through a typical teen's life, she feels her role as a school counselor is a fantastic, exciting, and fulfilling ride for her too! 

Asia Alexis - Director of Guidance and E-H School Counselor 

Book an appointment
Email

Asia Alexis has been working at Deering since 2018. She completed a Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Southern Maine and a Master of Education in Counseling Psychology at Boston University. Asia is currently certified as a school counselor in both Maine and Massachusetts. Asia grew up in central Maine and was called to Deering after doing her graduate internship here. She is passionate about helping students access an equitable public education and supporting students with their social emotional wellness and post-secondary journey. She enjoys her time outside of work hiking, gardening, raising her chickens, and most of all, traveling with her partner and two children.

Leah Dixon - I-N School Counselor

Book an appointment
Email

Leah Dixon joined Deering’s school counseling team in 2022, where she is excited to continue working with students. She has been coordinating the Make it Happen program at Deering since 2019 while pursuing an online Master of Science of Education in School Counseling degree, and is eager to transition to serving Deering students via the guidance office. Leah is passionate about supporting students with their academic and social-emotional needs, and is particularly experienced in helping students with postsecondary planning. She is thrilled to continue connecting with and supporting the Deering community as a school counselor!

aley watts - o-z School Counselor

Email

Aley Watts joined Deering in 2022-2023 but is not new to Portland Public Schools. In 2013-2014 she coordinated the Make It Happen Program for the Portland middle schools and also completed her counseling practicum and internship with PPS. She received a Masters of Science in Counselor Education from the University of Southern Maine in 2020 and is a certified school counselor. She has over a decade of experience working with youth and most recently worked as a school counselor for Lewiston Public Schools from 2020-2022. She is thrilled to be working in her home community again and is excited to build relationships with students and support their academic, social, and emotional needs. Aley loves spending time outside with her family. Hiking, surfing and backcountry snowboarding are some of her favorite activities. 

Book an appointment with Ms. Watts

Asia Alexis - Guidance Director & E-H School Counselor

Email

Asia Alexis has been working at Deering since 2018. She completed a Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Southern Maine and a Master of Education in Counseling Psychology at Boston University. Asia is currently certified as a school counselor in both Maine and Massachusetts. Asia grew up in central Maine and was called to Deering after doing her graduate internship here. She is passionate about helping students access an equitable public education and supporting students with their social emotional wellness and post-secondary journey. She enjoys her time outside of work hiking, gardening, raising her chickens, and most of all, traveling with her partner and two children.

LiZ DAVENPORT - Guidance Secretary

Email

Liz Davenport is a support to the guidance office and Deering at large. He background is in photography, marketing, and overall support for local business. She has traveled throughout the world as a documentary photographer. In her career she has managed a successful business, supported educational programs, and has a great admiration for the DHS community. She can be reached vial email or stop be her desk (M, W, Th from 7:30am to 3:30pm). 

Nancy Smith - Guidance Secretary & ACTIVITIES ACCOUNT MANAGER

Email

Nancy has been with Deering since 2018 and is proud to continue serving the community as a guidance secretary and activities accounts manager. She has held many different positions in her past, including working at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. after graduating from AMDA and earning her BFA from New York University Tisch School of the Arts. She's a native of Tennessee and Virginia and has been loving living in Maine since 1998, where she has raised two fantastic kids.