This week – February 1-5 – we will honor our talented school counselors. We hope you will enjoy reading these profiles as much as we enjoyed creating them. Remember, there are hundreds of other counselors who weren’t highlighted here, so make sure to celebrate the counselors that you know on social media using #SDPThankACounselor!
School: Overbrook High School
Counselor For: 11 Years
Why did you decide to become a School Counselor?
The decision to pursue the profession as a school counselor began in high school. I realized that one of my gifts is to help individuals eradicate emotional, social and educational barriers. Once the seed was planted, I began to pursue formal education to become a school counselor, after working for twelve years as a Site Administrator for the ELECT program.
What is the best part about being a School Counselor?
School Counseling has a multitude of benefits, but my favorite aspect of the job is participating in graduation. Graduation is a time of reflection — being the senior school counselor affords one opportunities to launch students into society. The culminating event of graduation lets me reflect on students past, present and future.
What is one of the challenges you faced this year during the Covid pandemic working as a School Counselor? How did you overcome that challenge?
Covid 2020 presented a plethora of challenges which impacted me personally. The greatest challenge was the loss of a beloved student to gun violence. To help overcome the challenge, I participated in a grief trauma group to process the loss , the impact of Covid and deal with compounded grief.
What is something you think everyone should know about School Counselors?
School counselors are compassionate individuals who work beyond the scope of an average school day, regardless of monetary compensation, to ensure that our students thrive educationally, socially and emotionally.
School: Louis H. Farrell Elementary School
Counselor For: 12 Years
Why did you decide to become a School Counselor?
I started my career in education as an English teacher. What I enjoyed best about teaching was the one-on-one time that I had with students just talking about their day to day struggles, joys and accomplishments. I decided that I wanted to do more of that and for that to be the main focus of my interactions with students. I realized that a school counselor does just that and much more.
What is the best part about being a School Counselor?
The best part is providing individual and group counseling.
What is one of the challenges you faced this year during the Covid pandemic working as a School Counselor? How did you overcome that challenge?
One of the challenges has been trying to connect with students. To overcome this challenge, I call or text students and/or their parents to check in about attendance, academics and mental health.
What is something you think everyone should know about School Counselors?
I wish that everyone knew that school counselors are a great resource for parents and various school staff. We can help school communities find ways to meet students’ developmental and mental health needs in schools.
School: McCall Elementary School
Counselor For: 14 Years
Why did you decide to become a School Counselor?
My background as an art therapist lead me to the realm of behavioral health, and ultimately, school counseling. My desire to help others, coupled with a love for children and education made becoming a school counselor a natural fit. Growing up, school was tough for me on all levels, so being able to offer a space to go where students are valued as individuals over feeling judged, rated, and graded is a true pleasure!
What is the best part about being a School Counselor?
Working directly with the children on personal goals and seeing progress is super rewarding. But the best part is knowing that I can provide a safe space for kids to be themselves . I have an open door policy and welcome anyone at anytime for anything!
What is one of the challenges you faced this year during the Covid pandemic working as a School Counselor? How did you overcome that challenge?
The pandemic brought many personal and professional challenges to everyone, but the one that stands out for me is the lack of boundaries around the work day. Sometimes it feels really good being available at all times. It allows me to accommodate my families better, but in the end my own brain health can become overloaded with stress. I’m still learning how to take time to shut down and turn off. I use yoga, meditation and reiki to turn off and tune in. It does wonders for my stress.
What is something you think everyone should know about School Counselors?
I don’t feel comfortable speaking on behalf of all counselors, but for me, I see my role as being a supporter and advocate for students, families and staff. It’s important for others to know that school counselors hear very personal stories allowing them to work with students and families in a different light. Because much of our daily work is behind the scenes, our roles are often misunderstood and undervalued. As a counselor I can’t promise to fix all problems but I can promise you won’t have to face them alone!
School: Kensington Health Sciences Academy
Counselor For: 12 Years
Why did you decide to become a School Counselor?
By the time I graduated from high school, based on a variety of life experiences, I knew I wanted to follow a professional path of service. I wanted to make a positive difference. My vague aspiration over a five year period finally merged with my interest in coaching youth sports. I have been very fortunate in being able to do both during my life and career.
What is the best part about being a School Counselor?
The best part for me is seeing personal growth in students, from the small steps to the big ones, and seeing the joy of student’s success. It is privilege that I take quite seriously.
What is one of the challenges you faced this year during the Covid pandemic working as a School Counselor? How did you overcome that challenge?
The biggest challenge for me during the pandemic has been communicating with students in crisis, within the limited space of a virtual meeting room. Communication can be a struggle in this virtual platform. The feeling of not being as effective as you need to be, from any perspective (student, family, or counselor), is difficult. I overcome that challenge by doing what all counselors do…you take your time to listen, insure you learn from the student what the issues are, what is causing the pain, and work with them to develop and implement a plan that addresses the concerns. It takes more time. It is more difficult.
What is something you think everyone should know about School Counselors?
For many students who face a myriad of academic, behavioral, or social challenges, School Counselors can help to provide stability, an anchor of sorts. All students need to know that they matter, that their presence in the school community is important and essential. School Counselors have the unique opportunity to communicate this and to develop relationships that allow students to see this about themselves. They can help students learn how to make who they are work well for them as they move forward toward successful and fulfilling adult lives in the community.
School: Constitution High School
Counselor For: 25 Years
Why did you decide to become a School Counselor?
When I graduated from West Chester University with a BSED Elementary Education, I realized that I wanted to make a difference in the lives of children on a more individual basis. My mother was a teacher in Philadelphia and she would come home crying almost everyday wanting to help her students beyond the classroom. At that moment, I knew my calling was to be a school counselor in Philly. I became a teacher and taught 6th grade at Turner Middle School. After 2 wonderful years as a teacher, I was called to choose my school location to be a High School Counselor. I chose Overbrook High School and that is where my path began. I have loved every minute of being a counselor!
What is the best part about being a School Counselor?
Of course working with the students. I have had the joy of working for administrators who believe that a school counselor’s responsibility is to work directly with and for the students. The best part of being a school counselor is knowing you have made a difference in a student’s life.
What is one of the challenges you faced this year during the Covid pandemic working as a School Counselor? How did you overcome that challenge?
It has been very difficult to reach my students on a daily basis. I usually have an open door policy and being virtual, it has been difficult. I have tried to get as creative as I can to help my students even if I can’t be with them in person. I have a Google Office that is open all day for students to pop in. I have tried to master all the social media platforms. Most recently, I have a Tiktok (@phillycounselor) account giving information on scholarships, summer programs, college and career planning. It’s lots of fun and knowing that it is helping students, it makes it all worthwhile!
What is something you think everyone should know about School Counselors?
School counselors are the heart and soul of any school!
School: C.W. Henry Elementary School
Counselor For: 15 Years
Why did you decide to become a School Counselor?
I became a school counselor to help students in urban districts overcome barriers that may prevent them from becoming their healthiest, happiest selves.
What is the best part about being a School Counselor?
The best part about being a school counselor is having the opportunity to interact with and support ALL members of my school’s student population.
What is one of the challenges you faced this year during the Covid pandemic working as a School Counselor? How did you overcome that challenge?
A challenge I have faced as a school counselor during the pandemic is supporting my students while being respectful of both their synchronous learning time and amount of screen time in general. To address this issue I began “assigning” a series of (age varied) check-in surveys (4-10 brief questions) through individual Google Classrooms every 6-8 weeks. I then follow up with students individually when their responses warrant it (which teachers and families are even more open to because I am “following up” on a student response).
What is something you think everyone should know about School Counselors?
School counselors bring unique and invaluable perspectives and skillsets to their school communities. They should be seen as leaders, collaborators, advocates and agents of change that promote equity and access for all students while working to improve student outcomes across social/emotional, academic and career readiness domains.
School: Julia Masterman High School
Counselor For: 20 Years
Why did you decide to become a School Counselor?
I want to help students overcome obstacles so they can experience success and reach their goals. I strive to make students and families to feel heard, supported, and valued. When students need help I try to put myself in their shoes, and offer the support I would want someone to give me if I needed help.
What is the best part about being a School Counselor?
I get to work with so many wonderful students and families! It’s rewarding when you work with a student and family and you know you’ve helped to make a difference for them. It’s something that can’t be quantified, yet it’s very powerful and important.
What is one of the challenges you faced this year during the Covid pandemic working as a School Counselor? How did you overcome that challenge?
It’s very hard to schedule virtual appointments with students I haven’t met yet. If we were in school I would just go to the classroom, get the student, and we’d go to my office. Now it requires phone calls, emails, and sometimes more emails! I make sure to send friendly emails and try to connect with students so they’ll feel a little more comfortable meeting virtually with me for the first time.
What is something you think everyone should know about School Counselors?
I wish everyone knew that school counselors are juggling a variety of responsibilities and we’re trying to get to emails, phone calls, and meetings as fast as we can. Counselors have tremendously large caseloads in Philadelphia, which makes this even harder. If it takes a counselor longer to get back to someone, we want them to know that it’s not because we don’t care or that we don’t think their issue is important, we’re just swamped with work and doing our best. It takes time to properly build relationships and problem solve with students and families. We’re here to help!
School: Southwark Elementary School
Counselor For: 15 Years
Why did you decide to become a School Counselor?
I was working as a set stylist and wanted to do something that could help others and give me more purpose.
What is the best part about being a School Counselor?
The kids.
What is one of the challenges you faced this year during the Covid pandemic working as a School Counselor? How did you overcome that challenge?
Kids with their screens off and not really being present. I’m not sure I have overcome that challenge!
What is something you think everyone should know about School Counselors?
The work is very stressful but worth it!
School: Parkway West High School/Middle Years Alternative Middle School
Counselor For: 12 Years
Why did you decide to become a School Counselor?
School counseling allows you the opportunity to help young people with the up’s and down’s of life and assist with future dreams.
What is the best part about being a School Counselor?
The best part of being a school counselor is watching doubt, hesitation, and fear turn into effort, hard work and success.
What is one of the challenges you faced this year during the Covid pandemic working as a School Counselor? How did you overcome that challenge?
The COVID pandemic has limited the way we identify student issues. Data analysis has become the primary way we seek and receive referrals. In person counseling allowed us to visibly see student concerns or moods. This is not easily discernible on a computer screen. However, by integrating counseling supports into morning meetings and extracurricular classes we allowed students more access to services. Additionally, being flexible and meeting students and caregivers outside of school hours allowed more students to self identify. Providing caregivers and students with multiple pathways to express concerns or needs allowed our counseling staff to receive outside of data referrals.
What is something you think everyone should know about School Counselors?
School counselors listen to dreams, search for opportunities for you to explore dreams, and helps you find the education to live your dreams.