What time do you get here and when do you leave?

“It kind of depends on the time of the year, always around 7:45. Sometimes I’m able to leave by 4:00, sometimes, like this week, we didn’t leave until 7:00.”

What are you doing when you aren’t in the classroom?

“Probably running one of my children to a sporting event.”

Did you always know you wanted to do something like this?

“I always knew I wanted to teach, but I didn’t know I wanted to be a counselor. From kindergarten on, I wanted to be a teacher.”

How did you know you wanted to be a counselor from wanting to be a teacher?

“I was in the classroom for about twelve years, and I just felt like there was more I could be doing to help students, and so counseling seemed like a good option.”

Do you spend any time working from home and if so, what do you do?

“Yes. Not all the time.  I’m very lucky I don’t have to grade papers or anything like that, but when we’re looking at transcripts, usually after a semester has ended, so after Christmas or during summer, I will spend time going over transcripts and making sure students have the right amount of credits. I make sure their schedule gets built appropriately and then before registration for the new year, so that students are placed in the right courses.”

 What is a normal day for you?

“There’s no normal day. I usually start when I get here by trying to get paperwork tasks done. But I know once the students come, my day is usually filled with students coming in and out, asking questions that range from scholarships to graduation requirements to just needing somebody to talk to. 

What is your favorite part about your job?

“Working with the students, definitely. And getting to be a part of their lives.”

What is the hardest part of your job?

“Not being able to help every student. Because some students just don’t want to listen. They don’t agree, or they have their mind set on one path and that might not be the best path for them.”

How do you stay motivated during the week?

“Sometimes I don’t. I try to focus on the positives, trying to find those little moments when you did something really well for a student.”

Is there anything you want to add?

“I enjoy my job, and I think we have great kids here at FHS, so it helps. I like working with the kids and being a part of their life.”