By Thomas Ricardi
Q: How long have you been a Guidance Counselor for? Do you remember your first day as a Guidance Counselor?
A: I have been a Guidance Counselor for 25 years, now. My first day was at the former Chicopee High School, now known as Dupont Middle School. I was just full of excitement to be there with such a deep purpose, and it’s hard to find school counseling positions. When you’re offered one, you’re very appreciative."
Q: What made you choose Chicopee High School?
A: "Chicopee High School actually chose me, and I mean that wholeheartedly. An opportunity came about here, as someone had retired unexpectedly in the summer of the 1997-1998 school year. I was hired as a substitute for a few weeks to see if this would be a good fit for me, for them, and everyone in between. I guess it was a great fit, because I'm still here!"
Q: Did anyone inspire you to take on the role of Guidance Counselor? Who was it and how did they do it?
A: Yes, Carol Hoffman, my senior Psychology teacher inspired me to do so. She was an amazing person! She had been through so much with her husband’s unexpected death as a young mother. She had really influenced me with her resiliency and her caring attitude toward people. I definitely was the one that everyone came to talk about for concerns and issues, so I felt a connection to her, because she was that person for many people, too."
Q: Can I have a quick rundown of a day in the life of a Guidance Counselor?
A: "So there is no typical 'day in the life.' Every day is different. It could be a student who greets me at the door with a problem from the night before, focusing on specific issues, college and career planning, parental feedback, it could be attendance, just to name a few. There's always something going on and it's rarely ever the same thing."
Q: What has been your most frustrating day this school year, so far? Why was it so?
A: "It was on March 29th of this year actually, just a few days ago. A small percentage of it was about the cell phones and students refusing to be held accountable for the problems they’ve created for themselves."
Q: While we’re on this subject, do you have any worries about the new YONDR pouches?
A: "Some students have expressed that they’re more relaxed without their phones, the conversations are more engaging as well. No negatives as of now about them."
Q: Have you ever had a student you just couldn’t help?
A: "Sure, you try to find common ground with all students, but unfortunately either my inability to communicate or their ability to receive communication could hinder that. I am not ego-driven, so if students feel connected to another counselor, I have no problems with that, as long as they’re being taken care of. We’ve had a few students coming in their freshman year with all these demands that are basically an "F you" to everyone, ignoring any teachers who tell them what to and not to do, though it’s very rare."
Q: What kind of work do you have to do outside of school for this job?
A: Sure, I do letters of recommendation at home, responding to emails in the evening, and taking professional development classes online. I truly feel my role is ever evolving.
Q: Was there a time that someone really made your day? Do you remember it vividly?
A: "Yes, there’s a senior this year who had struggled tremendously during his sophomore and junior years as an underclassman, and is excelling this year. That's always amazing to see."
Q: If you had to describe this job to a new counselor, how would you describe it?
A: "Easy. Forget what you learned in your college textbook, and go with your gut."
Q: How often do you alter student’s schedules? Are you annoyed by it or proud to do it?
A: "It really depends on the situation, but it’s very infrequent. I also have to give credit to the teachers who make recommendations for their students for the following year, which leads to fewer schedule changes."
Q: Tell me about one or two negative confrontations with students that got out of hand. What did he/she do and how did it go?
A: I do remember, once, a student got into a really big heated fight. I definitely learned to allow them to sit and let them process before I reacted and said, 'what were you thinking?' Emotions can be powerful driving forces."
Q: Tell me about one or two students you were so proud of that you had them come down to be congratulated. What made you so proud of them?
A: "I’ve had some students that have had some outside factors that they didn’t let affect their academics. Especially the ones who lack a parental figure, such as the students in DCF or the ones who live with their grandparents, I really give praise to those students for their resiliency and being able to be accountable for themselves by rising to the occasion."
Q: If you could have any other job in the world, what would it be and why?
A: "It would be the CEO of a makeup company. I personally love makeup. Our face is the first thing represented to the world, and I embrace people’s individuality, especially as a woman over 50, I embrace the aging process, as an individual's inward beauty can resonate with the outside world. Makeup can make you feel better by enhancing that outer 'glow.'"
Q: If you could fix all the little kinks in this job, what would you fix and why?
A: "I think that people could really embrace coping skills. Not everything is an easy fix, you have to look at yourself internally and see how you are handling a situation and how it could be better delivered."
Q: Is there anything you’d like to add?
A: "I am very honored to be part of this project. I feel that as educators we play a vital role in student learning, and it’s nice to feel appreciated!"
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