...a School Counselor Greg Casel

Jn the 12 years that I have worked as a school counselor, I have learned to come into school each day expecting the unexpected. Many times there are joyful surprises. Just a few days ago a senior girl came to the office in tears. Had she been kicked out of her home? Become pregnant? Thankfully no, for through her wet eyes she shared that she had just been accepted to Duke University."The best thing that could ever happen!" she announced.

However, just as common are those students whose tears are from sadness.the death of a close family member or friend.another poor score on the ACT.the boyfriend who has become emotionally abusive.

These are common examples of experiences shared by the 1,700 middle to upper-middle class students at Liberty Senior High School in suburban Kansas City, Missouri. As a school counselor, I am there to listen, advocate for, and partner with these young adults as they experience the joys and frustrations of their academic and social development.

I typically arrive at work between 6 - 7 AM to organize my day and priorities before confronting the constant stream of students, teachers, phone calls, and emails. "Multi-tasking" is a buzzword that is lived out by all educators, including the four other counselors and three support staff members in our guidance office. We balance two primary objectives: serving the specific individual needs of students and administering special projects such as standardized testing and scholarship programs.

Today, I expect to individually meet with about 14 seniors to discuss graduation progress and help guide them in their college and/or career searches. We will discuss ACT scores, test preparation opportunities, and career goals. Focusing on the college search will find us partnering to narrow choices, plan campus visits, and discuss scholarship opportunities.

This is also a time where the diversity of student performance can be seen. I switch gears from assisting the students who are focused on highly competitive colleges, to the ones who will struggle just to graduate on time. Each young person needs the same basic skills from their counselor that my mentor teacher from Iowa City West High, Gordon Mixdorf (PhD '75), modeled to his many student teachers. These skills consisted of "unconditional positive regard," patience, and at all times, a problem-solving mindset.

First today is the task of enrolling a transfer student. We have about 150 students transfer into our school over the course of a year, so this is a common morning activity. Making the student and parent(s) feel welcome, answering questions, and creating an appropriate academic schedule consumes the first hour after school begins.

During the day there will be students needing assistance for personal issues, forcing another shift in process and approach. One of the most powerful things someone can be given is the gift of being listened to. Allowing students to transfer some of their burdens onto the shoulders of caring adults is a wonderful therapeutic endeavor. A counselor's goal should always be to make school a good place for students-especially for those whose lives outside of school lack the love and stability that all adolescents need to be successful.

In between the academic and personal counseling, I address different administrative projects. These include writing junior and senior newsletters, setting up College Planning Nights, promoting ACT prep courses, selecting students for local scholarships, and bringing in speakers on various adolescent socio-emotional issues.

At different points today I will also be forced to make some "triage" decisions. An extremely upset student will come into the office and will need to be seen right away. At that point, I will have to decide whether I can end or delay the individual meeting that I am in, or ask another counselor to assist by attending to my student. I often feel pulled trying to be responsive to everyone's needs in a timely manner, especially when those needs are urgent. Being a student advocate means "being there" when needed, and not a day goes by where I don't feel that I should have tried to find a way to spend more time with a particular student.

Since I also serve as director of the high school guidance office and the overall school district guidance program, other counselors or faculty often seek me out for information or clarification on a range of issues. It is crucial to be available to your colleagues to make sure that everyone is being consistent with their procedures and information. It is also important to offer personal and professional support for all colleagues, however difficult it may be in the midst of a busy school day.

My day moves by rapidly, and I find myself once again prioritizing what needs to be done before I leave for the evening. As I drive home, my mind shifts from the challenges, both good and bad that occurred during the day, and my focus slowly shifts to the unexpected that awaits tomorrow.

Before Greg Casel (BA '90 - Secondary Education Certification) became a counselor he taught seventh grade social studies and English at Liberty Middle School and coached boys basketball. He continues to coach on various athletic teams.