National School Counselor Week 2023
Katelin Schillaci
Mayfair School
My School Counselor Helps Me Dream Big by…….
My School Counselor Helps Me Dream Big by showing me to always be positive. Staying positive can help with a lot of things, and I mean it. It can help you a lot because when you’re not positive things can take a turn. It makes you think negative stuff and you can’t focus. Being positive helps you focus more when you are not thinking negative stuff.
I Help My Students Dream Big by……..
I help my students DREAM BIG by always supporting them. I make sure students know I care about them every day, even on days when they don’t feel their best. I help my students create goals for success and remind them that although some goals may take longer to reach, we should never give up hope.
Dr. Paul Linder
Samuel Fels High School
My School Counselor Helps Me Dream Big by…….
Helping me make good choices and also by giving me good advice. Also pushes me to give the best of me and he sees the best in me.
I Help My Students Dream Big by……..
I make myself available to my students by visiting their classrooms and reminding them that I want, and will always find time, to help them. I try my best to get my students to see the value of education and recognize their potential in life. I also try my best to support and encourage my students to dream big and set goals that provide the directions needed to achieve them….. because “dreams without goals are just dreams ” – Denzel Washington.
Caitlin Parenti
Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush High School
My School Counselor Helps Me Dream Big by…….
Ms. Parenti is new this year. Please keep this in mind while reading- because it shows what an incredible woman she is. My mom has cancer, so she had to stop working. Ms. Parenti was one of the first people to pull me aside and ask how my mom (and I) were feeling- and if I ever needed to come to her office; I could. When you have a loss in the family, or grieving in any way, you can tell the difference between artifice, congeniality, honesty, and genuine caring. She is genuinely one of the most caring people I have ever met. Her office is a sanctuary for many students, not just myself. Every morning, she greets us with a smile and motivational words to get through our day. “We can do this!” She is extremely supportive of every student, and advocates for us. I really want to put emphasis on the supportive part. She is incredible at her job and doesn’t shame us for being “ourselves.” Every single one of our academic goals, whether it’s a “D,” or an “A,” is a genuine accomplishment not just for the student, but for Ms. Parenti as well. One day, I was extremely stressed about grades. The first person I asked to talk to was Ms. Parenti. I was petrified that I was going to get a C on a test. Her response? “C’s are okay. C’s are wonderful. You aren’t expected to perform at your absolute best 100% of the time – if you need me, I am still here and available.” She works so incredibly hard, to get everyone where they need to be. We need more counselors like Ms. Parenti. She is caring, kind, motivated, genuine, honest- and most importantly – she is the gift our school needs.
I Help My Students Dream Big by……..
I think I help students dream big by first helping students believe in themselves. Students need to be seen, heard, nurtured, and valued in order to survive and thrive in our society (everyone does really!). And I believe providing support to help students build their self-worth foundation, like planting a seed, allows them to dream big and ultimately pursue their dreams! I also help students develop practical and realistic ways to approach their dreams. With specific strategies and resources in their toolbox, students can feel capable and prepared to achieve their BIG dreams!
Lisa Bronca
Bregy Elementary School
My School Counselor Helps Me Dream Big by…….
I’m in 8th grade and my counselor Ms. Bronca always encourages me to dream big. With 8th grade comes the high school selection. Even though my test scores aren’t perfect, she still motivates me to shoot for the stars and still apply for schools. (I’m probably not going to get into those types of schools but she still gives me confidence.) Ms. Bronca always encourages me to dream big and now I am. I used to always have low expectations for my life but now with her words of wisdom, I can be whatever I want to be. She helps me dream big.
I Help My Students Dream Big by……..
I help my students DREAM BIG by being a positive role model. Kids learn from watching us. Every morning my students say the Bregy Pledge: I am respectful. I am responsible. I am peaceful. I am a problem solver. We are the Bregy family. I strive to model these attributes throughout my day through my words and my actions. Whatever problem they face, I teach them there is always a peaceful solution. I live by the “Golden Rule” and teach my students to do the same. My students know that I am always here for them no matter what. My students know I love and respect them because I tell them and I show them on a daily basis. I am honored to be recognized for serving my purpose in life, to teach and help others.
To my Bregy family: Keep DREAMING BIG and never give up! “Life is good!”
Erica Miller
Frankford High School
My School Counselor Helps Me Dream Big by…….
By being a superhero. What I mean by that is my counselor goes above and beyond for every student she meets. At Frankford high school our counselors are arranged by the first letter of our last name. I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt that Ms. Miller helps any student that asks for it regardless if they are assigned to her or not. You can tell that she loves what she does just by how she acts. She treats students fairly and holds us accountable for our actions. Honestly, I think we need more counselors like her.
I Help My Students Dream Big by……..
The key to helping my students dream big is applied through various avenues of everyday interactions with them as their counselor. These everyday interactions include being present, active listening, empathetic, and providing positive/constructive feedback. Building a trusting and meaningful relationship with them is the key factor. I treat my students how I want to be treated (GOLDEN RULE). Once rapport is established and trust is gained with a student, the door is wide open to help them explore their interests and passions for their future. Encourage students to be open-minded, strive to be their best selves, be present, be kind, accept change, ask questions, and embrace that knowledge is growth.
Be consistent in helping them visualize their dreams and introduce life experiences to help them understand all possible opportunities life has to offer. Take pride in being their constant daily reminder that they can do anything they set their mind to through commitment and perseverance.
Maja Mapp-Luke
Fitler Academics Plus
My School Counselor Helps Me Dream Big by…….
My school counselor helps me dream big by helping me figure out my problems and encouraging me to do what needs to be done. Another thing that my school counselor helps me dream big is by sharing positive messages throughout the school that also helps not just me but other kids with reaching and achieving their goals and dreams.
I Help My Students Dream Big by……..
I help my students dream big by teaching them how to recognize their own “superpower”. I remind them that they possess something special that now exists in our world because they were born.
Richard Speer
John Bartram High School
My School Counselor Helps Me Dream Big by…….
My school counselor helps me with a lot of my projects. He also helps with my college stuff like filling out my forms. He is always there for me any time I need help. He also encourages me about my dream job.
I Help My Students Dream Big by……..
Our students are already dreaming big. I am honored that I get to be a part of their journey every day.
Fatimah Mitchell
Murrell Dobbins CTE High School
My School Counselor Helps Me Dream Big by…….
Ms.Mitchell is one of the best staff that Dobbins has. She listens to us. She helps us in every way she can. Every time I have a problem and feel like I can’t talk to anybody I know I can talk to her. She’s the best! We need more like her. Without Ms.Mitchell Dobbins would fall apart. Just like any other teacher or staff who really cares she strives to keep us on task. Ms. Mitchell is the bomb. I’ll always remember her. Even after high school.
I Help My Students Dream Big by……..
I help my students DREAM BIG by supporting their endeavors, encouraging them through their challenges, and allowing them a space to be transparent & genuine as they navigate through life as young adults. As many of our students face adversity in our communities, many of our students are also thriving & succeeding. I am so excited to be a cheerleader on their sideline!
Gloria Enyondo
Anna B. Day School
My School Counselor Helps Me Dream Big by…….
Ms. Enyondo helps me dream big by telling me and other students positive comments, telling me I can do it if I put my mind to it, helping me with my emotions, and helping me forget about the bad things that happen around me.
I Help My Students Dream Big by……..
I use my experiences and that of others to help inspire my students to know that their present circumstances are only for the moment. Through perseverance and perspective, they can and will achieve greatness in life if they are willing to learn and overcome.
Jenna Brower
Girard Academic Music Program
My School Counselor Helps Me Dream Big by…….
Ms. Brower is always there for me if I’m having a hard time at school or out of it. Even though I hate feeling down and depressed, coming to her office for support is always a source of comfort for me. She makes me feel like I’m not alone and that I have someone who believes in me.
I Help My Students Dream Big by……..
I help my students dream big by encouraging them to pursue the thing that excites them most, realize their potential, and empower them beyond their obstacles. When a student is able to build self-confidence, incredible accomplishments will follow!