How long have you been with SHS?
I started working at Stroudsburg during the 2008-2009 school year, so this is my 17th year here.
What is your favorite part about being a school counselor?
My favorite part of being a school counselor is that no two days are ever the same. While I follow a general routine, the unique situations that come up each day keep things fresh and interesting.
What made you want to become a school counselor?
After high school, I struggled to find my career path. I knew I wanted to work with people, which led me to major in psychology, but it still took me two years after college to realize that school counseling was the perfect fit. When I realized that I enjoyed helping teenagers figure out their career paths, I knew that I wanted to become a school counselor.
If you could teach any subject, what would it be and why?
I would love to teach art—though music would be a close second. In high school, I took many art classes and even minored in art in college. I had accumulated so many credits that, if I had stayed an extra year, I could have double-majored in art and psychology.
What is one thing you’ve learned from your students?
I’ve learned so much from my students over the years, but the biggest thing I’ve learned is how unique each student is. I love seeing my students’ personalities grow and evolve during the three years they spend at the high school.
Who do you look up to?
I’ve always looked up to my parents. They faced many challenges—both individually and together—but they persevered and always tried to make the best of every situation. This year, they’re celebrating their 55th wedding anniversary!
What makes you smile?
Hearing any kind of good news and finding out where my seniors are headed after graduation always makes me smile. Really corny dad jokes also make me smile too!
What is something most people might not know about you?
Some of my students know this, but I lived in Rome for a semester studying art history. My college had a study abroad program, and it was an amazing experience. During spring break that year, I also got to visit Ireland and England.
If you had one piece of advice to give to your students, what would it be?
One of my favorite quotes comes from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” So my advice to students would be that even on the busiest days, make sure to pause, take in your surroundings, and appreciate the moment. There’s so much beauty in the world that we can miss if we’re not paying attention.