What inspired you to become a counselor?

When I was a kid in school, the counselors were always very helpful to me. I sought them out when I struggled socially or emotionally, and I always looked forward to the times when "regular academic" class material focused on feelings, mental health, and social issues. In high school, I first thought about a potential career focused on children's mental and emotional health. Since I knew what helped me in school, I could share my knowledge and strategies with other kids who might benefit from learning them.

What do you find most rewarding about teaching and working with students?

When I see a student discover a new way of looking at things, or practice new ways to respond to things, it results in strong feelings of gratitude. My work with students focuses on personal and emotionally salient material (e.g., how to manage big feelings, how to switch up negative thoughts, how to get along better with peers). When a student begins to demonstrate new strategies in these arenas, I get those coveted "this is why I do this work" feelings!

What do you hope students will take away from your classes or your mentorship?

I aim to help plant the seeds of strong mental health, confidence, perseverance, and knowledge of self-care in kids that will hopefully grow with them throughout their lives. Having been at McDonogh for 12 years, I am now seeing some of my former Lower School students succeed and flourish in Upper School. I get so much joy in knowing that they are on their way to even bigger and better things!

Are there any memorable or impactful moments in your teaching career that stand out to you?

I think that our School's response to and management of the COVID-19 pandemic was exemplary, and this includes our focus on supporting the mental health and wellness of the children and families in our community. We "pivoted" quite effectively toward finding new and safe ways to deliver support services in this extremely challenging time. I learned much and grew tremendously—both professionally and personally—during that difficult time.