During National School Counseling Week 2021 last week, counselors at Jackson Academy could be found across campus doing what they usually do—supporting students. Kathy Sheffield was teaching K4 students about emotions. Erin Neely was checking in with Middle School students throughout the day. Paula Pratt was conducting a mock interview with a senior who was getting ready for a college scholarship interview. Amy Bush was preparing to host visiting colleges. Danny Robertson was meeting with a student, offering a listening ear and his gift of insight. Mandy Robertson was fielding and answering questions.
While counselors were busy at work, behind the scenes, the volleyball team and its coaches considered all that counselors do to support the student body. The team delivered a large gift basket of snacks and a Keurig coffee machine, plus individual gift baskets, to the counseling office. The counselors loved the surprise—and the sentiment—because typically, they are lavishing attention on others.
“National School Counseling Week focuses public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems,” according to The American School Counseling Association. The week highlights the “tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.”
The group’s theme this year is “All In For All Students.” Kathy Sheffield says this theme is an excellent goal for her role as Preschool/Lower School counselor. “I work with faculty and students to help them be the best that they can be – to encourage them, to support them, and to prepare them for life after JA.” Sheffield has attended the American School Counselor Association convention several times and has found the networking helpful in preparing lesson plans. She is also part of the Mississippi Counseling Association.
JA’s counselors were asked to reflect on their roles as counselors. Here are a few of their answers:
Paula Pratt, B.S., M.S., NCC
Director of Counseling, Upper School Counselor
What is your favorite thing about being a counselor?
I love working daily with the students and watching them grow into young adults.
In what part of counseling do you specialize?
I specialize in teenagers, college prep, and mental health.
What is the one thing you would like students to know or remember?
Theodore Roosevelt said it best: “Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Amy Bush, B.S., B.A.
College Admissions Counselor
What is your favorite thing about being a counselor?
“College counseling is so rewarding! I’m not only able to get to know the students and their families but also guide them through the two-phase process of research and application. I help guide, organize, brainstorm, review essays, and prepare for interviews.”
What is the one thing you would like students to know or remember?
“Our door is always open, and we want the students to feel like they can come to us anytime for help and encouragement.”
Erin Neely, B.S., M.S.W.
Middle School Counselor
What is your favorite thing about being a counselor?
My favorite thing about being a counselor is the relationships we get to build with our students, their families, and our staff here. We work at a pretty wonderful place with some incredible people.
In what part of counseling do you specialize?
I specialize in clinical family therapy and am a licensed school social worker.
Danny Robertson, B.S., M.A.
Upper School Counselor
What is your favorite thing about being a counselor?
Students have so many emotions, challenges, positive attributes, and goals that each day is never the same.
What part of counseling do you specialize in?
I have my master’s in secondary school counseling.
Mandy Robertson, B.A.
Student Services Support
What is your favorite thing about working in the counseling office?
“While I’m not a counselor, my favorite part of being in the counseling office is all the different interactions with the students. I get to share in their joy when they get accepted to a college or achieve a great ACT score while also getting to comfort them when they receive news that makes them sad. Our office is a welcoming and warm place for the students, and they love to come visit!”
What is the one thing you would like students to know or remember?
“The main thing I try to impart to students is to work hard and do their best. Many times when a student comes in upset that he or she has done poorly on a test, I try to get them to see what they could have done differently so they can apply that next time. I tell them that lots of things are hard, and they shouldn’t be afraid to tackle them!”
Kathy Sheffield, B.S.N., M.A.
Preschool / Lower School Counselor
What is your favorite thing about being a counselor?
“My favorite thing about being a counselor is helping our younger students learn ways to work through their problems. We have been working on techniques to handle anger, anxiety, etc. I love seeing the Middle School and Upper School students I worked with in Lower School being so successful! I’m hoping that my work with students will help equip them for the future.
What is the one thing you would like students to know or remember?
I guess what I would want all my students to remember is that they are loved for who they are. We are individuals and have different gifts and talents. God has BIG plans for all of us.
