Advocating for Students During the Pandemic: One School Counselor’s Story

 

As National Counselors week draws to a close, it is important to remember the wonderful work of our exceptional school counselors in New Hanover County Schools. Heather Appleton is the school counselor for Southeast Area Technical High School, a Career and Technical Education magnet school in Southeast North Carolina. Though the school has one of the smallest student populations of district high schools Mrs. Appleton’s responsibilities are anything but. She is a dedicated and hard-working school counselor providing a positive role model to her students and peers. 

 

Mrs. Appleton is in year 15 as a school counselor. However, she has not always been a school counselor. At the start of her career in education, she served as a Special Education teacher. While teaching she realized, though, she had a passion for education she preferred one on one interactions with students more. This inspired her to pursue a master’s degree in school counseling so that she could dedicate herself to helping students in a different capacity.

 

Being a school counselor in 2021 has brought many challenges, challenges like many educators, Mrs. Appleton did not anticipate having to navigate through her career. Navigating student schedules through remote instruction have had its difficulties. Issues with technology and conflicting schedules as well as attempting to engage students while they are off-campus have all been present as she continues to counsel her students in the middle of a pandemic. Despite all of this, Mrs. Appleton has been able to find innovative ways to maintain professional relationships with her students. 

 

While each day is different, they generally come with several email check-ins and zoom meetings to ensure students are progressing through their career path. Just like in previous years, Mrs. Appleton still assists students with applying for college and ensuring they graduate on time. She continues to monitor that her students are engaging in volunteer opportunities and always makes it a priority that her students know they have a safe space when needed.  Her motivation to her students is constant. 

 

“I want to be able to help my students.” stated Mrs. Appleton “Whatever I can do to help students achieve their goals, that is where I draw my motivation from. I encourage any student to reach out. Counselors are there for lots of different things, whether you have questions about career ideas, life beyond high school or if you’re feeling anxious. Counselors are here to help.”