The Constants: Change and Professional Growth

Abstract

Mr. C, my principal, invited me into his office. How do you think you are doing? he asked. So far, so good. don't think I've missed anything yet, answered. He continued, I think you're working out fine. You know you're here on probation this year. don't have time to train you so you're on your own. My natural apprehension for a new position, new job classification, and new coworkers intensified with those words. was the only counselor in a small junior high school with no counselor mentor and no one to share my concerns. This began my school counseling experience. The next 16 years of my career were spent as the counselor at Bethel Junior High/Middle School located at the foot of Mount Pisgah in the beautiful Smokey Mountains of rural western North Carolina. As reflect on my career, the one constant is change. When began on August 6, 1989, school counseling was inclusive. was expected to fill any shoe or hat that my administrator wanted me to fill. My responsibilities included scheduling, record keeping, attendance, test coordinating, and referring exceptional students. was in charge of all types of special programs. In addition, often served as coordinator or committee chairperson regardless of my expertise, and represented our school on central office and community committees. coordinated all school clubs, honor societies, and award programs. In my role as school counselor, held conferences with parents, teachers, and students and counseled students on academic, personal, and career issues. An important responsibility included facilitating transitions from elementary to junior high and from junior high to high school. The job was overwhelming. Many days would get to school early and stay several hours late in order to have time to spend with students. As the years progressed, my job changed. Five years after was assigned to Bethel Junior High, it became Bethel Middle School, and the focus changed to the middle school concept with emphasis on a team approach and the social/emotional developmental needs of students. At the same time, the focus of educational reform in North Carolina centered on academic success as demonstrated by student test scores in reading and math. Haywood County created a lead teacher position, and test coordination became part of the duties of this position. As time progressed, administrative support staff used computerized record keeping and scheduling to complete many tasks that were previously mine. As my duties changed, was able to devote my time and energy to promote the academic, social/ emotional, and career development of students. …