Life at Benet is always busy, with students and staff managing class, sports practice, theater rehearsal, and much more. However, many Benet Redwings may not realize that some of the busiest members of the school are the counselors. But what does a counselor’s day look like? What is a counselor’s most important task? What would a glimpse into a counselor’s daily life reveal?
Counselor Mrs. Black shed light on these important questions. When asked what her typical day looks like, she responded, “Every day is different! In addition to teaching Freshman Advisory and Sophomore Advisory classes, school counselors also meet one-on-one with students, teachers, administrators, and parents and frequently collaborate with fellow counselors or our social worker. When we aren’t working directly with others, we are planning for our next presentation, participating in professional development, or analyzing data to make informed decisions. If a crisis occurs, that immediate need will take precedence over everything else. Students may be surprised to know that if they are going through something difficult in their lives, it is most likely something that someone else is also going through or has gone through before. You are not alone.”
Black’s favorite topic to work on with students is self-advocacy. In a college-prep school, self-advocacy is essential, as she explained: “Self-advocacy is a topic that may be easy to conceptually understand but can seem daunting to undertake. School counselors are helpers, not ‘fixers,’ and I want students to feel supported and empowered … to be advocates for themselves and others throughout their entire lives.” Self-advocacy is sure to help Redwings in college and beyond, and thanks to counselors, they can excel in this ability.
Black also expressed her love for her job: “My hope is that I can make a meaningful, positive difference in people’s lives. A seminarian friend of mine shared a simple prayer that I try to emulate, which is, ‘I want to want what You want, Lord.’ When I start my day in this way, it reminds me that my role is not only a job but a vocation.”
And so, thanks to Mrs. Black, a day in the life of a counselor is revealed: a day of service, encouragement, and support. Thanks to Benet’s counselors, students can better understand themselves and find daily reassurance in everything they do, knowing that someone out there is thinking of them and planning tomorrow with both confidence and experience.
