Mr. Harriston Interview
Q:What was the main cause for your change from middle school to high school?
Mr. Harriston: “There wasn't really a cause, for both of us not just speaking for myself, I was looking to expand my knowledge in counseling.”
Q: Do you prefer being a high school counselor more than middle school counselor?
Mr. Harriston: “I don't think there is a lesser or more. I enjoy working with younger students, I enjoy working with middle school students, but I also have experience with high school Students.”
Q:What has been your favorite part of becoming a high school counselor?
Mr. Harriston: “Some of the conversation and really getting involved in the daily lives of students…supporting them.”
Q: Is there something that you miss about middle school counseling?
Mr. Harriston: “I miss the kids, I miss the colleagues, the middle school teachers, my middle school administration team.”
Q:If you had the choice to go back to middle school counseling would you?
Mr. Harriston: “Right now I enjoy working as a highschool counselor, but if there was an opportunity down the road I definitely would.”
Q: Do you feel welcomed by the high school counseling team?
Mr. Harriston: “I do, I think I’m new, I think kids are figuring out how I’m transitioning to High school counseling.”
Q:What are new challenges with high school counseling?
Mr. Harriston: “Really getting to know the system.”
Q:Do you have plans on continuing as a high school counselor?
Mr. Harristion: “I plan on doing this for a while. I do enjoy working in high school… I would love to finish out my career as a High school counselor.”
Q:Was the switch with Ms.Walker a last minute decision or a well planned out decision?
Mr. Harriston: “This was something discussed and planned.. We figured out that this was not just beneficial for myself but for staff members.”
Q:How many years did you work in middle school counseling? Did you believe you would ever become a High school counselor?
Mr. Harriston: “12 years of middle school counseling. Originally as I first started as a counselor I thought I was going to start High School. Ended up middle school.”
Ms. Walker Interview
Ms. Walker Interview
Q:What was the main cause for your change from high school to middle school?
Ms. Walker: “The biggest thing is I went back to school last year to earn my administrative credential and I wanted to diversify my resume."
Q: Do you prefer being a middle school counselor more than high school counselor?
Ms. Walker: “I love my job as a counselor, it doesn't matter the level, I'm here to help all students. Even as a high school counselor I helped middle school students and even as a middle school counselor I still helped High school students.”
Q:What has been your favorite part of becoming a middle school counselor?
Ms. Walker: “My favorite part so far is getting to know my teachers, my parents, and students.”
Q: Is there something that you miss about high school counseling?
Ms. Walker: “Honestly no because I still get to interact with my kids, I still get to go to the games, I still run YBS for High School… My caseload is different but I still get to see my kids.”
Q:If you had the choice to go back to high school counseling would you?
Ms. Walker: “I would, but I’m liking middle school as well.”
Q: Do you feel welcomed by the middle school counseling team?
Ms. Walker: “Yes I do. They’re amazing.”
Q:What are new challenges with middle school counseling?
Ms. Walker: “Not necessarily a challenge, but middle school students are different from high school students. There is a more of a social emotional need as High school students are preparing [for the future].”
Q:Do you have plans on continuing as a middle school counselor?
Ms. Walker: “Yes.”
Q:Was the switch with Mr. Harriston a last minute decision or a well planned out decision?
Ms. Walker: “We planned it out, we knew last year.”
Q:How many years did you work in high school counseling? Did you believe you would ever become a middle school counselor?
Ms. Walker: “...Ten years as a high school counselor. To be honest I never believed I would become a high school counselor. That just happened to be my first job.”
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