National School Counselor Week is a time to shine a spotlight on a group of heroes in our district – our school counselors. These dedicated professionals play a pivotal role in shaping the academic and emotional well-being of our students.
For many counselors, the decision to enter the field is rooted in a deep-seated passion for helping young minds navigate the challenges of growing up.
Kriston Ramsey, the counselor at Gap Creek and Fountain City Elementary, started her career as a family service worker for the Department of Children’s Services but felt her efforts were only retroactively impacting the students she worked with.
“There’s so many things we can do proactively to impact their life longer term,” she said. “I want to try to give these kids the skills they can use to avoid those situations in the future at all possible. I’ve seen the effects of negative situations, and they’re not pretty.”
Sterchi Elementary Counselor Devin Debusk
School counselors wear many hats, providing a wide range of services to address the diverse needs of their students.
Hardin Valley Middle School counselor Rebecca Gomez said each day is different. She could walk in with a plan for a classroom lesson on diversity and identity, a group counseling session on building friendship skills, and a one-on-one with a student who is struggling, and have her entire schedule change if a child is in crisis.
She added, “There is so much collaboration and consultation behind the scenes with teachers, administrators, and parents as we may identify larger barriers to learning. Side by side, we put the pieces together to remove those for students.”
From showcasing potential career fields to boosting social-emotional skills, counselors play a crucial role in nurturing the holistic development of their students.
Despite the hardships and troubles they assist with every day in their schools, counselors love interacting with their kids.
“One of my favorite things is when the kids say silly things or tell funny stories. They sometimes forget you’re an adult and just pour their heart out to you like you’re their friend,” said the counselor at Sterchi Elementary, Devin Debusk. “Our kids are so loving and supportive of each other. They can be wild and crazy, but they just love their teachers and love to have fun.”
Hardin Valley Middle Counselor Rebecca Gomez
In their daily interactions with students, these counselors are attuned to the common issues affecting today’s youth.
“I’m working with a lot of students on social skills and coping skills, along with working through anxieties,” Ramsey said. “We’re still seeing the effects of COVID through the behaviors of our kids and how much social learning they missed out on during that time.”
Gomez added, “I have seen an increase in mental health concerns, for sure.” She continued, “But I also see that the conversations around it are being brought into the open and a lot more people are wanting to support students in that area.”
When it comes to supporting their child outside of school, Debusk stressed the importance of community involvement in student development.
“Kids crave undivided, positive attention from adults. That’s something anyone can provide, whether you’re a family member, daycare worker, or school staff member. Just listening to them and giving them respect to share their thoughts is so important to them.”
The stories of these incredible individuals are just a glimpse into counselors’ passion and commitment to their vital roles in schools across the district.
Gap Creek and Fountain City Elementary Schools Counselor Kriston Ramsey
As we celebrate National School Counselor Week, Knox County Schools encourages the community to take a moment to appreciate and honor these dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to shape the future of our children.