Kassie's Column: School Counselors remain Unsung Heroes

My aunt, Sherraine, was a counselor at Lexington Senior High School from 1986 until 1994.
{Contributed photo}

Did you know this week is National School Counseling Week?

From the American School Counselor Association website: National School Counseling Week 2023 (#NSCW23) is Feb. 6-10, 2023, to focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within the U.S. school systems. National School Counseling Week, sponsored by ASCA, highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.

School counselors are typically unsung heroes. They accomplish a lot behind the scenes but receive very little fanfare in the public eye. The spotlight is usually reserved for teachers, administrators and coaches. However, anyone who’s ever worked in a school system can tell you how instrumental counselors are in assisting students with a variety of needs.

I’ve tried to dig deep into my memory to see if I could remember who my school counselors were in elementary school but I’m drawing a blank. I’ll just ask my mama because that’s what you do when you can’t remember something, right? Plus, in this case my mama will have the answer because they were colleagues of hers. Note: she told me she doesn’t remember us having a counselor in elementary school.

One thing my memory hasn’t failed me on is what I learned as a sixth grader in 1992. Wait, that was 31 years ago! Sheesh. Ok, let me get back on track.

This particular year I was a student at Lexington Middle School. My mama was a special education teacher at Eanes. My granddaddy was retired and was able to pick me up from school when it was over. However, an offer I couldn’t refuse presented itself.

My all-time favorite school counselor worked across the street at Lexington Senior High School. She told my mama I could come there after school and she would bring me home. Sixth grade me was hype! Hanging out at the high school after school where all the big kids were especially the cute boys – sign me up!

I have vivid memories of that time period -  the bell ringing, me walking out the front doors, crossing at the crosswalk when the guard said I could and then maneuvering my way through a maze of teenagers to arrive at the counseling office where My Auntie, Sherraine Lockhart (McLean) did some of her best work.

Sometimes she would be working. Sometimes I would pass her in the halls. Sometimes she would be out front talking with Mrs. Margaret Michael and Ms. Carol Fite (another extraordinary counselor). Often, she would be in her office chatting with a student or students.

Girls and boys from different races, backgrounds, parts of town flocked to her. Even if she was out front with Mrs. Michael and Ms. Fite, there was a high probability that a student was waiting for her in her office. Often, when I passed her in the halls, a student was walking with her.

She was their confidant. Their safe space. Their reality check. She advocated for them, corrected them, loved on them, encouraged them, challenged them and prodded them. She knew what to say and how to say it. She knew when she needed to pull from them and when she needed to wait it out for them to open up. She knew when she needed to share information beyond her four walls and when she needed to tuck it away deep into her vault.

Although, her title was school counselor she was much more than that. And 11-year-old me recognized it early on. Her students loved her. I witnessed it with my own eyes and I still hear it now with my own ears. They still ask about her when they see me. They ask me to tell her hello. Most finish off the conversation by sharing her influence in her life. She still has students (she never calls them her former students) who reach out to her for advice. As Kim Britt said one day years ago, “Sherraine knows she’s my counselor, forever.”

While often overlooked by many in the grand scheme of achievement, students who’ve been blessed to have a school counselor like my aunt know how valuable they are to their foundation. As the gutting of funding from public education continues and the evils of this world remain persistent to, it’s imperative for schools to be equipped with counselors who take pride in the young lives they’re helping shape and their profession.

Almost daily, there’s a story that has a variation of this wording – “School counselors will be available to talk with students.” Being a counselor is not for the weak or weary. To be successful in this position, it requires persons who are compassionate, kind, firm, resilient, balanced and supportive.

So, the next time you see a school counselor, thank a school counselor. Remember them in your prayers. Send them a gift of appreciation. Let them know that you see them.

To my middle and high school counselors, Mrs. Minnie Dukes & Ms. Fite – Thank you!

And to my fave – you the best! Love you Auntie!

Happy School Counselor’s Week!!