Mrs. Sferra

Mrs. Sferra is one of the new additions to the AHS Guidance staff! However, you may know her as your P.E. teacher when you attended Leighton, or as your guidance counselor when you attended Harmon. 

Sferra attended Kent State University and she has five degrees. Those five include a Bachelors of Science in Health Education and Physical Education, a Certification/endorsement for Adapted Physical Education, a Masters of Education in Measurement and Evaluation, a Masters of Science in Epidemiology, and a Masters of Education in School Counseling. 

The fall after she graduated from KSU, Sferra started working in Aurora. This year marks her eighteenth year here!

Originally, Sferra was a physical education teacher at Leighton Elementary School. She then became one of the guidance counselors at Harmon Middle School. Now, she’s a part of the four guidance counselors at AHS. Regarding her switch from being a P.E. teacher to a guidance counselor, Sferra mentioned, “It was definitely a learning curve, but was a welcome change and challenge. I have always believed in the mind-body connection, but getting to see a more holistic view of our students has been really awesome. I like collaborating with the staff, families, and students to make sure a student has access to what they need and to help them through tough times. Being a part of the difficult conversations is an honor to me.” 

Transitioning from elementary school to middle school, and then to high school is a pretty big change. When asked about this change, Sferra noted, “It has given me such a beautiful perspective on the journey…the energy and excitement of elementary students to the struggle for independence and autonomy as a middle schooler [navigating relationships with peers, teachers, parents, etcetera] to having honest, meaningful conversations about the future and next stage with high schoolers…being a part of our students’ journeys is one of the biggest responsibilities and blessings in my life.” 

Sferra wants her room environment to be a safe space, not only for her students but for the staff as well: “I want my office to be a safe space for students [and staff] to be able to be their most authentic self. I also want students to walk in and feel a calm energy, supported, and accepted.” 

Advice that Sferra wants to give to her students is this: “Work hard. Have fun. Own your mistakes.”

Let’s give Mrs. Sferra a warm welcome to AHS, and let’s make this a great experience for her at AHS! 

Written by: Maddie Mink

All photos were given by Mrs. Sferra.