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We are all born with a purpose and a passion. The challenge is finding it and working hard to develop it. As I look back on my journey, I can identify many experiences that brought me to where I am today, and I can say that I am living my purpose!
We are all born with a purpose and a passion. The challenge is finding it and working hard to develop it. As I look back on my journey, I can identify many experiences that brought me to where I am today, and I can say that I am living my purpose!
I have always known that I should be a counselor. That being said, I never really understood how to get to where I needed to be, and I was blessed with other gifts and opportunities that led me down a different path. I worked in high school and college at a church camp and loved it. I was a child advocate for domestic abuse in college, as well as a residential assistant on a floor of college students. All of these part-time jobs inspired and challenged me and made me feel like I was making a difference, despite the fact that I followed my gift of music. I earned a BA in music and a minor in communications as well as a youth ministry certificate from Wartburg College (2002). I received a graduate scholarship and continued my education at the University of Northern Iowa, working toward a Master of Music degree in vocal performance (2004). Although I love music and know that I have a gift to share, I never felt that professional singing or teaching private voice/piano or college-level classes was my final career calling. One of my best opera coaches inspired me when she gave me permission to leave the world of professional music and follow my heart. She said, "You have to know what you want and what will truly make you happy."
I have always known that I should be a counselor. That being said, I never really understood how to get to where I needed to be, and I was blessed with other gifts and opportunities that led me down a different path. I worked in high school and college at a church camp and loved it. I was a child advocate for domestic abuse in college, as well as a residential assistant on a floor of college students. All of these part-time jobs inspired and challenged me and made me feel like I was making a difference, despite the fact that I followed my gift of music. I earned a BA in music and a minor in communications as well as a youth ministry certificate from Wartburg College (2002). I received a graduate scholarship and continued my education at the University of Northern Iowa, working toward a Master of Music degree in vocal performance (2004). Although I love music and know that I have a gift to share, I never felt that professional singing or teaching private voice/piano or college-level classes was my final career calling. One of my best opera coaches inspired me when she gave me permission to leave the world of professional music and follow my heart. She said, "You have to know what you want and what will truly make you happy."
I moved to Clarinda, IA, after graduate school so that I could date and marry my husband, Matt. I worked part time for Iowa Western Community College as an adjunct music professor and enjoyed it, but the Clarinda campus was not large and the job could not offer me full time employment. I worked a couple other part-time jobs on the side that confirmed what I did NOT want to do as a long-term career, but also challenged and developed me in new areas while giving me an opportunity to get to know the Clarinda community. After having my son in 2008, I took a full time job working at Clarinda Middle School as a paraprofessional. I loved being a para for many reasons - the schedule was ideal for my family and I knew I loved the environment, working with school staff, and especially working with kids. I have always considered myself to be a life-long learner and I knew I had to find a way to continue working in the schools, but in an area where I could use and develop my gifts and my passion. I also knew that I was not cut out to be a classroom teacher, but I wanted to stay in education as someone who could offer support. School counseling seemed so out of reach for me because I lacked the education degree. To meet my need for challenge and to gain more experience in education, I earned my substitute authorization license and started substitute teaching in the summer at Clarinda Academy, a residential school for mostly adjudicated and at-risk youth. I learned quickly that the environment challenged me, but most of all, I found personal rewards in helping the students to become a better version of themselves.
I moved to Clarinda, IA, after graduate school so that I could date and marry my husband, Matt. I worked part time for Iowa Western Community College as an adjunct music professor and enjoyed it, but the Clarinda campus was not large and the job could not offer me full time employment. I worked a couple other part-time jobs on the side that confirmed what I did NOT want to do as a long-term career, but also challenged and developed me in new areas while giving me an opportunity to get to know the Clarinda community. After having my son in 2008, I took a full time job working at Clarinda Middle School as a paraprofessional. I loved being a para for many reasons - the schedule was ideal for my family and I knew I loved the environment, working with school staff, and especially working with kids. I have always considered myself to be a life-long learner and I knew I had to find a way to continue working in the schools, but in an area where I could use and develop my gifts and my passion. I also knew that I was not cut out to be a classroom teacher, but I wanted to stay in education as someone who could offer support. School counseling seemed so out of reach for me because I lacked the education degree. To meet my need for challenge and to gain more experience in education, I earned my substitute authorization license and started substitute teaching in the summer at Clarinda Academy, a residential school for mostly adjudicated and at-risk youth. I learned quickly that the environment challenged me, but most of all, I found personal rewards in helping the students to become a better version of themselves.
Eventually, in 2010, I started full-time at Clarinda Academy where eventually I worked as the Transition Coordinator. My job allowed me to collaborate with case managers, special education teachers, juvenile court and probation officers, clinical and CA staff to coordinate transition plans for our students who were generally in grades 7-12+. I loved helping the students with college and career readiness, and I enjoyed coordinating and managing our pro-social and decision making skills programming. I also loved being one of their "counselors." It was during this job that I knew I needed to go back to school to earn my professional school counseling license and an education degree. My first class was Exceptional Learner, and I realized then that I had made the perfect decision for me. I had found my purpose!
Eventually, in 2010, I started full-time at Clarinda Academy where eventually I worked as the Transition Coordinator. My job allowed me to collaborate with case managers, special education teachers, juvenile court and probation officers, clinical and CA staff to coordinate transition plans for our students who were generally in grades 7-12+. I loved helping the students with college and career readiness, and I enjoyed coordinating and managing our pro-social and decision making skills programming. I also loved being one of their "counselors." It was during this job that I knew I needed to go back to school to earn my professional school counseling license and an education degree. My first class was Exceptional Learner, and I realized then that I had made the perfect decision for me. I had found my purpose!
In August of 2017, I started working as the At-Risk Coordinator for Clarinda Community School District. I supported our counselors and staff team by developing relationships with many of our students and families. Following that, I worked with 5-8 grades as their counselor. I currently serve grades 4-6. I am so incredibly thankful that my career path has been diverse and challenging. I feel very equipped to do the job I am in and to inspire others to be better versions of themselves.
In August of 2017, I started working as the At-Risk Coordinator for Clarinda Community School District. I supported our counselors and staff team by developing relationships with many of our students and families. Following that, I worked with 5-8 grades as their counselor. I currently serve grades 4-6. I am so incredibly thankful that my career path has been diverse and challenging. I feel very equipped to do the job I am in and to inspire others to be better versions of themselves.
Before we can even begin to work with others, we have to understand why we have the desire. For me, my gift of tolerance and compassion is the reason I wake up every day inspired to give and share love to my students, families, and staff. The root of counseling is relationships. I want every student and staff that I work with to know how much I truly, genuinely care for them. When they know how loved they are, they will trust me to help them achieve their goal of belonging and learning. I work with youth because I genuinely care about their overall well-being, including their self-awareness, self-development, identity, safety, academic abilities, and self-esteem. My work with youth has always come from a place of love. For me, love and compassion for others are two key values that guide my practice. In every moment, program, or situation that I engage in as a professional school counselor, my sight is set on my goal for others to know love, feel tolerance and acceptance, and to see these traits in me. This is my passion and my purpose.
Before we can even begin to work with others, we have to understand why we have the desire. For me, my gift of tolerance and compassion is the reason I wake up every day inspired to give and share love to my students, families, and staff. The root of counseling is relationships. I want every student and staff that I work with to know how much I truly, genuinely care for them. When they know how loved they are, they will trust me to help them achieve their goal of belonging and learning. I work with youth because I genuinely care about their overall well-being, including their self-awareness, self-development, identity, safety, academic abilities, and self-esteem. My work with youth has always come from a place of love. For me, love and compassion for others are two key values that guide my practice. In every moment, program, or situation that I engage in as a professional school counselor, my sight is set on my goal for others to know love, feel tolerance and acceptance, and to see these traits in me. This is my passion and my purpose.
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