This month we want to introduce three Pitt County School Counselors – Brenna Ballenger, Robin Dale and Terese Ewing who are counselors at Ayden-Grifton High School.
-How long have you been a counselor? How many years have you been a counselor at your current school? How many students do you serve?
Brenna – This is my first year as a counselor. Previously I was a college and career advisor for five years. I serve 196 students.
Robin – I have been a counselor for 4 years and have been at Ayden-Grifton for 2 years. I serve 224 students.
Terese- I have been a counselor for 18 years (taught high school 10 years) and have been at Ayden-Grifton for 7 years. I serve 228 students.
-Students know you as a counselor. What is something interesting about you as a person – your family, hobbies, etc?
Brenna – Students know that they can trust me when they need assistance, that I will show them pieces of my life. I moved from Idaho this past summer which makes me new to North Carolina. I’m married with 2 daughters and have quite a few pets.
Robin – Something interesting about me that my students may not know is that I love woodworking and building stuff.
Terese – Honestly, students know all about me. For instance, they know I’m a Marvel fan, lover of college football, and the future Mrs. Jason Momoa. They know I love my 2 dogs and the beach almost as much as I love my 2 daughters. And they know I love Jesus.
-What is your favorite part of being a counselor?
Robin – My favorite part about being a counselor is getting to truly know students and getting to be a part of their life and walk beside them, even if only for a few years. While most people cling to the motto “be the person they didn’t have when they were younger”, my motto is to “be the person I did have when I was younger”. My school counselor impacted me as a person in so many ways and I can only hope to do the same for my students I serve.
-The role of a counselor has changed over time. What are key components of what you do in your role as a counselor at your school?
Robin – Some key components of what I do as a high school counselor are: mental/emotional wellness, crisis response, academic advising, college advising, career advising, and connecting students with any additional resources they may be in need of.
-What advice, from the perspective of your role, would you give to families with a rising 9th grader?
Brenna – To be committed to attending school and to try their best at passing classes because life will not get easier than high school.
-What advice, from the perspective of your role, would you give to families with a rising 12th grader?
Terese – Attend our family nights.
Use a calendar to help you plan when to complete college applications and scholarship applications while also staying involved in the activities that interest you.
Make sure your student has volunteered and explored an area that they are passionate about – not tons of different things for an hour here and there.
Prepare a resume (we can help!!) and share with anyone you ask to write recommendations. Then, write each recommender a thank you note after they write that recommendation. Give the recommender plenty of advance notice.
Do not use the same essay for all applications. Read carefully what each application is asking. Use our “Money Making Essays” guide. Ask us for help. But remember that your essay should be worth the amount of money being offered.
Take courses that interest you and prepare you for what you want to do. Sometimes, that means taking a class that you later find out doesn’t interest you at all. That’s a lot cheaper than majoring in something in college only to find you don’t really want to do it.
This month we want to introduce you to PPS-PC Board Vice President, Jessica Lawrence.
-How long have you served on the Parents for Public Schools of Pitt County Board of Directors?
Jessica – I joined the PPS-PC Board in August 2018.
-What are three facts about yourself – your family, hobbies, work/volunteer areas, etc.
Jessica – I am a proud wife, mother of a rising 1st grader, and I change the world 1 book recommendation at a time as a Market Lead Business Development Manager for Barnes & Noble.
-Why did you choose to make a commitment to and invest your time and energy to serve on the PPS-PC Board?
Jessica – I learned about PPS-PC through work and attended a Kindergarten 101 workshop to help my best friend and godchild make the transition smoothly. I was so impressed with PPS-PC afterwards that I immediately asked how I could become more involved and registered for the next Parent Engagement Program. Education is the most valuable resource a person and community has. It creates and empowers the critically thinking citizens that will collaborate to solve the problems and challenges facing our community now and in the future. PPS-PC helps ensure the success of our community by serving as a bridge between our community members and local school system. And by dedicating my time and resources to them I too help ensure this success in a small way.
-What is the greatest challenge facing public education in Pitt County?
Jessica – I think the greatest threat to public education today is a negative public perception which results in low levels of support for teachers and schools. PPS-PC helps address this challenge by sharing successes of teachers and schools in our community and keeping the focus on how all stakeholders can work together to improve our community schools and the educational opportunities available to our children.
-Of the three main PPS-PC programs – Community Conversations, Parent Engagement Program and School Tours – which one is your favorite to engage in?
Jessica – I love our community conversations. It gives me an opportunity to understand the various experiences and perspectives our community members have and provides valuable insights for Pitt County Schools via our annual report.
