Ms. Oles joined the CCHS guidance department in 2017. Dragon Post reporter Colleen Alva sat down and spoke with her about background and transition to CCHS.
Transitioning to a new workplace can be nerve wracking, but it also holds many opportunities. Mrs. Oles, the newest addition to the Cornwall High School Guidance Department, talked about her past experiences at other school districts, why she decided she to be a school counselor, and shared her thoughts on Cornwall.
Where did you attend high school?
I graduated from Warwick.
Do you believe that your school counselors were helpful?
“I do.I found my counselor very helpful. Later on in my high school career, during the college application process, and in a time of family transition she was there as a source of support. Now as a school counselor, I definitely have a deepened appreciation for all of the work she did for me and other students.”
Did she encourage you to be a counselor?
No, when I was a senior in high school I was in between education and nursing. I didn’t realise counseling was a bachelor's degree I could get until I was a freshman in college. I took some counseling classes and realised that that was what I wanted to do.
How many classes were you required to take in order to be a school counselor?
I have a bachelor's degree in counseling and human services, with a concentration in peace and justice studies, and a masters in counseling and human relations as well as an additional fifteen credits beyond my masters for my NYS certification.
In total, how many years did you attend college?
Four in undergrad, and I did my masters full time for two years. And I have been taking classes online for the past five years.
How do you like online courses?
At first, because counseling is social in nature, I found it difficult to not have that connection with peers and a professor, and I do still miss that piece, but I do feel that online courses are great for getting information.
Did you intern at any schools?
When I was an undergrad I interned at a closed facility high school for students with psychiatric needs who had been hospitalized then moved to an inpatient program. In graduate school, I interned at a public high school in Pennsylvania.
How do other schools differ from Cornwall?
“I have been fortunate to work at several different schools and have a variety of different experiences, therefore, I can say Cornwall definitely is noted for its strong school spirit. I find that many students are very serious school athletes, and I have noticed that there are many students that have a good amount of family support which is really nice. [Cornwall students] are kind, caring, invested students that work hard for their grades.”
Did you prefer high school over middle school counseling?
I actually really loved middle school counseling. It was a lot of social skills, peer mediation and helping students adjust to puberty. I do love working with high school students though;it’s my primary passion.
Do you remember what your first day was like at Cornwall and how you felt?
“So my first day was a little different because I got to ease into it. I took over for Mrs. Ransom who the school knew in advance was going to retire, so I had a meeting with the middle school guidance counselor so I could get an idea of who the incoming freshmen were and I was here working over the summer. So it was very quiet and I could learn from Mrs. Ransom about all of the students that I would be taking over for. I felt very excited and remain very happy to be here.”
If you could be anything other than a school counselor, what would you be?
“If I had something I was just doing for fun, I would be a yoga instructor. I am a certified yoga teacher, but my career and family takes up a large portion of my time, so I haven’t taught yoga in almost 10 years. I am also always intrigued by the thought of having a private practice.”
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