Leading Dynamic Professionals: Greatness for All

Passion
According to a study from the International Journal of Social Sciences & Educational Studies on Passion in Teaching and Learning, “Passion which is indispensable for learning and teaching facilitates learning thorough desire and enthusiasm it creates.” This is likely true for school counseling, as well.

School counseling is my dream job. My passion comes from the love and gratitude for a profession that gives me so much purpose in life. I suspect that I am not alone. Many love the field of school counseling and the work we do with our future leaders. We must pay this love and passion forward. Be excited and enthusiastic about spreading your love for, knowledge about and connection with this outstanding profession. As leaders in our schools, districts and departments, we must understand the critical time we are embarking upon. In this time of change and innovation in the profession, the importance of educating and advocating with passion is necessary.

Charisma
Leadership in school counseling is pouring into the profession. We must inspire fellow school counselors to be dynamic beacons of hope and change. Charisma is necessary! Regina Brown, current director of School Counseling for Petersburg City Public Schools has been one of my greatest mentors in the profession. She has been a pivotal force of encouragement and support in my development as a school counselor. She always told me, “Nobody wants a boring counselor!” From this, I have always strived for interactions with my students that would be creative and memorable. I felt empowered and confident to find my identity to be an energetic, passionate and brave school counseling professional. I am inspired to impact students in ways they will never forget.

Humility
As leaders, school counselors must take risks, get out of our comfort zones, achieve greatness and inspire the same tenacity in our students, colleagues, mentees, interns and parents. There is room for greatness in all of us. Tap into the talents of those you work closely with, giving them connection and purpose to their work. As a profession, there is enough excellence to go around – we should not ration it! Apply this to your daily work and give yourself (and those around you) permission to make mistakes. Be transparent and challenge your lessons, activities, interventions and techniques. Collect data and audit program effectiveness. Commit yourself to being on a constant journey of growth. In my southern drawl: If it can’t help ’em’ grow, it has to go! If it is somethin’ that helps ’em leap, its somethin’ we gotta keep!

Perpetuity
Encourage those you work with, both students and colleagues, to let their light shine. As we look to future leaders in the profession, celebrate the diversity of talents. Besides, the only thing worse than having a boring counselor is being one, right? School counseling leadership is about “showing up and showing out.” School counseling leadership is tirelessly working to show stakeholders the possibilities that can be achieved by the work we do and the unique asset we are to our students and future leaders.

Jentae Mayo is a member of the VSCA Board of Directors. Contact her at vscadirector3@gmail.com.