It’s National Student Counselor week, and at Dobie Middle School, and that means celebrating the people who dedicate their time to us here at school. When you think of what a counselor does, what do you think of? Most would classify a counselor as someone to help you with your problems or to help plan your future. This isn’t wrong, counselors do all that, but they do so much more.

National School Counseling Week 2020, “School Counselors: Helping Build Better Humans,” was celebrated from Feb. 3–7, 2020, to focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems. National School Counseling Week, sponsored by the American School Counselor Association, highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. National School Counseling Week is always celebrated the first full week in February.

Natialie DeLeon, a seventh grader, said, “Some people talk to counselors and it’s nice to know they can get help when they need it.” I agree. Most people go through a hard time and that’s never fun, is it? We all need a shoulder to cry on and a counselor is the perfect person for the job. Yes, they do what they can to help solve your problems, but they also channel your emotions – emotions that are essential for your health. In this article from the University of Minnesota, it states being in a bad mood or thinking bad thoughts can be unhealthy for your brain, as it releases toxins that can destroy you mentally. 

But besides helping with your mental health, what else? Well, I’ve interviewed Chloe Mashburn, an 8th grader here at Dobie and she said, “I think it’s important to have school counselors because they help students but they also help the staff.” This is very true. Our counselors, Mrs. Ruhd, Mrs. Navarro, Mrs.Schroeder, and Mr. Dimas aren’t just here for the students. They are also here for the parents and teachers that are going through a rough patch. If they need someone to talk to why not it be a school counselor?

School counselors are important people. They help us in the greatest way possible – they help us handle our emotions. I am very thankful for having such wonderful people to be there in case I need them, like they were for my first day of school here. They made me feel better about being in a new place and assured me that this school is a wonderful place to be. For that, thank you counselors for everything.