Relationships Matter

National School Counselors Week

Relationships Matter

By Damon Stone, Freelance Writer

This week is National School Counselors Week, which celebrates the effects that counselors have on the schools they are a part of.

Alecia Bush, the counselor at Caverna Middle and High Schools, who holds an Educational Specialist Degree in School Counseling, believes in fostering lasting relationships.

“My philosophy is, and has always been, that (the counselor’s job) is based on relationships,” Bush expressed. “I think meeting basic student needs, making sure they feel safe, making sure they are healthy in every way, mentally and physically, and just having a mutual respect for each other, knowing the students, knowing the families, and just listening and being open to the students, accepting of differences.”

Bush explained that counseling at her level, being with middle and high school students, that students are more articulate with what their needs are, and that she reflects that by allowing them choices and a voice in the available support within the community.

Bush had initially attended Western Kentucky University, receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in Learning and Behavior Disorders, and afterwards, had pursued classwork in low incidence disabilities, before ultimately deciding to pursue a Master’s Degree in School Counseling, along with her Educational Specialist Degree, at the University of the Cumberlands.

The classes that Bush took in incident disabilities and moderate and severe disabilities were through WKU, the University of Kentucky, and the University of Louisville.

“As an educator, we promote lifelong learning, and I believe the best way to advocate for that is to lead by example,” Bush added.

Bush explained that she takes great inspiration from Rita Pierson, an educator whose philosophy is that every student deserves a champion, being an adult that never gives up on them, understands the power of their connection, and insists that they can become the best that they can possibly be.

“(Barren County Schools) gave me my start in 2004,” Bush explained. “A lot of professional growth in the classroom, as I did work with the special education community in my time there, then I was able to work for Warren County Public Schools, for the past three years. I served as an elementary school counselor; again, a lot of opportunities and learning that took place for me.”

Bush said that coming back to Caverna was a full-circle experience, coming back home for her, and from her years of counseling, she has witnessed students grow in and out of the classroom, while growing herself in a similar way.

“Inside the classroom, I’ve been able to witness students growing academically, socially, emotionally, but I think if I can say the greatest impact that students have had on me, it often takes place outside of the classroom,” Bush emphasized. “I’ve had the opportunity to attend student baptisms, I’ve been invited to attend student adoptions. (…) Impact doesn’t just happen inside the classroom, and the impact isn’t always from the adult to the student, oftentimes, it’s how the student marks your heart and impacts your life.”

Bush added that she still has contact with students from Warren and Barren County schools, whether that be through emails, letters, or their parents.

“I’ve reached a point in my career where I am now starting to see the students that I have now are children of the children that were students years ago,” Bush said.

One vital part of a counselor’s job is to help students with mental health issues, and Bush believes that mental health is as important as physical health.

“Both of those areas can impact a student’s success, not only academically, but professionally going forward,” Bush explained. “We start very early pushing college and career readiness, and the level that I serve at now, there is a big push to either or both of those. It’s fortunate that mental health does not carry the stigma that it once did, and we are acknowledging that and allowing students to get health on the inside, as well as the outside.”

Bush added that they do partnerships with agencies in the community, where they can come in and provide more intensive services beyond the capabilities of a school counselor, and can offer long-term services for students.

“When students are mentally and physically nurtured and healthy then the learning process is more efficient,” Bush stated. “Students are able to come ready to learn and are more successful in reaching their goals.”

Transitioning to Caverna, Bush expressed that despite its size, has been very supportive of her and the work she has done.

“I think (Caverna) is an amazing little school, it’s a very supportive district,” Bush said. “It’s been a very peaceful and easy transition for me. Staff from the central office all the way down to the elementary school, even colleagues in other districts, have reached out to offer support as I learn my new role here.”

From interacting with the students at Caverna, Bush believes that there are “bright figures that walk these hallways,” and that she is excited to see where their paths take them.

“I think my transition to Caverna Independent is what we do,” Bush said. “It’s all about reaching out, supporting each other, and promoting success.”