Caring Counselor

Mrs. Rodriguez puts her heart into her job

 

 

                 
                         By ROOHIE CHAUDRY, 11

 

 

 

 

Shannon Rodriguez is one of five new
counselors at Bryan Adams this year. Her
responsibility is the 11th grade cohort.

 

Mrs. Rodriguez is an academic and
social/emotional counselor. Her job as an
academic counselor is to make sure all
students have the required credits to
graduate. Mrs. Rodriguez also provides
college information and helps students sign
up for the SAT and ACT that most colleges
require for admission. She covers TAKS or
STAAR test students might have failed or
still need to take. Mrs. Rodriguez does all it
takes to help students to graduate.

 

“It is important to plan for your future, your
choices today will affect what happens to you
later in your life, and I am always here to
help,” said Mrs. Rodriguez.

 

As a social/emotional counselor she provides counseling for students who have a difficult time dealing with school, home as well as life problems.

 

Mrs. Rodriguez is from New York. She went to college at Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tennessee where she earned her teaching degree. She taught high school for 6 years before becoming a counselor. She then returned to college and earned her Master’s Degree in counseling. She has been a counselor for 17 years. Before coming to BA Mrs. Rodriguez was a counselor at Lake Highlands High School.

 

Mrs. Rodriguez has 3 children. She has a daughter who is a senior in high school, a freshman son and a daughter in 6th grade. She enjoys reading, going out to her kids sporting events and traveling - even though she says she doesn’t get too often.

 

“I have been to Mexico, Canada and places around the US and the Bahamas,” she said. “I would like to travel to Europe and to South America.”

 

If Ms. Rodriguez was not in the field of education she says she would like to own and operate a taco truck.

“I’ve always liked making tacos and feeding people,” she said.

 

As a counselor first and foremost, Mrs. Rodriguez works to serve the students at BA. Although her job is extremely rewarding she says at times it can be frustrating.

 

“The biggest challenge I face is seeing students struggle and not being able to see past it,” she said. “Unfortunately they don't always take my advice.”

 

11.25.14