Teacher Spotlight, Guidance
Guidance Counselor, Ms. Smith, like a guardian angel, helps students find clarity in their life. Whether it is picking an academy, home troubles, or figuring out what to do after high school, she’s got your back.
Greeted by soft light and even softer carpet, shows that the office Ms. Smith and Ms. Peennel share is the definition of comfort. Walls decorated with diplomas, posters and pastel colors to make it feel unlike some of the other rooms in the school. While this one is delicate and fuzzy, the others are muted and dull: four white concrete walls with glaring white LED lights.
Ms. Smith’s kind eyes shine with the mellow string lights reflecting off of them. There’s the soft clicking and clacking of fidgeting hands and the soft whirring of a fan.
Vanessa Smith, 28, was born July 21 in the soupy summer heat and grew up in Union County, Tennessee. She loves the community here at Central High School, but dreads the excruciatingly long drive between home and work. But her day is always brightened by “..all the students that come in to say hi.” said Ms. Smith.
She decided to become a counselor because she wanted to help kids who didn’t know what they wanted to do after high school. In high school she struggled academically and studied hard to make her way through. When asked if she knew what she wanted to be right out of high school she said,”No not at all, I changed my mind at least ten times.”
“(When I was little) ..I wanted to be a veterinarian.” Ms. Smith said. That was until she realized the sad part about the job. Sometimes she thinks about if she had a different job, she would want to do something that requires her to travel. She has always wanted to see the world.
“(Advice I would give to my younger self) ..would be.. Don’t be afraid of what other people think. Don’t be afraid of what you would like to do.” Ms. Smith said. Ms. Smith went to Lincoln Memorial University. The college she went to didn’t have the major she was originally going for either, which was another struggle. She originally wanted to be a family and consumer science teacher but ultimately decided, the teacher path was not right for her.
Her first job was at a women’s clothing store in the mall that was called Deb’s. It paid $7.25 dollars an hour, but she didn’t care. She was just happy to have a job. Plus, she got a 40% off discount.
Outside of school, Ms.Smith’s favorite people are her dogs, Remington and Koda. (She considers her pups as people.) She also has two cats, Oliver and Hot-Pocket. She is very introverted and loves reading fantasy books at home and drinking coffee with her pets.
Fun facts about Ms.Smith include: she often re-watches her favorite show, Friends, her favorite song is “You’re On Your Own, Kid” by Taylor Swift and she enjoys her quiet time.
In conclusion, Ms. Smith is a great counselor and is always ready to help. Her office is located to the left side of the library. She’d be very happy if more students visited!
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