Valerie Flores, a guidance counselor from Beacon High School, joined the Townsend Harris guidance staff this fall.
In a video interview, Ms. Flores told The Classic that she looks forward to learning about the THHS student body, particularly “what brings them joy.”
She said she felt “honored to be a part of this team and knows that [she is] going to learn a lot professionally.”
Assistant Principal of Guidance Jessica Graf, who ran the hiring process, spoke about how Ms. Flores stood out amongst “over 100 [applicants].”
“[Ms.Flores] had a very strong background in college counseling, and she also just had a wonderful demeanor interacting with both adults and students. I think her energy was really one of a kind,” Ms. Graf said.
As part of the hiring process, Ms. Flores was required to meet with students.
Junior Elvis Chan, who volunteered to take part of this trial, discussed his experience with Ms. Flores.
“Ms. Flores really showed her passion about being a counselor,” Elvis said, complimenting how comfortable she was speaking and interacting with students.
In addition to this task, Ms.Graf assigned the potential counselors to submit a writing sample since guidance counselors are involved in writing college recommendation letters for seniors.
Other members of the guidance department shared their thoughts on their fellow coworker.
“She’s a go-getter. I’ve already seen her interact and get involved with things,” said Ms. Skoda.
“She’s very friendly, very cordial, very open, and very enthusiastic,” said Mr. Wang
Ms. Skoda said, “[The] next big thing our office works on is college applications, and her expertise is great, and she’s already offered support in any capacity with students and is willing to step in,”
Sophomore Tahiyya Karim met with Ms. Flores to discuss a schedule change. Tahiyya, seeking to change her first band class, was advised by Ms. Flores to stay in her scheduled class. “I am satisfied with how she dealt with [the issue] because she ended up being right… and I wouldn’t change [my classes] if I could,” said Tahiyya.
“To me, I really [felt] like [she had] the characteristic of what a counselor should [have] here at Townsend Harris,” Elvis said.
