Jesuit’s newest counselor, Ms. Carrie Lucas, is excited to have taken on a new role, just one building over from her last job. After working 13 years at Edison High School, Ms. Lucas anticipates a great first year.
Because she recalled not knowing her own counselor when she was in school, Ms. Lucas knew she had to make a difference in student to counselor relationships. This desire has led to the past 14 years of her life spent in student counseling.
“I probably had [a counselor], but never met them, and I really could have used one at the time,” Ms. Lucas said. “Also I just love working with adolescents and students.”
Though Ms. Lucas enjoyed her time at Edison, she admitted to wanting to join the Jesuit community for several reasons.
“I’ve always admired Jesuit from afar, just the sense of community and the hard work of the students and the friendliness of the staff,” Ms. Lucas said. “I was kind of ready for a change in my life, and kind of ready to take on a bigger challenge.”
With experience in the mental health field for over 20 years, Ms. Lucas was able to turn the nerves that come with a new role into excitement for the new school year.
“What excites me is the staff. They’ve all been so nice, and there’s so many different personalities and interests,” Ms. Lucas said.
Ms. Lucas has already learned so much from working with the rest of the counseling department. She is excited to share her wisdom with the community.
“I think the best piece of advice I got was to put the oxygen mask on myself first. You know, like when you’re on a plane, and they tell you to do that because if I don’t take care of myself, I won’t be able to help others,” Ms. Lucas said.
Ms. Lucas has so much to offer to the Jesuit community, and can’t wait to meet as many people as she can.
“The best way to reach out to me is to stop by and talk to Ms. Mitchell at the front desk. She can schedule an appointment, or you can email me directly and schedule a time to talk,” Ms. Lucas said.
Full Interview Transcript (edited for length and content):
How long have you been in your field?
“I have been in the mental health field for over 20 years, and I’ve been a school counselor now for 14 years.”
What inspired you to become a counselor?
“I never knew my own school counselor. I probably had one, but never met them, and I really could have used one at the time. That’s kind of what inspired me to go into school counseling. Also, I just love working with adolescents and students. I love being in a school community setting.”
Did you work anywhere prior to Jesuit?
“I worked at Edison High School for 13 years before this.”
What made you want to come to Jesuit?
“I’ve always admired Jesuit from afar— just the sense of community and the hard work of the students and the friendliness of the staff. I was kind of ready for a change in my life, and kind of ready to take on a bigger challenge. I have 220 kids on my caseload here. I had 46 at Edison.”
How was the transition from Edison to Jesuit?
“Smooth. Easy. Jesuit partnered me with a mentor teacher. He’s been really helpful. Everybody in the counseling department has been awesome, and just having familiarity with Jesuit has really helped, instead of just starting at a new job where I didn’t know anything about it.”
What are your main responsibilities at Jesuit?
“My main responsibility is to be here for students: to help them with academic needs [and] social emotional needs. I’m in the process of doing some sophomore programming to get sophomores more engaged and help them feel more comfortable at Jesuit.”
What does a typical day at Jesuit look like for you?
“So far, in the couple of weeks that I have been here, a typical day is a lot of students coming and asking for schedule changes. Also meeting with transfer students that are on my caseload, and just seeing how it’s going for them, if they need anything, and also just students dropping by and introducing themselves and me getting to know them.”
What excites you about working at Jesuit?
“What excites me is the staff. They’ve all been so nice, and there’s so many different personalities and interests. It’s been really cool to get to know them, and also getting to know all my students. I’ve met students who want to go to MIT, and then I’ve got students who are just trying to graduate high school. The kind of variety of personalities has been really exciting.”
How should students reach out to you?
“The best way to reach out to me is to stop by and talk to Ms. Mitchell at the front desk. She can schedule an appointment, or you can email me directly and schedule a time to talk.”
What is the best piece of advice you have gotten?
“I think the best piece of advice I got was to put the oxygen mask on myself first. You know, like when you’re on a plane, and they tell you to do that because if I don’t take care of myself, I won’t be able to help others.”
Is there anything that you think the community should know about you?
“There’s a lot of random things. I like to forage for wild mushrooms to cook with. It’s kind of random.”
Do you have any final words?
“I’m happy to be at Jesuit. It’s been great meeting you guys.”
