Counselor & Coach, Molly Callaghan is Still a Buc at Heart
Molly Callaghan, Freshman School Counselor at Kent High School, is the Shore Update Teacher of the Month and grew up right here on Kent Island. Molly also has been a coach for the Kent Island High School cheer team for 10 years! Learn how Molly went from teaching English to becoming a school counselor. And… congratulations to Molly who just had a baby in May.
What is your background? Have long have you been a counselor? I grew up in the community and attended Kent Island High School (Once a Buc, Always a Buc!). After I graduated, I attended the University of Maryland and got my teaching degree. I was an English teacher for the last seven years and during that time I worked on my Masters in School Counseling. This is my first year as a school counselor and I am loving it!
Why choose teaching Freshman School Counselor? What do you do in this capacity? I took over for a counselor who was assigned to the freshman class, but I love that I am starting my counseling career with the Class of 2029! It has been awesome getting to know them and I am excited to follow them for the next 3 years. As a high school counselor, I help students navigate all parts of high school life - academically, socially, and emotionally. I am their biggest cheerleader!
What was your favorite subject in school? English was my favorite subject in school because I loved how one topic could be interpreted in so many different ways, allowing for new ideas and meaningful discussion!
What is it about counseling that you find rewarding? I love getting to know the students on a personal level! I get to help them prepare for life after high school based on their interests and it is rewarding to watch them identify and work towards their dreams and goals!
Is there a part that is difficult... challenging? The hardest challenge for me so far is trying to get to know my entire class. I have approximately 290 students and I want to build a strong relationship with them all!
What advice would you give a parent to help their child succeed in school? The jump from middle to high school is difficult for any student! My advice would be to help students find ways that they can stay organized. Additionally, to work on communicating skills and always ask for help! There are so many people and resources at the high school, and we are all there to help our students!
How can a parent tell if their child is struggling in school? What role might you play here? On the academic side, if parents start seeing a frequency of missing assignments, that usually means the student is struggling. Parents and students can monitor this through PowerSchool- a great tool to stay on top of their assignments and overall grades! On the social and emotional side, students who may be struggling may have a major change in their normal behaviors. As a school counselor, I can help with both- just reach out if you are concerned and I can meet with the student to come up with a plan!
What do you do on your own time for fun? I am a coach for the KIHS cheer team and I have been for almost 10 years! I also love to spend time outside and on the water...We live in the most amazing community!
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