Rachel Herrick, originally from Shoreham, Vermont, graduated in 2013 with an M.A. in professional school counseling.
When I visited and interviewed [at Appalachian], I had the sense of belonging and I suddenly felt confident. I even said in the interview, ‘I just know I'm going to be a school counselor, even if I don't get accepted to this program, it's going to happen.’ The environment was accepting and warm. I also was very interested in the certificate offerings in addition to the Master's degree.”
Rachel is employed as a school counselor at Ira B. Jones Elementary School in Asheville, North Carolina. She serves approximately 450 students through individual counseling, small group counseling, and classroom counseling. She also serves the school as a member and collaborator of their School Improvement Team, Student Support Wrap Around Team, Positive Behavior Interventions & Support Team, and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Team.
The school counseling program at Appalachian prepared Rachel in many ways, specifically:
- how to be an effective counselor;
- how to practice listening with attention and paraphrasing with empathy; and,
- how to provide nonjudgmental, therapeutic rapport with individuals through role plays and constant reflecting on her world views and values.
Impacting Education in Her Community
Rachel is making an impact on education in her community. In the classroom, she provides character trait lessons on a monthly basis to 2nd to 5th graders. Her implementation of a Bullying Prevention Unit, which aligns with the new English language arts (ELA) standards and American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Mindsets and Behaviors, has led to a decrease of bullying.
In addition, Rachel was named 2017-18 Asheville City Schools school counselor of the year.
Rachel says, “It is a privilege to serve the students, families, and staff at Jones; I am truly so lucky!”
Rachel shared that in the past couple of years she has learned a great deal about the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) study. She has attended training sessions and a screening of the documentary "Paper Tigers," which follows six students over the course of a school year as a new trauma-sensitive program is implemented.
Because of this, her worldview has drastically changed: “It has solidified my belief that everyone wants to feel connected, to feel a part of something. I believe with unconditional positive regard, a safe and nurturing environment, and proper boundaries with a growth mindset, that students can flourish both academically and emotionally.”
"Everyone wants to feel connected, to feel a part of something. I believe with unconditional positive regard, a safe and nurturing environment, and proper boundaries with a growth mindset, that students can flourish both academically and emotionally."
Rachel loves to talk about her experience at Appalachian, offering “her two-cents” to prospective students on things like which classes to take, financial aid/graduate assistantships, where to live, how to juggle childcare, and attending graduate school.
She notes, “One thing that comes to mind is to remember why you got into this field. Why do you want to serve in a school? Why do you want to be a counselor? Keep in mind (and heart) your core reasons for HOW you got here and WHY you want to serve in this capacity. This work is exhausting and rewarding - SELF CARE is essential to being successful!”
Contributed by Rebekah Saylors
Rachel Herrick '13
