Emerson High School welcomes a new counselor, Jami Manley. Manley plans to build a positive relationship with all the students at Emerson High School. She takes the chance to guide students in a one-on-one way and is accessible to students who need her.
Manley is joining Emerson High School with eight years of experience. Previously she was a counselor at Allen High School. She was a counselor at Griffin Middle School in Frisco ISD as well. Manley attended two universities one for her undergraduate degree and the other to pursue counseling.
“I went to Harding University for my undergraduate and then when I decided to pursue counseling I went to Dallas Baptist University to get my masters in school counseling,” Manley said.
Before pursuing her counseling career, Manley was a history teacher.
“I was also a history teacher for six or seven years after teaching. I decided at San Antonio to take part in the mentorship program,” Manley said. “I was a mentor for at-risk for male students who were socio-economic disadvantaged.”
So far, Manley has been enjoying her experience at Emerson High School. Her accessibility to students is crucial for her.
“I would say I enjoy the access to students that we have here at Emerson and there are a lot more opportunities to interact with students,” Manley said. I’m coming from a 5,600 kids campus to about 1,800 kids,” Manley said.
Manley is a very dedicated counselor; she believes that a counselor in school is very helpful when it comes to meeting a student’s needs.
Manley said, “I think it’s important we create a welcoming environment, so students feel safer and supported. Particularly, when kids have access to their counselors, they are less likely to have a triggering moment versus being able to know there’s a caring adult on campus to whom they can come and talk. I think there’s data out there that supports the fact that school violence drops when students feel safe and supported. In my opinion, that’s the ultimate goal of the counseling team.”
Manley’s goal is to meet all her students by the end of the year. She believes that student- counselor engagement is really important. Students interacting with their counselor is a great way for students to obtain any kind of support or guidance.“My goal is to meet one-on-one with my students before the end of the school year. Visibility and presence are crucial for a counselor so the student can approach their counselor and help with relationship building,” Manley said. “I am conducting minute meetings with all of my students where I meet my students and ask them how they are doing or provide any help they require. Right now, I am starting with seniors because seniors are in the process of post-secondary planning and goal-setting.”
Manley advises the students at Emerson to develop resiliency.
“I talk to a lot of college advisors every year about employment opportunities and all of them say kids lack soft skills,” Manley said. “The most important thing we can focus on for high school soon, specifically, bounce-back or grit. Additionally, coping skills that are lifelong.”
Manley’s vision for the counseling department is about visibility and accessibility. This vision will allow the Mavericks to be bold, be first, and be curious.
“As long as we keep on doing what we are doing and making sure that the vision looks like accessibility and visibility, then we are on the right path,” Manley said.