Wilfredo Pena
Graduate Student, Counselor Education
Becoming a school counselor wasn鈥檛 something Wilfredo Pena originally set out to do.
After earning his bachelor鈥檚 degree in special education from St. Petersburg College, Pena鈥檚 plan to continue his studies and work as a school administrator shifted when one of his mentors encouraged him to consider a career in counselor education.
鈥淲hen I spoke to my supervising professor at the time, she told me, 鈥榊ou鈥檙e such a people person. Students like you and they respond to you well鈥 think you鈥檇 be a good school counselor,鈥� Pena said. 鈥淪o, I started to look into it, and I realized that I wanted to help students at a more personal level.鈥�
In 2019, Pena enrolled at the 91社区 (USF) to pursue a Master of Arts (MA) in Counselor Education. During the program鈥檚 orientation, Pena witnessed a genuine passion among his professors who motivated his interest in counseling and reaffirmed his change in career.
Cynthia Topdemir, PhD, a College of Education instructor with 14 years of counseling experience in the Pasco County School District, says there鈥檚 one message that she and the rest of the program鈥檚 faculty emphasize to students at the start of their academic journeys.
鈥淲e always tell our students at orientation to realize that when they鈥檙e in the field in this program, they won鈥檛 just be working with kids who need a schedule change or kids who just need one-time support,鈥� Topdemir said. 鈥淪tudents in schools are dealing with serious, mental health issues. The reality is, school counselors are doing suicide and threat assessments on a regular basis.鈥�
School counselors support students鈥� social and emotional learning, their academic progress and career development 鈥� areas that are often left unexplored in the classroom setting. These high-level areas are why all school counselors to earn a master鈥檚 degree that includes a supervised internship with more than 600 hours of experience working with students and families.
From the moment he began his studies at USF, Pena observed and networked with practicing professionals, an experience that he says, 鈥渙pened his eyes鈥� to the various responsibilities they juggle throughout the day.
This fall, during his practicum at Madeira Beach Fundamental K-8 School, Pena took on duties such as making classroom observations, participating in parent meetings and advocating for students who need specialized learning plans, such as 504 or individualized education plans (IEP鈥檚). With the support of his supervising counselor, Pena said he鈥檚 also organized one-on-one mentoring sessions with at least nine students each week.
鈥淚鈥檝e mostly seen sixth graders come in with bad grades because they鈥檙e not used to the system in (middle school) that holds them more accountable with their academics,鈥� Pena said. 鈥淭his year, I had a student who went from having 3 F鈥檚 to having an A, B and C, so having that mentor in school can really make a huge difference.鈥�
While interactions with students have been mostly positive, one student, Pena said, pushed him to self-analyze his approach and share with his peers about how they could improve their counseling sessions.
鈥淚鈥檝e had encounters with one student who sometimes gives me an inch of conversation but then he goes back two inches,鈥� Pena said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 definitely a struggle, but my classmates and I have learned the importance of togetherness. We listen to each other鈥檚 session tapes and it鈥檚 not just one person giving feedback. It鈥檚 all of us working cohesively.鈥�
Counseling during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has also presented its challenges, Pena said. Though his presence on his school鈥檚 campus has remained consistent, staff meetings are held virtually. Most students, whether they鈥檙e learning online or in-person, are struggling with the shifts they鈥檝e had to make this school year.
When reflecting on how schools have had to adapt during the pandemic, Topdemir said there are a few areas where students are being impacted.
鈥淐OVID-19 has affected e-school learners drastically,鈥� Dr. Topdemir said. 鈥淭here are fewer academic supports and less access to teachers and counselors. School closures and the pandemic in general has also affected students鈥� mental health.鈥�
Given these circumstances, Pena created new supports for his students, such as a counseling group called 鈥淭he Lunch Bunch,鈥� which welcomes students during their lunch hour to connect with other students and participate in various activities. He also worked alongside his supervising counselor to launch a 鈥淔undamental Success鈥� program for students in need of an academic push.
Throughout his practicum experience and his time at USF, Pena said he鈥檚 never doubted his career choice. With plans to graduate in 2021, he鈥檚 working on completing the state of 91社区鈥檚 certification requirements for school counselors and building his confidence as a counselor through his final internship.
His advice for anyone who wants to pursue counseling as a career is to be the kind of person that today鈥檚 students need 鈥� someone who is prepared to ensure their success, in every facet of the word.
鈥淵ou have to be flexible. You have to be present and you have to genuinely want to help people,鈥� Pena said. 鈥淪chools are not just a place for learn about math and science, it鈥檚 also a place to grow psychologically. Students need that someone who鈥檚 looking out for their mental health needs.鈥�
The Master of Arts in Counselor Education prepares future school counselors for employment in elementary, middle, and high schools. The program is designed to produce educationally-oriented counselors with broadly-based, multidisciplinary backgrounds.