Ms. Rodriguez is the 6th grade guidance counselor at Iselin Middle School, and she helps students all year round get through tough times.
Panther Press: How’s your day going?
Rodriguez: My day is going well thank you.
Panther Press: Have you always wanted to be a guidance counselor?
Rodriguez: Actually I did, well first I thought I wanted to be a teacher when I was young, but then when I got to high school I realized that I really liked helping people and wanted to help students individually, and on a smaller scale. As a teacher, you’re in a classroom with, like, 30 kids. So, yes, I’ve known for a long time since high school I wanted to be one.
Panther Press: So, when did you start working at IMS?
Rodriguez: Well it’s funny because when you go to graduate school you have to get some experience in the field, and so I actually did an internship here. Technically I was in school but I took my internship here from 2021 to 2022. Then, I officially became an employee here in September of 2022.
Panther Press: How do you feel when talking to students that struggle with problems at home or even at school?
Rodriguez: I know that some people can be emotionally tough because you know at the end of the day I am an adult and I’m human. Seeing students grow and going through hard things is tough, but I still try to help students in the best way I can. So while it can be very difficult emotionally, I feel that I can still try my best to help them in any way I can.
Panther Press: What are some things you do to help kids feel more comfortable if they don’t want to open up?
Rodriguez: Well that does happen sometimes, and I don’t like to push students so if they don’t feel comfortable talking to me, that’s ok. But I like for them to know at least that this is a space that I am a person that they can come to if they want to. Sometimes that helps and sometimes students feel a little more comfortable, and they are open to share. Some take that and say ok, and they just, you know, go back to class, but at least I like to let them know that I’m not going to pressure them to talk about things that maybe they don’t feel comfortable with, but knowing that they have someone to talk with.
Panther Press: Why do you think kids come to you, and not other people?
Rodriguez: Sometimes I think maybe they feel more comfortable coming to the guidance counselor because they know that we aren’t grading them on their academics. We don’t put in grades and we’re not giving out discipline like if they get in trouble for something. We are here to help them, like, if Mr. Sealander, or Mrs.Cillento are the ones who say, ok you did this, so you’re getting detention, or you’re getting whatever. I’m here to kind of be that outside person who is there. I don’t give out discipline, I am not responsible for their grades, so I think that might help a little too, and it’s kind of hard to talk to somebody, like a teacher, when there are kids around, then as opposed to here, where it’s just me.
Panther Press: Why do you think students at IMS trust you?
Rodriguez: I don’t know, you know. I don’t know the answer to that actually, I hope that they feel comfortable coming to me, and [some things can stay confidential]. There are some things that I do have to call home about, but if they want to talk about how they’re feeling, or something that’s going on with friends, I think that I’m not going to go around telling their teachers and all, and other students, they can kind of see me and vent to me, and I hope that’s why.
Panther Press: What are the most frequent situations that students come to talk to you about?
Rodriguez: I would say, I think friends and conflicts with friends, are definitely a big one. I would say grades too, also making sure missing assignments are in is a big one, too. If people are feeling anxious or sad, I get a lot of those students, too. I think those are the three main types though.
Panther Press: Do you have anything to add?
Rodriguez: No not really.
