This week is National Counselor Week, and it's a great opportunity for us to recognize our wonderful Windermere Prep Guidance and College Planning Counselors. Whenever I give tours to prospective families, counselors, and other visitors and we pass through the counseling office, I always say the same thing, "This is where the magic happens." Every time and it is always true.
Debra Santostefano leads the team of five who include Pam Catron, Tiffany Elliott, Nancy Gerena, and Ruth Lahnston. Throughout the course of the year, they meet with families to discuss four-year plans, work with students to develop schedules, listen to their concerns, and build confidence with them, support teachers to ensure they are aware of what is happening in the lives of their students and work with administration to ensure that the decisions we are making have the voice of all constituents. In addition to all of that, they specialize in areas for NCAA for our student-athletes, scholarship offerings, and college relationships so that they are better able to advocate for our students. They also plan wellness activities and college planning during Laker Learning Time and deliver evening programs for parents. To find out more about how our counselors serve the community, click here.
Overall, this team thrives on relationships that they make with everyone on the campus - students, parents, faculty, administration, and college representatives. They truly work tirelessly to give their best and be responsive to the needs of everyone. If you have a chance, send a note of appreciation for all that this fabulous team does to support our school. We are fortunate to have all of them on our Laker team! ~ Dr. Leslie Williams, High School Director