Mr. Schwartz Interview

By Erica Rodriguez​

Star Status recently interviewed Nottingham Guidance Counselor Mr. Jon Schwartz about the pandemic and the different challenges that relate to his job as a Guidance Counselor.

1- What  was your life experience during COVID? 
It was initially a shock, and I worried about the people around me, but before long I got used to working from home.

2- How did your life change during the pandemic? 
Working from home for part of the pandemic was challenging. When the gym closed I got out of shape and never went back.  :(

3- Why do you like being a guidance counselor? 
I like helping students figure out what they want to do with their lives!

4- How can or do you communicate perfectly with other students? 
I THINK I communicate well with students. Even though I’m getting older, I think I still relate pretty well to adolescents. I send a lot of emails, and not all students respond, which is frustrating.

5- How and why did you choose to be a guidance counselor at this school? 
I decided to be a school counselor so I could help people, and I picked Nottingham because of the diversity of students, especially the Spanish-speaking population.

6- What are your perspectives as a guidance counselor? 
It depends on the student I’m helping. Some are driven and already know what they want to do with their lives, others need more direction. For the driven students I just act as a guide, answering their few questions about college and life. For other students, I have to be more involved, communicate with their parents and guardians more. I try to be open and approachable. I take a “person-centered” approach to counseling but include some behavioral therapy methods when needed.

7- Did becoming a guidance counselor make your life easier or harder? 
Easier. My parents didn’t go to college and I grew up poor, so after struggling through six years of college, I was very happy to have a good job that I enjoy!

8- Who inspired you to be in this position of being a guidance counselor?  
My mom became a classroom assistant/paraprofessional when I was a kid, and I saw the joy that helping kids brought her.