Susanne Parrotte has been a school counselor for 12 years. Throughout her years of being a counselor, she has always enjoyed helping students reach their goals.

Why did you first want to become a school counselor?

The reason I wanted to become a student counselor was because of the fact that I enjoy working with students. I actually didn’t become a counselor until much later in life. My own children were in middle school and high school when I started being a counselor.

What are the highlights of the job? 

I think the highlights of the job are working with the students. I enjoy that because every day is different. Every day is a challenge, but a positive challenge, and I enjoy working with the students. I think my favorite time of the school year is what we’re going to be doing here in the next week or two, which is the academic advising time frame. It is where we sit down with the students, one on one, and plan out their schedules for the following year, and sometimes up until they graduate. I like that because I get to meet with the students, one on one.

How does it feel when you work with a student and you help them accomplish their goal?

I’m very proud of the student, very, very proud. It’s a good feeling. I’m happy about it, but more than anything I’m proud of the student. It takes work to get towards your goal and these students were able to do it, both with my help and as well as the help of everyone here at South Lakes High School. It’s a group effort.

What is it like being a school counselor here at South Lakes?

Here at South Lakes it’s very positive. I’ve been here at South Lakes for 11 years officially, and one year unofficially, so that’s 12 years. The one year unofficially I started here as an intern, and then I was also a long term sub, and then I was hired full time. I like it at South Lakes. I’ve watched this school grow.

 What are some of your hobbies and interests?

During the summer months, my husband and I travel all around the United States and we go to different National Parks. We hike, ride our bikes, and do a lot of running races across the United States. My husband’s a 50 Stater, which means that he has run a race in every state. We have been to almost every state in the union except Alaska. Hopefully, we are going to head there this summer.