research essay, a genre analysis of a genre

Interviewed: Antionette Bueno (May 1, 2021)

1. Why did you choose an elementary school counselor as a career?

● My choice for becoming a counselor kind of stumbled upon me. I used to

be a tutor throughout my whole undergrad and sometimes during my

hours of tutoring, or after school kids would come to me to discuss how

their day went or what were they struggling with. I believe these kids

needed someone to talk to, someone who they could trust and I think I’m

perfectly able to do this job.

2. What do you see as the role of a school counselor?

● To help all students reach their full potential in academics, personal

concerns, and careers. This could include core curriculum delivered to all

students to give them a foundation of knowledge, as well as group and

individual counseling to give extra help to students who need it.

3. What aspect in your job or life experience makes you more qualified for this

position than your peers?

● Well, I believe that my relevant experiences have led me to be a pleasant

and wonderful counselor. Last year, I was working at a high school, but

also had the fantastic and rare opportunity to work at the middle school

and elementary school because the schools are very close to each other.

With kids in elementary school, I started lunch groups where kids could be

with each other and respect each other. In middle school, I worked on an

anger management group with kids in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades.

● In high school, I helped a group of juniors and seniors by guiding them

with FAFSA and helping them prepare for the SAT examination. I have

counseled students from all the different economic statuses which include

a wide range of students having various academic achievements and

different social states as well.

4. What is the counselor’s role in student academic achievement?

● School Counselors work with all students to ensure they have met the

standards for academic success

● School Counselors function as academic advisors

● Help students overcome barriers to academic success, including support

for students through transitions (ex. 5th-6th grade & 8th to 9th grade)

5. A teacher comes to you concerning a child with the following behaviors:

aggression, poor peer relations, inattention to learning, will not accept adult

authority or responsibility for behavior. Overall, how would you handle this

situation?

● Talk with student to determine presence of any underlying issues

● Talk with parent/guardian to determine presence of any underlying issues

● Observe student in class, cafeteria, other situations

● Ask students’ other teachers if similar behavior has been observed

elsewhere

6. How would you deal with a parent who is upset with his/her student’s progress in

class?

● Empathize with parent

● Ask parent what he/she has already done to support student’s progress

● Ask about any possible underlying issues for student

7. If you are assigned to a school with many challenges, what are some programs

you would start to help improve the school climate?

● Nothing at first observe school & analyze current data to determine types

of challenges at particular school, then choose or develop program based

on school’s needs

● College preparation curriculum

● PBS–Positive Behavioral Support

● Intentional School Culture

● Parent Teacher Association

8. What in your opinion is the best take towards disciplining students?

● Students are young and they need structure, but it is vital to be patient and

flexible with them all along the way. I always start by explaining the

consequences of any action they commit. Professionally, I never had the

chance to discipline students. The vice-principal or principal of the school

dealt with the disciplining, though I would make sure that it did not involve

anything physical. I would always meet with the students and talk about

what happened to them and how we could move forward. This meant

discussing actions, thought processes, and setting goals or pathways to

make a better decision for the future and keep them from facing trouble

again.

9. How would you deal with a teacher who does not respect you?

● I did experience burnout a bit during my internship when I was trying to

balance work, school, and life. I tried to set some time out for myself and I

find that it's important to spend time with my family. And I feel like

exercising is also really important so sometimes exercise helps me vent

my problems .

10. What is my main goal as a school counselor?

● My main goal is to give students confidence in every area, including

academic, personal/social, and career. I've learned through teaching and

interning, that there's usually a lack of confidence in one of those areas, or

all 3. The greatest gift as a counselor is hearing a student succeed. Even

students that face the biggest obstacles at home, deserve to feel like their

future is wide open and that anything is possible. We do want our students

to be realistic, but we also want to give them hope.

Lilibeth Hernandez

Eng 3060-01

May 1, 2021

Reflection

When I think of the word interview I think of it as a series of questions asked from

one person to another to seek information. I was not given any question, but made to

think of my own. Through reflecting on my previous interview I was able to pull apart

both positives and negatives aspects of my interview allowing myself time to look into

the responses. When I was asking open ended questions, it allowed deeper responses

it was also evident that these questions allowed Mrs. Bueno to feel comfortable

throughout the interview as she was allowed to express her own open thought rather

than having a written script of multiple smaller closed ended questions. The safe

environment was carried through the whole interview. I concluded the interview by

asking her if she had any concerns or further questions she would like to talk about.

This continues the safe environment feel, which I created throughout the whole

interview. At the time I was so focused on eye contact, so it was really easy for myself to

just ask the questions and get lost in the answer.