An academic counselor is on a mission to improve student lives and their perspectives on Marist High School. Counselor Curtis Jones primarily works with freshmen and enforces various strategies to help them feel more confident. 

“I felt like this job was for me. I think I’m supposed to be here,”  says Jones.. 

Jones says he was inspired to pursue this career at a young age.

“When I was a teenager, I spoke to a group of people my age, and I felt a special spark. I felt as if I needed to do this a lot more, and that’s what I did,” says Jones. 

Teenagers need counselors to direct and guide them throughout the school year, sometimes with things at home or academic issues. When Jones sees students struggling, he immediately gets to work and finds it very rewarding.

“My  job is amazing. There’s nowhere I would rather be,” says Jones. 

He takes his job very seriously. Not only does Jones have open ears and an open heart, he always has an open office for students to come to. 

 “It’s also hard being a counselor because when people are coming to you and telling you things, you can’t tell anyone else, but that’s also hard because sometimes I hear things that are kinda harsh,” says Jones. 

He listens to all of his students, and makes sure to give them advice which they will be able to use as they grow into the person that they will soon become.

Jones also said the conversations don’t always have to be about things students are struggling with, they could be about school or accomplishments.

“People take their school counselors for granted, but see the conversations don’t always have to be about school or bad things,” says Jones.