Communications Channels

Mrs. Pilon is a school counselor serving students with last names P-Z at Laguna Beach High School. Counselors are available to offer direction as students plan their academic futures. Starting in ninth grade, students work with their counselors to create a four-year academic plan that will lead to a career or the university or college of the student's choice. Each year, the counselors help students continue to achieve their short-term goals to support them in meeting their long-term aspirations. Counselors also provide confidential and supportive counseling and intervention to foster independence and help students face emotional challenges. Let's dive right into our Q & A with Mrs. Pilon! 

1. What is a mantra that you want all students to have for themselves? 
   Never compare yourself to anyone else, because there is no one out there who is authentically just like you.
    
2. What is something you can never over-invest in? 
   You can never over-invest in love. 
    
3. What is your favorite song of all time? 
   "I Can Only Imagine" by Mercy Me
    
4. What is your go-to breakfast? 
   Ezekiel bread and almond butter
    
5. What are you currently excited about in life right now? 
   I am currently excited about watching my daughter dance! 
    
6. What do you want to be remembered for? 
   I want to be remembered for loving my children unconditionally.
    
7. Who would you say was your role model growing up? Why?
   My role model growing up was my sister because she believed in me and pushed me to challenge msyelf regardless of the circumstances. 
    
8. How do you unwind? 
   I unwind by working out.
    
9. If you could go back and tell your 13-year-old self one thing, what would it be? 
   Don't stress, love yourself just the way you are, it all works out in the end.
    
10. If you had a superpower, what would it be? 
    If I had a superpower, it would be the ability to heal.
     
11. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? 
    Life is not a race, it's a journey.  Slow down and enjoy the ride because life happens when you are busy making plans.

In her role as school psychologist at Top of the World Elementary, Mrs. Jones consults with teachers, staff, and parents to evaluate possible learning disabilities in students. She also supports staff to develop learning plans for students who need additional assistance to be successful in school. Here's a little more about her!

1. What is something you can never over-invest in? 
   A sense of humor.
    
2. What is your favorite song of all time? 
   "Fireworks" by Katy Perry
    
3. What are you currently excited about in life right now? 
   Seeing kids' faces in person again!
    
4. What’s your favorite book? 
   Have You Filled a Bucket Today? A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids by Carol McCloud
    
5. What do you want to be remembered for? 
   Helping unique humans achieve goals they didn't imagine!
    
6. If you had a superpower, what would it be? 
   To go back in time and tell myself and others to enjoy small moments more.
    
7. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? 
   "You can't care more about a problem than the person who owns it." I find this helpful because I can internalize others' setbacks as my own and this advice helps me move past that thinking and towards supporting others to dig deep and work towards their own solutions.

School Counselor Jolene Hamilton is currently supporting the students and families at Top of the World Elementary. As a school counselor, Mrs. Hamilton is trained to help students with three domain areas: personal/social needs, academic concerns, and career planning. Here's what we learned about her in our Q & A. 

1. What is something you can never over-invest in? 
   Other people!
    
2. What are you currently excited about in life right now? 
   Seeing my toddler twin boys learn new things - they are just starting to talk! 
    
3. What’s your favorite book? 
   The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
    
4. What do you want to be remembered for? 
   Being helpful, kind, and encouraging! 
    
5. Who would you say was your role model growing up? Why?
   My big sister. She's always been so considerate and responsible. When my parents divorced, she was protective over me, sometimes acting in a parental role when one parent wasn't around. We now live in houses next door to each other! 
   
6. How do you unwind?
   I'm the queen of taking naps! 
    
7. If you could go back and tell your 13-year-old self one thing, what would it be? 
   Friends, popularity, and looks will change... pay more attention to growing your character! 
    
8. If you had a superpower, what would it be? 
   Flying! I still have flying dreams... 
    
9. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? 
   Don't take anything personally. (I'm a pretty sensitive person!)

In recognition of the importance of the role that social-emotional learning plays in the lives of our students, we are dedicating some time to getting to know the staff that support the social-emotional health and wellbeing of LBUSD students. Luisa Mossa is a school psychologist currently serving the school community at Thurston Middle School. 

1. What is a mantra that you want all students to have for themselves? 
   "I can do this!"
    
2. What is something you can never over-invest in? 
   Time with family. 
    
3. What is your favorite song of all time? 
   "Amazing Grace"
    
4. What is your go-to breakfast? 
   Oatmeal with berries or a banana
    
5. What are you currently excited about in life right now? 
   Decorating my new home and seeing my grandkids in October.
    
6. What’s your favorite book? 
   The Old Man and the Sea
    
7. What do you want to be remembered for? 
   How I helped students feel better about themselves and got them the supports they needed to be successful.
    
8. Who would you say was your role model growing up? Why?
   My best friend Kelly. She was super social while I was shy.  She was my only friend but that's all I needed because she knew everyone.  She was super determined and like MacGyver (a show from the '80s); she could figure anything out and make things happen. If she said she was going to do something she would.  
    
9. How do you unwind? 
   I go on a hike, run, or mountain bike ride.
    
10. If you could go back and tell your 13-year-old self one thing, what would it be? 
    Read the good book and follow the right path, it's as simple as that. It sure makes life a lot easier.
     
11. If you had a superpower, what would it be? 
    I always loved Aquaman and how he could communicate with sea life. I would love to communicate with animals.
     
12. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? 
    Be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.