Many are aware of the multi-layered level of academic support the school offers with generous tutoring hours and online services such as SchoolTown and PowerSchool, as well as many teachers offering their personal emails and even cell phone numbers in the case of needed assistance. Some kind of academic aid is virtually always available. And although it is often overlooked, the same kind of support is offered for personal or emotional issues as well.

“I like to imagine that my kids would come to me with anything because we have a pretty straightforward relationship, just because of artwork and the nature it,” art teacher Brice McCasland said. “You have to give constant feedback about their work which kind of creates a unique bond because artwork is very personal and has a lot of emotion behind it and so whenever you get used to somebody talking about something so personal to you then you tend to let all your other walls down too.”

Although a teacher’s primary concern is the relationship in the classroom, many students often develop a deeper connection with teachers they feel comfortable around. Such connections are often formed with electives teachers where the curriculum is not always as demanding and students have an opportunity to express more about themselves whether in a positive or negative aspect.

“I feel like I never wanted to be one of those teachers that is friends with my kids because I feel like they don’t have good management and they don’t have classroom discipline, but it’s not like that,” McCasland said. “I just see it as a really cool relationship. It’s exactly what I would’ve wanted in a classroom and what I think a classroom should look like in terms of relationship between teachers and students.”

Many teachers on campus have developed similar relationships with students in the past and continue to do so.

“I have a really close relationship with Coach Gauer because I’ve had him for a couple years now and we’re pretty much buds,” junior Cameron Barajas said. “I feel like I could come to Coach Gauer with anything and I could trust him.”

Students often overlook the overwhelming network of support that surrounds them on a day-to-day basis. And unfortunately, one of the most overlooked aspects of all happens to be the most qualified: the school counselors.

“We’ve been trained in all aspects of counseling, not just academics. We’ve had many hours practicing so that we’re not just here to change schedules, we’re here to help support kids and all their physical health, mental health, and emotional health,” Counselor Amanda Breeden said. “We listen to them, help provide support, and we can also help connect them to people that can give them more help or more intense help if it’s needed.”

Some students often have a reluctant mindset regarding counseling due to a fear of being judged.

“I think a lot of times students can be hesitant to come to us,” Assistant Principal Chris Mayfield said. “When they do [come] we try to listen and help them. Sometimes they just want to talk about it and just need to talk through it so we’re happy to help them do that.”

Occasionally all students really need is an outlet, or a place to vent. Fortunately, a counselor is always available and willing to simply listen, or lend a helping hand if needed.

“They are certainly a good ear. They have a perspective, and they have the experience to be able to listen and then also give advice to the students about what direction they might go,” Assistant Principal Bruce Coachman said.

Not only are the counselors thoroughly trained to help guide students; they also genuinely enjoy doing so.

“For most of us that’s why we got in the business,” Counselor Stacey Ruff said. “We really like helping the kids.”