293. Fostering a Positive School Climate with Delana Carter

Welcome back to another episode of School Counseling Simplified. Today I am interviewing Delana, a school counselor and IMPACT member. I left our conversation feeling inspired and refreshed by her passion, her heart for students, and her commitment to creating a supportive and connected school climate.

Delana lives with her husband Wesley and their three daughters, Salem, Caroline, and Dare, along with their two cats. She is a graduate of Calvary Christian School in King, North Carolina, where she now serves. After high school, she attended community college for two years before transferring to Lees-McRae College, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education. She began her career teaching fourth grade in a rural public school. While teaching, she earned her master’s degree in Language and Literacy from Salem College, the oldest all girls college in North Carolina.

During this time, she also taught basic skills courses at a local community college in the evenings. After marrying her husband in 2008 and starting a family, she transitioned fully into the community college setting, where she worked for 15 years. One of her most meaningful roles there was in the adult high school program, where students completed online coursework to earn a high school diploma. 

In 2022, she felt called to support high school students at Calvary Christian School and shared her vision with her pastor. She went on to create the Student Success program, which has continued to grow over the past four years. Her initial goal was to improve school climate, support teacher appreciation, and help students prepare for life after high school, whether through trades or college. She later became a Youth Mental Health Coach to better support the personal needs of her students. This year, she also stepped into the role of Elementary Supervisor. In addition to her professional work, she coaches middle school girls basketball, and her family stays busy supporting their daughters’ involvement in volleyball, basketball, and softball. Much of their life is centered around their family and the school community they love.

What do you love about school counseling?

One of Delana’s favorite parts of school counseling is being a trusted adult that students can connect with. She works intentionally to make her office a safe and welcoming space. She uses connection cards as a way to build relationships with students, giving them an opportunity to share both positive moments and times when they need emotional support.

What does school climate mean to you?

Delana shares that school climate is not just students. It includes students, faculty, and When discussing school climate, Delana emphasizes that it is not just about students. It includes students, faculty, and families. Her goal is for every student to find at least one moment in their day that brings them joy. She believes that a strong school climate begins with supporting families. When families feel supported and trust that the school has their child’s best interests at heart, they are more likely to stay engaged. Similarly, when teachers feel valued and supported in their work environment, they are better able to show up for their students. Every role within the school community contributes to the overall climate.

What is a day in the life for you?

Delana begins her day around 7:45 in the morning with car line, which she sees as an important opportunity to connect with students right away. She then spends the first hour of her morning visiting elementary classrooms to connect with teachers and offer support, whether that means providing supplies, encouragement, or simply being present. 

Throughout the day, she schedules a variety of lessons, including character education, digital citizenship for middle school students, and career exploration for eighth graders. She also teaches personal finance lessons to tenth graders and college and FAFSA preparation for eleventh and twelfth graders, helping students plan for their futures after graduation.

What advice do you have for new counselors?

For new counselors, Delana encourages adaptability and a willingness to keep learning, whether through reading, collaborating with others, or gaining new experiences. She emphasizes the importance of being open, transparent, and kind when communicating with parents, as honesty helps build trust. 

She also recommends the book The Five Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace as a valuable resource for building positive relationships within a school community.

 

Resources Mentioned:

• Join IMPACT

• Book - The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace

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More About School Counseling Simplified:

School Counseling Simplified is a podcast offering easy to implement strategies for busy school counselors. The host, Rachel Davis from Bright Futures Counseling, shares tips and tricks she has learned from her years of experience as a school counselor both in the US and at an international school in Costa Rica.

You can listen to School Counseling Simplified on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more!