School Highlight: Adjustment Counselor Strives to Make School Comfortable for Students

Alessandra Scorzella is no stranger to Winthrop. After growing up in the town and attending Win-throp Public Schools from kindergarten through 12th grade, she found herself back in the district, working as an Adjustment Counselor at the Gorman Fort Banks School. By the time she graduated Winthrop High School, Scorzella knew that she wanted to work in a helping profession, and she attended Boston College where she earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology with a concentration in Clinical Psychology. She then moved onto graduate school for two more years in Cambridge at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

How did you become interested in becoming a School Adjustment Counselor?

I always knew that I wanted to be involved in a helping profession, but I never really knew which one growing up. After taking AP Psychology in high school with Mr. Dixon, I realized that I loved the subject of psychology and wanted to help others, specifically relating to mental health and development. I juggled with the idea of being a psychiatrist, psychologist, and I eventually was drawn to the role of a school counselor because I felt that it was a unique role in the sense that a school counselor is available for all students and can help them find resources both in and outside of school.

Did anyone inspire you to choose this path?

From a young age, I was drawn to and comfortable with the school environment, probably because my mom has worked in the schools for as long as I can remember. I also understand that school can be a huge source of stress for some students, therefore through my role I want to make school as comfortable as possible for students who are having a difficult time.

What do you love most about your position?

My position is very unique because I service all students in the school in some way. Although I have a specific caseload of students for counseling, I am also in classrooms teaching the SMART plan (our behavioral expectations) and constantly walking around the school. In the mornings, you can find me greeting students in the front lobby, and in the afternoon,  I’m floating around doing various things such as bringing students to the bus. I feel grateful because this job has allowed me to get to know and work with so many students.

What do you love about teaching in Winthrop?

I really love that I am working in the same school system where I grew up and learned so much from. The students get a kick out of hearing that I was a student at the Fort Banks once too, espe-cially those who have the same teacher I had for first grade, Mrs. English. I also find it awesome that some of my coworkers were my teachers back when I was in school.

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