The SUHSD Learns blog showcases the learning that happens every day across the Sweetwater Union High School District. Each day a short blog post is posted, written by a Sweetwater community member. The goal is to celebrate learning in all its forms. Here is my contribution in celebration of NATIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELING WEEK 
=) #NSCW17
Philosopher Confucius once said, “The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.”
=) #NSCW17Philosopher Confucius once said, “The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.”
Today is the first day of the 2017 “National School Counseling Week.” The theme for the week is “Helping Students Realize Their Potential.”
Being an alumnus of Sweetwater High, I understand the stigma my students feel about not being “good enough” for highly selective college admissions. They have heard the narrative too many times: kids from National City don’t go to “those types of schools
Building a college-going culture is more than increasing A-G rates and building AP programs. It’s about building each student’s belief in their ability to achieve their college dreams. They have to believe kids like them DO go to schools like Harvard, Stanford, and Yale.
As a teacher turned school counselor, in every interaction I have with students, I am reminded of the power of my words and actions to guide students towards the realization of their potential. I have learned that I must acknowledge a student’s hard work and dedication in making their education a priority. I have to express my admiration a student’s resilience amidst the trauma they have experienced. I have to call attention to a student’s talents that make them unique.
Each student inherently has the will to win, the desire of succeed, and the urge to reach their potential, yet many need us to help them realize their potential.
Lysabeth Luansing-Garcia is a former AVID Tutor from GJH, once ELA teacher at CPH, now school counselor at SUHI where she maintains the website www.SUHIcounseling.com. She is also the co-chair of the SUHSD Counselor Standards Committee. Outside of work, she shares the diversions of life on her lifestyle blog www.GarciaMemories.com.
