Guiding Students with Compassion and Tech Insights

How does a dedicated counselor transform the lives of students in ways that often go unseen? Join us as we spotlight Genese Spencer from Terrebonne Parish, whose heartfelt commitment to education reveals the profound impact counselors can have. Genese shares a touching personal story about a student who became the first male in his family to graduate, highlighting the pivotal role counselors play in shaping futures and breaking generational barriers. Her stories and insights shed light on the unseen yet essential work counselors do, ensuring that each student has the support they need to succeed.

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Transcript

Devin Pintozzi 0:00

Welcome to Spotlight for Success. I am Devin Pintozzi, your host here at LACUE with Janice Spencer from Terrebonne Parish.

Genese Spencer 0:12

Thank you, Dev.

Devin Pintozzi 0:13

All right. So I understand you're a counselor, is that right? Yes, okay. And what brings you to LACUE?

Genese Spencer 0:21

Just the opportunity to really learn more about technology in our schools and how to help support students with technology in the classrooms and just all around.

Devin Pintozzi 0:31

Oh, that's wonderful. And what brought you initially to get into education as a counselor?

Genese Spencer 0:39

So as a counselor, just family background, seeing the benefit that counselors had to my family personally, and then just the role that counselors play in general. They kind of are in the background but they really are MVPs as well, helping support students get to the next steps.

Devin Pintozzi 0:56

That's great. Do you have any special memories that you can share about helping a student in your capacity as a counselor?

Genese Spencer 1:05

Yes, every day I'm always seeing something that keeps me moving forward. Last year was my first year being the senior counselor, so that one was very monumental. The night of graduation, one of the students kind of lagged behind, and that particular student was one that I had to call personally to get out of the bed just to come to school, and so we had some challenges with that. And after graduation they stayed behind and said hey, I just want to tell you this, thank you for never giving up on me, because I am the first person or male to graduate in my family. So it essentially changed the generational trajectory for his whole family. So it was very eye-opening and moving and touching for me.

Devin Pintozzi 1:50

Oh, my goodness, that is wonderful. To make a difference in an individual's life like that, that's great. And so here you are at LACUE . Have you gotten anything out of a certain session that you enjoyed? Have you gotten anything out of a certain session that you enjoyed.

Genese Spencer 2:05

Yeah, both so far the sessions I've gone to have really spoke. I was scribbling and writing around the whole time. So more recently, the one about safety in our schools and how, again as a counselor capacity, we can work on some social, emotional as a component. So that was interesting and reassuring to what I do already to know that that's something that's needed.

Devin Pintozzi 2:30

Oh, that's great Genese, and is there anything you'd like to share with the LACUE community here at the conference?

Genese Spencer 2:38

Most definitely its my first time coming here so its eye opening and refreshing just to see that you guys are offering abilities and opportunities for us in education to learn and meet vendors and um just get more information out there to support us in the school systems as well as our students.

Devin Pintozzi 3:03

you thank so much, and that's Janice, Genese Terrebonne Parish. Thank you so much for participating with us today.<span

Devin Pintozzi 3:07

Thanks a bunch Dev. Good day you as well.