By Ava Grippo – Staff Reporter

Mrs. Scarpa has been a school counselor at Jonathan Law for 16 years. Advocate Staff Reporter Ava Grippo interviewed Scarpa about her career and the past school year. 

Ava Grippo: What made you want to become a school counselor? 

Mrs. Scarpa: After I graduated from college, I was working for the Yale Child Study Center as a research assistant.  It was during that time that I decided that I wanted to go into school counseling so I could be an advocate for students.

AG: What is your favorite part about being a school counselor? 

MS: After I graduated from college, I was working for the Yale Child Study Center as a Research Assistant.  It was during that time that I decided that I wanted to go into school counseling so I could be an advocate for students.

AG:  What do you think you did best this year when it came to helping students?

MS: I think this is hard to answer but I try to create a welcoming space for all students.

AG: Do you think school counseling has improved over the years?

MS: The mindset around school counseling has changed drastically since I was in school or your parents were in school.  Many years ago, people felt like their “guidance counselor” would not be supportive of their long term goals and “guidance counselors” really focused on just post high school planning.  Since then, school counseling has changed to have a focus on mental health in addition to academics and post high school planning. 

AG: What are you most looking forward to as the school year comes to an end? 

MS: I love the end-of-year activities every school year.  After a year of everyone working hard, it is so nice to be able to celebrate students through activities like the honors breakfast, awards night, dances and senior class activities.