EduCurious Interview with Leanne Thrift: Ready for High School

Leanne Thrift, a dedicated freshman high school counselor with 28 years of experience in education, shared her inspiring journey and profound insights on the Educurious show. Initially aspiring to be a veterinarian, Thrift found her true calling in teaching after realizing her love for science and connecting with students. She began her career in 1997 as a science teacher, a role she cherished for a decade.

A pivotal moment in Thrift's career was the opportunity to co-found a charter middle school. Driven by a vision to create a less traditional, community-focused learning environment where both students and staff felt eager to attend, she and her colleagues successfully established a thriving institution. It was during her time as a science teacher there that Thrift recognized her deep passion for building relationships with students and guiding them through their educational paths. This realization led her to pursue a master's degree in school counseling, a role she seamlessly transitioned into at the same middle school.

Several years later, Thrift embraced a new challenge as the freshman counselor at the local charter high school, a move she describes as the best in her educational career. Her extensive experience in middle school made her a natural fit for supporting ninth graders through this significant transition. Thrift noted that moving from a smaller middle school to a large high school with approximately 1,200 students can be intimidating for both students and parents. She actively works to ease this transition, emphasizing the importance of communication and self-advocacy for students. Thrift makes it a point to visit English classes at the beginning of the year to help freshmen navigate everything from academic requirements to logistical questions, ensuring they feel supported and informed.

Thrift is passionate about helping students explore their interests and plan for their futures. She utilizes tools like the Zello program, an inventory-based platform that helps students identify potential career paths aligned with their strengths and interests. She guides freshmen in understanding graduation requirements, the value of community service for college applications and personal growth, and the importance of getting involved in clubs and extracurricular activities to become well-rounded individuals. Thrift also highlighted the school's expanding career academies as an exciting development, offering students focused pathways.

Addressing common anxieties, Thrift identified face-to-face communication and organization as key challenges for many freshmen. She and her team provide strategies and support, even helping students plan conversations with teachers. She also stressed the importance of parental involvement, encouraging parents to stay connected through tools like Schoology and to proactively schedule conferences if concerns arise, while also allowing students to develop independence.

Thrift is a firm believer in the power of relationships in education, stating it's her number one philosophy. She emphasized that a connection with even one caring adult can make a significant difference in a student's life and success. Looking ahead, while she jokingly mentions retirement, her passion for helping students navigate their next steps shines through, with a potential interest in career counseling at the college level. Thrift’s dedication to her students and her community is evident, as is her pride in the collaborative spirit and achievements of her high school.

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