Tracye Martin
High School Counselor
Troup ISD
Milestones
My road in life took a while to figure out.
I graduated in a class of 49 and then went off to Texas A&M where my first class of the day had 100 students. What a culture shock.
I easily graduated at the top of my high school class and learned quickly at A&M I did not have study skills.
I graduated in 4.5 years with a degree in zoology...what job can you get with a degree in zoology? I was married and moved with my husband to Dallas.
I applied for a few jobs and was hired by UT Southwestern Medical School in the Department of Molecular Genetics. I worked for Nobel Laureates. It was awesome.
My family was growing and we wanted to bring our children up in a small town so we moved to East TX. I transferred to UT Health Science Center and drove 45 minutes to work which was too far from home.
I applied for a teaching position in science and earned credentials while on a deficiency plan.
I taught for about 10 years and moved to the counseling job. I had to earn a Master's degree for the job. Not easy with 4 young children.
Here I am! 23 years in education. I truly believe I am where I need to be.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Nocona High School
Nocona High School
Career
High School Counselor
I provide guidance high school students in a multitude of areas!
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Education
Numbers
Teaching / Mentoring
Day to Day
My days never look the same. I am the only counselor for a small high school so I am responsible for testing, scheduling, college planning, data tracking and much, much more. I have tutored students, planned lessons, and counseled troubled souls. Once a student told me I was his mom at school and I believe that is a great description of my job. I check grades and sometimes must devise a plan to get my students back on the academic wagon in order for them to graduate.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for everyone
If you plan to work in education visit with the school principal while student teaching. Also, when student teaching ask your mentor teacher to critique and provide detailed feedback. Pay attention and model your style of teaching with someone you view as successful who has a style you could live with. Most importantly, be confident.
Recommended Education
My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Myself:
"I went to a large university for my undergraduate degree and felt the advisement I received was lacking. I chose a degree with very limited knowledge of what it was all about. This limited my career choices drastically."
Challenges I Overcame
First-Generation College Student
