Melissa True
Director of Guidance and Counseling
Edgewood ISD
San Antonio, TX USA
“We all have to choose careers that we LOVE, regardless of the pay scale.”
Milestones
My road in life has been direct.
I was really good in math in high school—it was my best subject. So I decided that I wanted to be an accountant. I first entered college as an Accounting major.
When I failed my accounting classes, I realized that I was really struggling and I did not enjoy my chosen profession. I took an aptitude test at my college which told me that I should serve others.
I was given my top two options in my aptitude test: Education and Gerontology (working with the elderly). I chose to go into Education as an Elementary Education major with math emphasis.
I earned my college degree in Elementary Education and teaching certificate in Texas and began teaching. I taught in several districts around the state and with all kinds of students.
I found myself giving other teachers advice and in leadership roles often, and realized I enjoyed helping other teachers grow. I went back to school for my Masters in Education to be a principal.
It took me five tries, five rounds of interviewing with 4 rejections, to land my first principal job. I was a principal at elementary school and loved it, but had to move due to my husband's job.
After 7 years of being a principal in the elementary grades, I was asked to step up to high school. I worked with students who struggled emotionally, academically, and socially. I found my calling..
Now I am a counseling director, and I get to apply all of my experience working with staff and struggling students to create an environment that is supportive and focused on their well-being.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Sanford-Fritch High School
Sanford-Fritch High School
Career
Director of Guidance and Counseling
I lead the social-emotional development of our student and staff through curricula, personnel, resources, and wellness.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Education
Non-Profit Organizations
Helping People
Day to Day
-Writing social-emotional learning lessons for our SEL curriculum in grades K-12 each week. -Providing professional development to other educators -Writing the staff wellness newsletter each week -Leading strategic planning meetings -Working with community partners to provide services to students and their families -Researching best practices in education and obtaining resources for educators -Lead self-care sessions for educators, including mindfulness practices and reflection activities
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for middle school students
First, get your education. Take classes in high school about teaching and learning, and get as much mentoring and interning experience as you can. Go to college to become a teacher, and then teach in as many grades and subjects as you can. I recommend that all teachers have experience teaching in high-poverty areas because teachers have to be more creative and monitor progress more closely to ensure they are growing in their skills. Build relationships with your students—listen to them.
Recommended Education
My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Society in General:
"I was discouraged from teaching because it does not earn a high salary. I was encouraged to pursue accounting, which I absolutely hated—I enjoyed working with people more."
Challenges I Overcame
Financial
