Before becoming a school counselor, Kelly Crocker taught high school English, building relationships with students through classroom conversations and shared learning. As students faced increasingly difficult challenges, she wanted to do more to help.
“I pursued counseling because I wanted to expand my ability to support the students through some of their challenges and tangibly deepen my impact in their lives,” Crocker said.
That commitment brought her to Spring Branch Middle School (SBMS) in fall 2023 as a first-year school counselor. Now in her fourth year, the sixth-grade counselor helps students feel heard, find support and build confidence in their next steps.
At the heart of her work is trust.
“I enjoy being able to be a safe person that can provide a safe place for students to be vulnerable and express their true thoughts and feelings,” Crocker said.
Supporting students also means understanding what may be getting in the way of learning. A student experiencing grief, unmet basic needs or other challenges may struggle to be fully present at school. Crocker works with students, families and campus staff to identify those barriers and connect students with the support they need.
“When barriers are removed or the right support is provided, students have the opportunity to fully engage in their education, which opens innumerable doors for their futures,” Crocker said.
Families may not realize how much a school counselor’s work extends beyond individual conversations with students. Connecting families with community resources is another essential part of the role.
Crocker stays in close communication with teachers, administrators, the school nurse, the Communities In Schools (CIS) representative, and parents and guardians. That might mean sharing a list of therapists with a parent, helping ensure a student has a full meal before a test or connecting a family with assistance obtaining medical insurance.
She encourages families to reach out whenever they notice changes in their child’s behavior, mood, friendships, academic performance or overall well-being.
“They don’t have to wait until there is a ‘problem,’” Crocker said. “When they reach out, they should expect a listening ear, a safe space to share concerns, and a partner to help their child succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.”
The support and friendships at SBMS make SBISD special to Crocker. That same sense of connection is something she hopes to offer every student and family.
“When students work with me, I hope they feel empowered to take ownership of the things they can control and release the weight of the things they can’t control,” Crocker said. “I also want them to carry a sense of hope from our meeting.”
For Crocker, the message to the school community is simple: Her door is open, and support is available.
“For me, being a school counselor means being a safe place for students when the world feels overwhelming, a voice for those who struggle to be heard, and a reminder to Every Child that they matter, they are valued, and they are never alone.”