Analysis Of Kelley Larson: A Logical Candidate For The Jefferson Award

Kelley Larson: A Logical Candidate for the Jefferson Award

People need good school counselors because many students struggle with mental health issues and with a good counselor they will be able to get the support they need. According to multiplyinggood.org, the Jefferson Award is given to those who put others first and inspire others. Someone who deserves the Jefferson Award is Kelley Larson. She has been a school counselor at Baldwin for five years. She goes out of her way to make groups for students who struggle to get friends, has a tough time at home, and go out of their way to meet with students to make sure they’re happy. Kelley Larson deserves the Jefferson Award because she is not only a good listener, but she is also patient.

According to the article “The Traits That Will Help You Thrive as a Counselor” it states, “Knowing how to sit and really listen to what your client has to say can help to establish trust and understanding between you and the client. The patient will feel relaxed and able to share their thoughts, emotions, and experiences” (“The Traits That Will Help You Thrive as a Counselor,” 2021). This shows that Kelly Larson deserves the Jefferson Award by describing how being a good listener will influence good emotions in the patient. The Jefferson Award is given to those who influence others. Another example of when Kelley Larson was a good listener was when I was in fourth grade. I had gone to her office to talk with her about personal issues and she was quiet and listened to me as I was talking about my problem. This helped me feel better because I was finally able to tell someone about it without interruption. This shows that Kelley Larson is a good listener and qualifies for the Jefferson Award. Furthermore, Samantha Forbs, a former student of Kelley Larson, stated, “ When Mrs. Larson listened to all my family drama during fourth grade, she made me feel safe.” This supports the idea that Kelley Larson deserves the Jefferson Award by showing that she is a good listener to all of her students, and it affects her students in a positive way. Being a good listener will not only affect the

In the article “7 Essential Skills and Qualities of a Great Counsellor” by Amy Launder, the text states, “There’s no question that patience is one of the most important qualities a counselor can have. When working with a client, sometimes several weeks, months, or even years can pass before they start showing signs of significant progress. Being able to stay motivated and offer encouragement and support to your client, even when it seems fruitless, is key” (Launder, n.d.). This shows how being patient can influence a student's behavior. This is another reason why Kelley Larson qualifies for the Jefferson Award. In addition, there was a time when I visited her office to talk with her about a situation that had happened during third grade. She had waited patiently for me to finish telling her what had happened and then had given me a few suggestions to resolve the situation. This assisted me and proved that being patient is key and how Kelley Larson better qualifies for the Jefferson Award. Also, giving a second example from fourth grade, Samantha Forbes said, “When we discussed my family drama, she would hear me out on my opinions, it made me feel very relaxed.” This proves how not only is Kelley Larson a good listener but also a very patient person. This