This year, John Carroll introduced two new college counselors: Darrion Siler and Courtney Bradley.

Mr. Siler is the baseball coach and the former history and student seminar teacher for JC.

He chose to change departments because he has always been interested in counseling, especially in college counseling.

Mr. Siler loves one-on-one time with the students without the stress of handling assignments and homework. Even though he misses teaching history, this department is a space where he can make a tremendous impact and help students with their seeking path.

Mr. Siler considers himself a “seeker” with his students. The college counselors always evaluate their best practices and learn how to serve their students best.

The counseling department strives to continue to learn and grow with the addition their new members.

This is Mrs. Bradley’s first year at JC. She has a myriad of experience working in education for over six years. She served as a long-term substitute teacher for Baltimore County Public Schools and has worked in the Admissions Department at both UMBC and Notre Dame of Maryland University.

Mrs. Bradley firmly believes in the transformative power of higher education and has a true passion for helping students find the school that best fits them best. She also loves the excitement of the college search process. She hopes to help this new group of students prepare for and succeed in their future endeavors.

College Counselor Kelly Smith is in her tenth year at JC. Before coming to JC, she worked in college admissions at UMBC and Towson. She is passionate about helping students explore, plan, and prepare for the next step of their journeys after high school.

One reason why JC hired an extra counselor beyond the two they have had in the past is that College Counseling is taking over scheduling.   Additionally, with a steady increase in enrollment, Student Services wanted to mirror the school counseling team so they could continue to give the same level of support to all of their students surrounding course selection and college and career counseling.

The college counselors will be in charge of the class schedules because they will be able to make sure students are taking the suitable courses to prepare them for their goals after JC.

Mrs. Smith said, “It will also allow us to get to know the students starting freshman year.”

The schedule changes also help the school counselors focus on the students and their social and emotional issues.

It also makes structural and logical sense when they need help looking at their high school path beyond. They need classes for graduation, NCAA, and state of Maryland requirements. College counselors are helpful when finding a college and the requirements.