“Whatever you are, be a good one.” This is a quote by Abraham Lincoln that Andrea Kelsey, the new guidance counselor, lives by. Kelsey is the junior counselor and also the freshmen counselor for those whose last names start with A-G. Coming from only an hour away in Carlinville, Kelsey feels like Jacksonville is home as well and that she has blended in with the community.
Kelsey attended Carlinville High School; she then attended Illinois College here in Jacksonville, Illinois. There, she majored in history and education and also received her secondary teaching certificate. This was her original major; she never switched throughout her college career. Kelsey states, “I have always known that I wanted to work in a school in some capacity.” After IC, Kelsey went to U of I and received her masters majoring in Human Development Counseling, while focusing on School Counseling.
Kelsey has always enjoyed helping others achieve their goals and grow in their knowledge. This is what led her to teaching, even though the subject changed to history from dance. She chose to be a high school guidance counselor after working at the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. Kelsey found that she “enjoyed helping students establish goals and accomplish their post-secondary dreams.” She wanted to help students through their “social, emotional, and vocational problems.”
Her advice for students, “Follow your dreams, but also be smart about your decisions.” Kelsey states that since you may only live once, you must not only have fun but also take any opportunity given to you. When tough times come, change the outcome by using your “willpower, determination, and resources to help you through the experience.” She also advises students to be RED by being respectful, engaged, and dedicated, as our school expectation states.
Outside of her job, Kelsey enjoys dancing, including hip hop, jazz, and tap. She also enjoys teaching dance. Kelsey likes to ride four-wheelers, ATVS and jet skis. As you pass by the Student Services Office in the upcoming school days, remember to stop by and introduce yourself to JHS’s newest guidance counselor, Andrea Kelsey!