As we celebrate School Counselor Week, we’re shining a spotlight on Chris Buehrer, school counselor at Monclova Primary School. With nearly two decades of experience in education, Chris has been part of the Anthony Wayne Local Schools staff since 2004.
Chris began his journey in education at Huntington University in Indiana, where he earned his undergraduate degree in elementary education. Upon graduation, Chris accepted a position at Monclova Primary as a first-grade teacher during a time when teaching opportunities were limited.
“When I saw an open position at a school district in Northwest Ohio with a great reputation, I thought it would be a no-brainer to apply,” Chris said. “I got the job and thought I would stay for a couple of years to see how it went—and it’s turned into a career that I never want to leave.”
After teaching first and third grade, Chris transitioned to his role as a school counselor in 2013, a move inspired by a longtime interest in counseling and encouragement from his then-principal, Vicky Griggs.
“I always had it in the back of my mind to be a school counselor, but I needed some prompting to convince me it was the right fit,” he said. “Vicky encouraged me to pursue my master’s degree, and that vote of confidence made all the difference.”
Chris said that working to complete his Master’s in School Counseling from The University of Toledo while also teaching was quite rigorous and demanding, but that the experience left him well prepared to fill the role of school counselor.
A Day in the Life of a Counselor
As a school counselor, no two days are the same for Chris. While he typically delivers at least one classroom lesson per day on topics like bullying prevention, mental wellness, child abuse prevention, and drug awareness, much of his day is spent responding to the needs of individual students.
Chris frequently meets one-on-one with students, helping them navigate social situations, peer relationships or anxieties.
“Kids don’t often feel like adults or their friends are truly listening to them. I give them the space to share their experiences and talk through their thoughts and feelings,” he said. “Sometimes they just need reassurance that they’re making the right decision.”
He also works closely with students facing behavioral challenges, collaborating with teachers and families to create plans that support their success at school.
“Jill (Bigelow, Dean of Students) has been very helpful to me in that respect,” Chris said. “We make a great team and she is a great sounding board for brainstorming ideas or coming up with solutions to support a student.”
While the role is demanding and one that Chris says requires a certain personality and skill set to manage well, Chris finds it deeply rewarding. He says his favorite part is interacting with students in different settings—whether it’s in the classroom, one-on-one, or out in the community.
One of the ways Chris supports students and works to make connections with them is by volunteering to tutor those who need extra support in reading. For the last several years, he has worked with students who need help meeting the requirements of the Third Grade Reading Guarantee legislation.
“Tutoring gives me an additional opportunity to connect with some of our students in a different setting,” Chris explained. “I really enjoy it and as a former third grade teacher, it helps to fulfill my desire of educating children that still remains today after transitioning out of the classroom.
Chris said brainstorming ways to support students academically and personally, and working to overcome challenges is a satisfying part of this role.
“I enjoy the problem-solving aspect of my job and the opportunity to take the big picture view when working to find solutions,” he said. “I enjoy working in this capacity where I have more time to support students in a more personal way. That’s what motivated me to go into counseling in the first place. I felt I could make a bigger impact in this role.”
A Culture of Care
Chris said that everyone at Monclova Primary works together to ensure that students have the support they need to be successful, and that includes checking in with each other to manage the demands of the job.
“Teaching has always been a very demanding profession, but the requirements and responsibilities increased exponentially over the years,” Chris explained. ”Everyone is working to the max, but even on days when you go home absolutely exhausted, our staff helps make it manageable.”
He said that everyone in the building works unbelievably hard to ensure that students' academic and personal needs are met.
“We are pulled in so many different directions and have a lot of responsibilities to juggle, but at the heart of it is a desire to support the student and our colleagues and show that you really care about them.”
Chris also highlights the leadership of Interim Superintendent Kevin Herman, who fosters a culture of care throughout the District.
“Kevin treats each person as an individual, not just an employee, and that mindset trickles down. When we take care of each other, it makes the demanding parts of the job feel manageable.”
A Lasting Impact
Chris’s journey from classroom teacher to school counselor has been marked by a steadfast commitment to his students’ well-being.
“Teaching and counseling are both deeply rewarding, and I’m grateful for the time I had in the classroom because it helped me prepare for working with both early elementary and upper elementary students as a counselor,” Chris said. “I think It helped me understand children and the dynamics of school better than I would have without it.”
At the heart of his career has been a deep desire to support students as they navigate academic learning, maintaining friendships and other challenges of growing up.
During School Counselor’s Week, we thank Chris for his dedication to the AWLS and recognize the positive impact he has on the students and staff of Monclova Primary School.