As a school counselor, Shauna Dunbar brings compassion, creativity, and unwavering dedication to her role, helping AW Junior High students navigate the challenges of adolescence and preparing them for their futures.
Shauna’s journey to becoming a counselor started at Indiana Wesleyan University, where she initially planned to earn a grade 5-6 English Language Arts endorsement. However, when the program was discontinued, she shifted to elementary education. While pursuing this degree, she began to question if it was truly the right fit.
Everything changed during her junior year when she met a mentor who inspired her to consider a new path.
“She was an amazing person and really helped me through the process of deciding what I wanted to do,” she recalled. “I felt like I would love to help others in the same way.”
This mentorship sparked a love for psychology and led Shauna to pursue a master’s degree in school counseling at The University of Toledo. She completed her internship at AW Junior High alongside her now-colleague, Mrs. Barbour, and officially joined the school during the 2010-11 school year.
“Now I’ve been here 14 years—it’s adding up quickly!” she laughed. “It’s been such a blessing to work with this team and be part of this community.”
A Day in the Life of a Counselor
For Shauna, no two days are ever the same—and that’s exactly what she loves about her job.
“Every day is different, and you never really know what to expect,” she shared. “You have to be organized and have a plan for your day, but the needs of the students always come first. A student with a pressing issue will take precedence over anything else.”
As a result of this responsiveness, her role includes a mix of planned activities, classroom lessons, small groups, and impromptu interactions. During this time of year, Shauna spends a lot of time ensuring students have a smooth transition into the second semester and starting to schedule courses for next year. But her favorite moments are the ones spent directly with students—whether it’s meeting one-on-one, facilitating peer mediations, or checking in with them casually at lunch or by the buses.
“I try to be visible so students don’t feel like they only come to see me during difficult times,” she explained. “I enjoy talking with them and learning about them, and want it to feel normal and natural for them to talk with me as part of their support system here at school.”
She aims to make her office a welcoming place where students can stop in whenever they need a listening ear.
“I want them to feel comfortable stopping in to talk about classes, process their feelings, calm down, or just talk,” she said.
“Having struggles is a normal part of learning and growing up, and I want to make them feel supported while they are figuring things out.”
Guiding Students in a Digital Age
One of the most significant changes Shauna has observed in her career is the growing influence of technology and social media on students’ lives.
“Technology has reshaped the way students interact with each other,” she explained. “Many of the concerns that start outside of school—like conflicts over social media—end up spilling into in-person interactions in the classroom and we work to help students navigate these situations.”
She explained that the shift to electronic interaction and entertainment has also impacted students’ attention spans and problem-solving abilities.
“They’re used to short, entertaining videos like on TikTok, and it can be tricky to compete with that,” she said with a laugh. “But the teachers work hard to keep them engaged and help them develop critical thinking and resilience.”
As part of her work, Shauna is passionate about helping students find balance in their lives—whether it’s between schoolwork and extracurriculars or between working hard and having fun.
Regardless of where students fall on that spectrum, Shauna works to meet them where they are.
“I talk with them about finding balance and wellness as a whole person—academically, socially, and emotionally,” she explained.
Working in a Collaborative and Supportive Team
Shauna is quick to credit her colleagues for creating a positive and collaborative environment, built on trust and professionalism.
“I feel so blessed to work with our counseling team and the entire office staff. We have great communication and the same shared goal of helping students succeed,” she said. “Jordan (LeFevre, Principal) trusts us in our role but is always willing to drop what he’s doing to help us or a student when we need him. Lori (Williams, Assistant Principal) is incredibly intentional in her conversations with students, and Amy (Barbour, School Counselor) has been such a great influence and partner all these years.
Her role also involves working with teachers, ensuring that they are a part of the conversation when it comes to helping their students.
“Teachers care very much about their students, and I try to maintain open communication and collaboration with them when we have students with a particular need,” she said. “When they send a student to me for extra support, I want them to know that I have their best interests at heart.”
The Impact of Lorain, School Facility Dog
One of the most unique additions to the counseling team in the past year has been Lorain, the school facility dog. Shauna is a part of the team that trained to be one of Lorain’s handlers and has seen the impact that having her in the building has made on students.
“At first, I was a little unsure of the idea—because I’m not naturally a dog person—but I’ve seen the incredible value Lorain brings,” Shauna said. “She can bring such excitement when students see her, or she can be such a calming influence on a student who needs a few minutes of quiet. She changes the dynamic in such a positive way.”
While Principal Jordan takes on most of Lorain’s care, Shauna and the counseling team enjoy having her around and utilizing her with students. “The kids are so excited to see her, and she’s definitely the star of the show!”
Meaningful Work and a Personal Passion
For Shauna, school counseling is more than just a job—it’s a deeply personal calling.
“We’re constantly rooting for and worrying about our students,” she said. “I want every student to know they’re here for a reason. They have a purpose only they can fulfill, and I feel privileged to be a part of their journey by helping create a positive school experience.”
She said that she emphasizes the importance of treating each other with respect and kindness, even when students are managing a lot at this age.
“Everyone deserves to come to school and have a good day. You never truly know what someone is going through, so it’s important to be kind,” she explained.
Shauna also values the relationships she builds with students and families, emphasizing the importance of positivity and helping families receive the necessary support at school and outside of school. “I want parents to know we see the good in their kids. We’re here to help them learn and grow even when they make mistakes.”
As Shauna reflects on her 14 years at AW Junior High, it’s clear that her dedication and passion have made a lasting impact on her and her students.
During School Counseling Week, we acknowledge Shauna Dunbar for her heartfelt dedication and passionate care of the students of AW Junior High.