Bobbie Wood is the new counselor for Puxico R8 Junior and High Schools. She is stepping into the position formerly filled by Lorrie Allen, who retired.
Allen had been at Puxico High since 2003 working in the Puxico Elementary School.
"I've always known I wanted to help kids," stated Wood. "I know I have big shoes to fill taking the position that belonged to Lorrie Allen. It's actually a little nerve-wracking however I have great things planned for this school."
Wood, who is originally from Campbell, attended Southeast Missouri State University where she earned her undergraduate degree in elementary education in 2014. She currently is set to graduate in May 2018 with a masters in school counseling degree.
In August 2014, Wood started her education career as a student teacher for Puxico. Upon graduating she switched to the Little Library Aid working with Kindergarten and first grade for one semester. In August 2015, Puxico R8 hired her as a third grade teacher where she remained until the beginning of this year. As a junior and senior high school counselor, she is adjusting to playing a very different role.
"The biggest part in adjusting for me is all the paperwork," stated Wood. "That just is not something they teach you in college. However, I am enjoying the position so far! I have already noticed a pretty big difference between the junior high and senior high school students as their areas of focus seem to be a lot different. I plan to start being in the classrooms more very soon and really want to focus on individual and group guidance. I really want these students to know I am here to help them, whether emotional or academic, my main focus is them and their needs."
Although school has only been in session a mere three weeks, Wood already has made several changes for both the junior and senior high schools. One of the first things was signing the high school up for a program titled, "Journey to College." This program is a three event program focusing on helping seniors enroll in college. Around the first of October, the program will kick off with an event titled, Apply Missouri. Apply Missouri will take place after normal school hours and will help student enroll in Missouri colleges. The second part of the three events is called, FASFA FRENZY, and will also take place after hours but will help assist students and their parents enroll in the FASFA grant. The third and final event is called, Decision Day, and will take part during the normal school day and will act as a celebration for those students who have decided on a college to attend.
"Senior students can start preparing for these events and for colleges in general by starting to write their college application essays," stated Wood. "Many applications must be turned in by the beginning of the spring months, which for most students approach faster than they plan."
Other events she has scheduled include taking a group of students to the Southeast Missouri Regional College Fair and helping both junior and senior high school students take part in the National Red Ribbon Week.
"Although I am here for career planning, I am taking this job to help students with their emotional needs," stated Wood. "I really want to connect with all my students and I want them to get to know me not just as a counselor but also as a person. I want them to know I am married, that I have 13 nieces and nephews that range from just graduated to newborn, that I have two brothers and one sister, that I have two German Shepherds and that yes I am that "dog" mom, but most of all I want them to know that I am here to listen. My main focus is these students, I am here to support them in any way they need and I hope that by the time I retire that someone will step into fill my position and think, 'man I have big shoes to fill,' just like I currently am thinking about filling Lorrie Allen's position."