Making Every Connection Count: Meet Ms. Cloud, CM Prep Counselor 

For school counselor Ms. Cloud, a career in education has always been about making a difference in students’ lives. After six years of experience in school counseling – primarily in an elementary school setting – she recently brought her passion for supporting students to Coast to Mountains Preparatory Academy (CMPA), where she is discovering new ways to connect with students in a virtual environment. 

From Traditional Classrooms to Virtual Education 

Ms. Cloud’s introduction to virtual education came unexpectedly. While attending a community outreach event at a school where she previously worked, she spoke with a former school counselor who had transitioned to a virtual role with Stride. 

“She was like, ‘I really think you need to consider it,’” Ms. Cloud recalled. 

The idea initially wasn’t on her radar, but after spending time at home with her two young sons, Ms. Cloud realized she wanted to return to work while maintaining a balance that allowed her to be present for her family. After interviewing twice for a counseling position, she joined the team and quickly discovered a new side of education. 

“I never knew that this type of world existed for education,” she said. “I guess whenever you start off, you’re thinking it’s always going to be a different setting.” 

While learning new technology and virtual platforms has been a learning curve, Ms. Cloud has been pleasantly surprised by how easily she can connect with students and families online. 

Helping Students Understand Their Emotions 

One of Ms. Cloud’s primary goals this school year is to get in front of students as often as possible. She plans to lead biweekly social-emotional learning lessons for kindergarten through fifth grade using the Second Step curriculum. 

Her goal is to help students develop skills that may seem simple but are essential to building healthy relationships – including recognizing emotions and understanding how others may be feeling. 

“It’s being able to be one piece of that student’s day,” Ms. Cloud said. “Even if it’s just those two minutes.” 

That philosophy is already shaping her work at CMPA. During her virtual office hours, approximately 20 students showed up during each of her first two sessions. Since then, she has added a weekly check-in to better understand how students are feeling and identify when someone may need additional support. 

A Counselor Who Is Always Learning 

As Ms. Cloud settles into her new role, she is excited to continue learning from her fellow counselors while building relationships with students. 

For her, the most rewarding part of counseling remains simple: being someone a student remembers as a source of encouragement, support and understanding. 

“I just get to be that one part where I can say, ‘What made you smile today?’” she said. 

Is Online Learning Right for You?  

Explore Coast to Mountains Preparatory Academy and discover how our online private school offers a supportive, engaging, and academically rigorous learning environment for students in grades K-12. Click here to get started today! 

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