As the school year comes to an end, Arcadia High School (AHS) must bid farewell to its departing seniors. “Graduating” alongside them, Mrs. Sharon Sandoval, a Class of 2025 counselor, will be retiring after 27 years of working at AHS.
Prior to her career at AHS, Mrs. Sandoval worked at Monrovia High School (MHS) as a substitute counselor and substitute teacher. She expressed that, from a young age, she always strived to be in a position to help others.
“At that time, I thought I…wanted to be either a teacher or a therapist, and becoming a therapist is what I initially did,” she said.
Mrs. Sandoval earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Iowa State University and a Master of Science in Counselling/Marriage and Family Therapy at the University of La Verne. After becoming a licensed Marriage and Family therapist, she went back to school to receive a Pupil Personnel Services credential from Azusa Pacific University. This decision allowed her to travel on the path to becoming a school counselor.
Mrs. Sandoval described the different work “seasons” for counselors.
“Right at the beginning of the year, before students even return, we’re busy doing [prerequisite] checks, balancing classes, [and] resolving scheduling conflicts, so everyone comes with a perfect schedule as much as possible.”
Almost immediately, she and all other counselors are swamped with writing letters of recommendation. Mrs. Sandoval also helps to make sure that all students are on track for graduation, which includes fulfilling the health requirement and passing the swim proficiency test.. As a senior counselor, she is regularly consulted whenever a question about graduation or college comes up.
“Everyone’s looking for a magical formula to accomplish their goals…but I think the best advice has always been, and always will be, to be yourself. Be the best version of yourself that you can be,” she said. “If a student is pursuing their own dreams, their own passions, that comes through…in a college application. If a student is doing something they love, that they’re passionate about, they’re going to shine.”
Along with this work, Mrs. Sandoval often meets with students to discuss any troubles they may have, whether it be academic, social, or personal.
“It’s the satisfaction that comes from any time, no matter what the circumstance is…, being able to help a student answer a question, move them from point A to point B, resolve an issue for them,” said Mrs. Sandoval. Alluding to French philosopher Simone Weil’s famous quote, she added that “giving someone your undivided attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity.”
Reflecting upon her time at AHS, Mrs. Sandoval not only values the interactions she’s had with students, but cherishes the friendships she’s made with her fellow counselors. She hopes that the relationships she has formed with her colleagues will remain after her retirement.
“We’re a pretty tight unit. We depend on each other and we support each other,” said Mrs. Sandoval. “We go through and face the same challenges and circumstances, so we understand one another.”
In one last piece of advice for her colleagues, she urges them to “take some time to take care of [themselves], because no one else can do it for you.”
Though bittersweet, retirement will allow Mrs. Sandoval to catch up with her personal life. She said, “Everyone asks [about my plans] when they find out I’m retiring, and they assume I’m taking some fancy vacation. Eventually, maybe I will, but not right now. My plan is to just take care of myself.”
With a chuckle, she added, “I’m tired, so I look forward to swimming this summer and getting back into an exercise regime and waking up when I want to.”
Mrs. Sandoval’s sense of humor and cheerful smile never seemed to leave her. She was asked to identify a word that encapsulated her overall personality, and decided on “positive.”
“It doesn’t mean that I don’t get frustrated or have bad days or get overwhelmed, because I do. We all do,” she explained. “It takes a lot of resiliency, and you have to be hopeful for students; hopeful about their ability to change, do good, accomplish their goals, and be the best person that they can be.”
Mrs. Sandoval leaves AHS knowing that she has left a positive impact on the school and its students. As she embarks on her next adventure in life, her work at AHS will continue to benefit the campus.
Photos Courtesy of The Arcadian
