At Arcadia High School (AHS), students can find a calm and welcoming place at the Wellness Center run by Ms. Andrea Campos, the school’s new wellness counselor. She helps students manage stress and feel supported. This safe and peaceful place is open to all AHS students who may want to stop by.

Before pursuing a career in counseling, Ms. Campos worked at East Valley High School as an English teacher for 13 years and later as an instructional coach. She attended Notre Dame Academy, an all-girls high school as a student.

While working as a teacher, Ms. Campos realized she was already doing a lot of counseling with her classroom students. That experience inspired her to pursue a Master’s in counseling from University of La Verne next. Along the way, she received training on restorative practices and did work on her own as well.

As the wellness counselor at AHS, Ms. Campos’ job is different from day to day. She regularly meets with students who need help, talks with parents, and teaches lessons in health classes about stress, emotions, and mental health.

“I think the biggest reward comes from seeing a student walk out of my office feeling less stressed, sad, or anxious than when they walked in,” she said.

“I always felt that if I was giving advice and support to students, I should also be practicing the same things,” Ms. Campos explained.

For students who might be struggling but don’t know how to ask for help, Ms. Campos wants them to remember that they aren’t alone. She encourages students to reach out, talk to someone, and remember that it’s okay and best to ask for help and support.

“Your experience is a human experience. We all struggle at times, and there’s no shame in that,” she shared.

Outside of her job and counseling, Ms. Campos enjoys gardening and yoga. She finds both activities soothing and grounding.

“When I practice yoga, I find that I’m less rattled and more focused. When I garden, pull weeds, and clean the garden, it’s as if I’m literally cleaning away all the unnecessary stress that’s in my life.”

Ms. Campos’s caring and welcoming personality makes her a very important part of AHS. Whether she’s helping a student through a tough day or teaching about mental health, she reminds everyone at AHS that taking care of your health is just as important as everything else in your life.