Professional Partner of the Month: December 2007
Teresa Mrozowski
"Mrs. Mrozowski is the consummate professional and the epitome of the "extra mile" when it comes to advocacy on behalf of children. She is a positive role model for all who know her as a daughter, mother, employee, friend, counselor, and confidant. She has an enormous capacity for positive influence. In short, she is an outstanding citizen."
- Dr. Susan J. Anderson, Superintendent, Westmont Hilltop School District
"One aspect of her character that I specifically revered was her willingness to always help a student in need, regardless of other duties. I am quite aware of how busy things get in her department – it seems like there are always appointments and deadlines to meet on a day-to-day basis. However, she would always make time to work with a student no matter how busy she was or how small their problem seemed."
- Garrett Dunlap, former Counseling Intern, Westmont Hilltop Middle School
"I have worked with many school counselors in my career, taking me into five school districts, and Terri is tops. She truly cares about people – this is not just a job for her. It is a calling, a passion, and part of who she is."
- Carole M. Kakabar, Principal, Westmont Hilltop Middle School
Dr. Anderson’s quotation, above, mentions Teresa Mrozowski’s "enormous capacity for positive influence." Based on the effusive feedback and the sheer volume of positive comments from her colleagues, Mrs. Mrozowski is constantly and tirelessly working to expand on and share this capacity to positively impact others.
A counselor at Westmont Hilltop Middle School in Johnstown, Teresa Mrozowski serves grades 5-8 in a building of 560 students. She completed her graduate and undergraduate work at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, followed by postgraduate classes at Boston University. Mrs. Mrozowski fully immerses herself in the lives of the students, the staff, and her community, participating in a myriad of committees, activities, and associations. She is a member of the Pennsylvania School Counselor’s Association, the Student Assistance Program (SAP) Team, and many district committees, most recently the Strategic Plan Committee for Westmont Hilltop School District. When not coordinating Red Ribbon Week, or working with the University of Pittsburgh – Johnstown (UPJ) to coordinate Education majors receiving credit for tutoring, Terri volunteers for Central City Heritage Days and the Johnstown Folkfest. Did we mention she manages to stay busy?
When it comes to Mrs. Mrozowski’s skills and philosophy, her colleagues paint a picture, in broad brushstrokes, of Teresa effectively advocating for children directly and indirectly, and in focusing on the family. Dr. Anderson has known Teresa Mrozowski since 1980 - from various vantage points and positions - and she describes Mrs. Mrozowski as a person with "tremendous personal integrity" who can motivate students, accurately assess pupil needs, and effectively communicate and collaborate with students, families, and staff. She knows that family concerns and problems affect learning, and therefore puts great effort into helping whole families directly, or if not possible, in connecting them with other resources.
Central to this advocacy for children is her ability to connect with them. She makes herself accessible, whether or not she’s busy with something else, in order to talk and to listen to her students. Terri has the ability to make everyone feel important, and thus many are drawn to her and more likely to share what their needs are. She comes across as relaxed yet intent, sincere, and positive. Combining excellent counseling skills with an extensive knowledge of available resources, and much hard work, Mrs. Mrozowski does whatever it takes to help the students solve their problems.
Evidence of the hard work comes from examples such as this from Dr. Anderson: "Mrs. Mrozowski is often seen leaving the parking lot long after her contractual time because she has been diligently attempting to meet the needs of administrators, teachers, parents, and students." Carole Kakabar further describes this dedication: "Terri can always be found in the building long after others have left. Many nights she is here until 5 p.m. catching up on phone calls to parents and writing notes from students she spent time with that day. She is always available to students and staff." Modestly, Teresa Mrozowski doesn’t see it quite the same way. She actually thanks her administrators for letting her put in the extra time, seen in this explanation about her work with The Second Mile’s Challenge Program:
| | "Westmont Hilltop staff and administration recognize the value of the Challenge Program at Second Mile and teachers allow me to see our target population to set yearly goals or check on their social and academic progress. My building administrators allow me to call parents, come to school during the summer to complete paperwork and check with campers attending camp. Working together we make the camp experience more meaningful to the camper." |
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Dedication to her students doesn’t end in June when the school year ends, but continues around the clock, and throughout the calendar year, for Mrs. Mrozowski.
One interesting strand that becomes clear when talking with Terri’s colleagues is that she not only cares deeply about her students, but also about the development of young professionals, and about the profession of school counseling itself. In addition to working with UPJ student tutors, Mrs. Mrozowski has had student interns for six years, dedicating much time and effort to teach and guide future school counselors. Some of these interns have described their time with Terri as "a truly inspiring experience," or as a tipping point that nudged them in the direction of school counseling when not completely sure of which way to lean professionally. Clearly, many young professionals who have had the chance to work with Terri find her to be a mentor and role model.
While often supporting others, Mrs. Mrozowski is quick to acknowledge those who have influenced and supported her:
| | "I am blessed to have had two parents who valued education and supported me while receiving my undergraduate and graduate degrees and post-graduate classes. I am also blessed to have a wonderful husband who encourages me and supports my endeavors completely." |
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She and her husband have one son, Adam, who is a second-grader in the school district.
Because of her excellent work with children and youth, and her collaboration with the community, The Second Mile is proud to salute Teresa Mrozowski as December’s Professional Partner of the Month!
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