Counselor's Corner

September 2004

Moving over from high school counseling to the middle school makes me feel a bit like those sixth graders coming to Sisters Middle School for the first time. I am excited, but uncertain of what changes lie in store for me.

I have spent the past 17 years as a school counselor and taught middle school language arts for five years prior to that. My first seven years of counseling were at a 7-12 building in Colton, Oregon. When I came to Sisters in 1994, the middle school and the high school were housed in the same building as well, so working with sixth, seventh and eighth graders is not foreign to me.

I am married and the father of five children, ages 16, 14, 12, 10, and 6, which has given me a lot of practice in working with young people. Throughout my career, and actually back to my college days at the University of Oregon, I have coached cross country running and track.

The summer has given me time to ponder the work that I do for the Sisters School District. I find real satisfaction in working with young people and assisting them in achieving their goals. I enjoy working with and getting to know the students and the parents alike and strive to foster a true sense of community in our schools.

I believe the role of a middle school counselor is to be a supporter of the teachers and the students alike. From conflict resolution between classmates, to helping eighth graders get oriented to high school, I hope to be a resource for all middle school students.

I try to keep an "open door" policy, so that I remain accessible to students, parents and teachers. I welcome e-mail (kanzigc@outlawnet.com) and you can call (549-2099 x 2004) to talk or make an appointment.