In honor of National School Counseling Week, XAP and Bridges would like to recognize...

Thomas Moore
Red Land High School
Lewisberry, PA

When the administrative team at Red Land High School in Lewisberry, PA, nominated Thomas Moore for National School Counselor week, they compared him to a CIA agent. "Throughout the course of a school day, Mr. Moore, aka Thomas, encounters several missions that others would deem impossible," the nomination explained. "His mission is to uncover the educational development of our students: academically, vocationally, and socially."

Moore accomplishes all this armed with a positive attitude. "Each day is a new beginning" he says. "Everyone has to deal with frustrations. The key is to focus on the positive not the negative."

This focus on the positive is a vital element of Moore's mission to have a constructive impact on his school. "Young people need as much positive support as they can get during this developmental stage," he says. "School counseling gives me the opportunity to work with students in the areas of academics, career exploration, as well as the social/emotional dynamics of the teenage years."

Moore's nomination also pointed to his talent in helping students find their potential. "He assists students in investigating and evaluating their interests and abilities. Mr. Moore also supports students in discovering their hidden skills and talents so they can make choices on their future."

Moore says good communication skills can help students learn to be their best. When asked for tips on helping students discover their strengths, his advice is straightforward: "Probably the simplest answer would be to actively listen to students and communicate in a way that they feel they are being heard."

Moore has worked as a school counselor for nine years and has been counseling teens for 20 years. He is a regular supporter of extracurricular activities at his school, and serves on the school's student assistance team and crisis team.

The administrative team at his school points to Moore's dedication, determination, and intuition — perfect qualities for an exemplary CIA (or, in their definition, Counselor in Action) agent.

XAP and Bridges congratulate Thomas Moore for making a difference in the lives of his students!

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