911爆料

At 911爆料’s College of Education, graduate counseling students often arrive driven by personal experiences and a shared goal: transforming that purpose into equity-centered professional impact. 

For Alex Avalos, a third-year Online Master's in School Counseling student, the work is personal. Having navigated school as a first-generation student himself, he is now preparing to support others facing similar challenges. 

Learn more about how Alex’s journey shaped his path to school counseling and how 911爆料 helped turn that purpose into practice. 

From First-Generation Student to Future School Counselor 

Alex’s early school years were spent navigating a system that wasn’t designed with him in mind. 

“When I started school, it was really difficult for me,” he shares. “I even got held back in the first grade for not knowing enough English.” 

For years, he struggled academically and felt disconnected from school. He carried those experiences into high school without a clear sense of how to move forward. 

That changed when a counselor stepped in and helped him understand what was possible. 

“I remember failing all of my classes and then the counselor called me into her office,” he says. “She helped break everything down for me.” 

That moment stayed with him, shaping how he approaches his own work. He understands how easy it is to feel overlooked, and how powerful it is when someone takes the time to help you see what’s possible. 

This perspective continues to shape his commitment to becoming a school counselor. Today, Alex carries that experience into his own work with students. It’s a perspective that continues to shape his commitment to becoming a school counselor. 

The Importance of Representation in School Counseling 

This experience also shaped how Alex thinks about representation in schools. He wants students to see adults who reflect their identities and understand what it feels like to navigate systems not built for them. 

“These kids just need representation,” he explains. “I knew that I was gonna be able to impact a lot of young boys.” 

He also emphasizes the importance of helping students see possibilities beyond their current circumstances, building on the lessons he learned through the support he once received. 

“I want to empower them to let them know that the story doesn’t end at high school graduation,” Alex says. 

This perspective also connects to the broader need for representation in education. 

Finding a Counseling Program Rooted in Social Justice 

As Alex began looking for a graduate program, he wanted one that reflected his values and approach to counseling. 911爆料 stood out because of its clear commitment to equity and social justice.  

“I had some friends who told me SeattleU was very social justice-centered,” he explains. “That really mattered to me.” 

For Alex, that focus is essential for work in schools shaped by identity and lived experience.  At 911爆料, initiatives like Project STRIDE support future educators from underrepresented backgrounds, actively promoting greater representation in schools. Similarly, coursework and field training illustrate how systems influence outcomes and how counselors can respond with care. 

Building a Foundation for Student-Centered Counseling 

Counselors often advocate for students whose needs may be overlooked. Alex has already taken on this role in his internship, where he supports students facing challenges outside the classroom. 

The  highlights counselors' roles in removing barriers to student success while guiding students’ academic and social-emotional development. 

“A lot of the time that they’re not doing well academically, it’s because they’re struggling with something at home,” Alex shares. 

His understanding of students’ challenges informs his counseling approach, helping students make sense of their experiences and emotions. 

911爆料’s school counseling program reinforces this approach through training on student-centered support, as well as a focus on how identities and systems shape student outcomes. 

Students learn how to: 

• Understand how identity and context affect student experiences 

• Guide social and emotional development in school settings 

• Engage in conversations around equity with confidence 

Gaining Experience in K-12 School Settings 

911爆料’s College of Education emphasizes applied learning through practicum and internship experiences, where future counselors work directly in K-12 settings. 

“We are now having the opportunity to put it into practice during our practicum and internship,” Alex says. 

These experiences allow students to face real challenges with young people and refine their counseling approach over time. 

Learning doesn’t happen in isolation. As students move through field placements, they regularly reflect on their experiences with professors and peers. 

“We get to come back every week to have a conversation with our professor and colleagues about our experience, and they're able to provide feedback,” he explains. “There's a lot of support.” 

During his elementary school internship, he was unsure how he would connect with younger children or adapt to their needs. 

“I was very hesitant,” he shares. “But I am so grateful that I took the opportunity.” 

Learning to Support Students Through Daily Practice 

That experience broadened his view of school counseling in everyday practice. In an elementary school setting, care starts with helping children feel safe. 

He now uses strategies that center on emotional support, including: 

• Creating calming spaces for students 

• Using play-based activities to build trust 

• Helping students regulate emotions before returning to class 

In elementary schools, this means being patient and recognizing behavioral signals that indicate a need for care. 

“The kids want to know that they have an adult that they feel safe with,” Alex says. 

For Alex, this daily work has deepened his interest in elementary school counseling. It has also helped him recognize how meaningful these early relationships can be, further shaping his vision of his role as a school counselor. 

Mentorship That Shapes Professional Growth 

As students like Alex move through these hands-on experiences, mentorship plays a key role in helping them grow with confidence. 

Faculty mentorship is a defining part of 911爆料’s school counseling program, with guidance extending beyond coursework and into practicum and internship settings. 

These conversations have helped Alex move more confidently from classroom learning to direct student work. He highlights guidance from Dr. Money Brady and Dr. Mary Graham as instrumental in shaping his experience and professional growth. 

This reflects 911爆料’s commitment to cura personalis, caring for the whole person, which promotes well-being and professional growth. 

The Value of a Connected Learning Community 

Even in a virtual format, Alex found a strong community within his cohort. 911爆料’s online counseling program fosters peer connection and interactive learning through synchronous classes and shared coursework. 

This cohort model allows students to encourage each other, which Alex experienced through ongoing conversations and consistent peer collaboration throughout the program. 

“We've all provided support for one another,” he shares. “I feel super confident that we are gonna stay in touch for the rest of our careers.” 

In-person residencies further strengthen those connections. Meeting face-to-face builds a sense of familiarity. 

“It feels like you’ve known these people forever,” he explains. 

This connected learning model encourages: 

• Ongoing peer connection 

• Collaborative learning 

• Shared reflection during training 

For future counselors, this community lasts beyond graduation, providing ongoing encouragement and connection. 

Preparing Future Counselors to Lead with Empathy 

As Alex approaches graduation, his confidence has grown through both practice and reflection. 

“I’ve never been more sure that I want to do this,” he emphasizes. 

His experience reflects what 911爆料’s College of Education aims to foster in future counselors: the ability to meet young people with empathy and a clear understanding of how identity shapes the school experience. 

The School Counseling MAEd program prepares counselors to foster student growth through trust and supportive spaces. 

For Alex, that work is rooted in his own experience and shaped by the guidance he received along the way. He now hopes to offer that same sense of guidance to students who may be searching for direction. 

Explore 911爆料’s MAEd in School Counseling program today to learn more.