The Mighty Hawk Messenger: We’re excited to have you at Lucas! Based on your experience working here previously, what are you excited about as you begin this new job?
Ms. Gilmore: I am most excited to see familiar faces of students! I had such a wonderful experience with the hardworking, caring, students I knew a few years ago and I cannot wait to get to know all the new students I haven’t yet gotten a chance to know.
The Mighty Hawk Messenger: When you were a kid, did you expect you’d become a guidance counselor? If not, what did you hope to be when you grew up?
Ms. Gilmore: I did not think I’d be a School Counselor at all! It took a lot of time and experiences in different jobs in schools and with children to realize that my personality and passions actually suited me very well to school counseling. When I was a kid I thought I wanted to be a lawyer. It turns out that I’d much rather help students, families, and teachers be able to have a wonderful and productive school year instead.
The Mighty Hawk Messenger: What is it about working with kids that you most enjoy?
Ms. Gilmore: I absolutely LOVE seeing how excited students get when they overcome an obstacle at school and realize that they can do so much more than they may think they are capable of. I also love how caring, silly, and fun students can be with me and with other students. I hope that in and out of the classroom students will be able to have fun with me and learn that it is ok to ask for help when they need it.
The Mighty Hawk Messenger: I understand you’re an Iowa City native but you went away to school. Where did you study, and what made you decide to come back?
Ms. Gilmore: I am an Iowa City native and I think Iowa City is one of the most wonderful places to grow up and live. I went to the University of Iowa for undergraduate and fell in love with Psychology. After graduating I moved to Cádiz, Spain to be an English teacher in a bilingual elementary school. I loved the people and culture I met and experience in Spain, but missed my family and friends quite a bit. My time there helped me to understand that I belonged in a school helping students but that I wanted to pursue my love of psychology some more as well. I went to graduate school in Chicago at DePaul (where Dr. Jenkins went!) in my studies at DePaul I learned how to be a Professional School Counselor and became even more passionate about helping students. I ultimately came back to Iowa City to be closer to my family and friends and cannot wait to start helping students learn and thrive in my hometown.
The Mighty Hawk Messenger: If you could only listen to one musical artist or band, read the work of one writer, and watch the movies of one actor or actress for a whole year, what would your three choices be?
Ms. Gilmore: One Direction. Hands down. I have always loved pop music, boy bands in particular. The fact that One D is British and I’m an anglophile is just an added bonus. Dr. Seuss is an all time favorite writer of mine because his works show very important life lessons while also rhyming, being silly and having awesome illustrations! Aside from every One D song ever, my favorite song ever is “Circle of Life” from the Lion King. I love the movie and am so excited to see the new live action version. I know that’s not an actor or actress, but I’d be fine only watching Lion King for a year.
The Mighty Hawk Messenger: What’s your favorite healthy food? What’s your favorite treat?
Ms. Gilmore: My mom is a dietitian and has inspired lots of healthy eating habits. I cannot ever get enough kale or spinach! It was a long and winding path to get to this point but there isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t have some leafy green. I am particular about my treats, but will never ever turn down a cookie! I’m a bit of a cookie monster.
The Mighty Hawk Messenger: What is something about you Lucas families might be surprised to learn?
Ms. Gilmore: My favorites are Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, and Merle Haggard. I have a growing collection of these wonderful singers (and many more) on vinyl. I also cook many delicious things and golf whenever I can.
I am so very excited and grateful to be the new School Counselor at Lucas. I care very deeply about the welfare and success of all students and hope I can get to know each and every one at Lucas!
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