On Dec. 1, Minnehaha’s new College and Guidance Counselor Christine Paton arrived in the Student Services Office, with a versatile background and an irrepressible eagerness to advise high school students that radiated from her smile.
“High school is so positive,” Paton said. “It’s a place where there’s learning and there’s growth and there’s excitement and there’s youth. That is what really has drawn me to this particular field.”
Beginning in January, Paton will adopt all students whom current College and Guidance Counselor Lauren Bae advises, and will counsel all students with last names starting with letters N to Z.
Until then, Paton will work alongside Bae, assisting in career path presentations for underclassmen and collaborating with other members of the student services team.
Paton recently finished her counseling licensing internship within the Woodbury and Cottage Grove school district. She was a faculty member at Inver Grove Community College and has worked in chemical dependency and mental health counseling in both Minnesota and Illinois.
In contrast to the often negative environment Paton was exposed to in the field chemical dependency counseling, Paton looks forward to interacting with young and eager students at Minnehaha and finding a community with those she works with.