Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Cherie Gresham really enjoys being around high school students – these “little adults,” as she respectfully refers to them. But until she was hired as Denair High’s new counselor, she assumed most of her interaction with teens would be confined to the soccer field and her role as a coach.

Even while working for the state Department of Social Services the past few years, Gresham applied for school jobs in Merced, Los Banos and her hometown of Manteca. But most districts have reduced their counseling staffs in the past decade and the few opportunities that came open attracted many experienced applicants.

It took a tip over the summer from her former college roommate and CSU Stanislaus soccer teammate Breanna Vaughan – now a science teacher at Denair High — to create the break Gresham needed.

She applied in July and interviewed in August for the position, impressing Principal Alecia Myers and the others on the search committee. A few days later, Gresham got the call she had been waiting for. Her first day was Sept. 4 – three weeks after classes began.

“We are so excited to have her on board as she brings a wealth of experience serving students, parents and colleagues from her previous position as a social worker,” Myers said. “She comes to us with the highest of recommendations and is a self-starter who strives to seek the best way to serve others with an excitement and energy that makes you want to work with her. Her natural curiosity is infectious and has already begun creating energy in our students and staff.”

School counselors wear many hats and it’s no different for Gresham. She will play a key role in assuring all students are on track to graduate and those bound for college are in the right classes. She will advise students and their parents when it comes to college applications and applying for scholarships and grants. She will work with Myers to build class schedules that provide the most flexibility. And she will be in charge of state testing, student awards and recognition, and the career fair. Continue reading “Cherie Gresham Takes Helm as Denair High Counselor” »