November 2018: Employee Spotlight—Renee Manuel, Shaker Heights High School Counselor
Shaker Heights High School Counselor Renee Manuel’s open-minded spirit has served her well: it has led her to new professional opportunities throughout her career and has created a home life that’s full of love and a backyard that’s clucking with chickens (more on that below). Perhaps more important is that she uses her own experiences as a way to connect with her students and to show them that with an open-mind, the possibilities are endless. Learn more about Renee Manuel.
What’s your background? Did you always know you wanted to be a High School Counselor?
Actually, no. I had a lot of subject and career interests when I left for college—and that’s the case with a lot of our students here in Shaker. I was stronger in English and math, but I knew that I had some interest in science, so I attended Case Western Reserve University for my undergraduate degree in chemistry and chemical engineering. After I graduated, I worked in the private sector in a lab, but I’m really a people person and I wanted some more interaction with human beings. I’d been tutoring for a while in math and science and I always enjoyed it, so I went back to school and got my Master’s in Education at the University of Akron and my Master’s in School Counseling at John Carroll University. I started teaching biology and chemistry here at the High School 17 years ago and then I had the opportunity to split my days between guidance and teaching. I loved teaching, but I liked feeling connected to students throughout their years in high school, so I made the switch. I think that my personal experience is helpful with students because they can see that you don’t have to have it all figured out. We have tools, like Naviance, here at Shaker to assist students with exploring careers and colleges. We're here to help provide them with guidance, information and resources to help them make that decision when they're ready.
What advice do you have for students and their families about the High School?
Be open to opportunities. We meet in the spring with all eighth-grade families and give them information on the curriculum, clubs, arts, music, sports and other activities we offer. We do give them a lot of information, but it’s really important that families take the time with their students to explore all the opportunities we have. It is a big high school, but we really try to let the students know that there’s so much support here to help students succeed. Here in the School Counseling Department, we have a strong staff that goes the extra mile to help students and to help them achieve their goals.
How has keeping an open mind been helpful to you?
I think I’m always open to new experiences because you can learn so much. I took a class in Hawaii on exploring the coral reef and another class at Yellowstone National Park learning about conservation. When I was working on my Master’s degree, I did a semester abroad in Costa Rica so that I could learn about the ecosystem there. So when I’m talking with one of my students about college or their future career, I always encourage them to take advantage of extra programs your university or employer offers—because you never know where it might lead you.
I hear you have chickens in your backyard. Are they pets? Do you eat the eggs?
We've had our chickens for three or four years now. They’re "cold hardy" chickens so they are of breeds that can survive our chilly winters. We got them when I took my daughter to visit the house of a Shaker science teacher who had backyard chickens. My daughter fell in love with them. So we did our research, bought a coop and bought some chicks. It was fun watching the baby chicks grow into adolescent pullets and then adult hens. And yes, we eat the eggs. Never underestimate how enjoyable and comical it can be to watch chickens!