Caroline Bertrand, Career Specialist, Western Albemarle High School
What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
I’m a juggler. I have to keep many different sorts of balls in the air to support 1000 students.
What’s the most common misconception about your job?
That I advise students on colleges. That’s the role of the school counselors. My focus is to provide access to information about careers and colleges, tools for the job market, and real life experiences that help students identify their interests, grow their skills, and develop their educational and career plan.
Where do you see the teaching field in 5 years?
We are moving towards blended learning with technology playing a bigger role. This opens up extraordinary possibilities, yet I have some concerns about how the uncontrolled use of technology may affect our brains and our ability to concentrate, as well as our personal relationships.
What outside experience prepared you best to become a teacher?
Community service played a big role in my path in life, starting in high school. At the time, I volunteered with a group of students to do activities with students with intellectual disabilities. I encourage young people to use their talents to serve others. The volunteer usually benefits the most from the experience.
