Going from a therapist for inmates struggling with mental illness, to a counselor for troubled teenagers with a confusing future can be a very distressing transition. Just ask Mrs. Jenny Cluts, HHS’s new guidance counselor.
This is her first year ever being involved in a school environment. Before coming to HHS this year, Cluts spent six years as a therapist in a prison.
Cluts stated that she wanted something “more positive,” which furthermore led her to work in a school environment.
Another thing that enticed Cluts to work at HHS was her love for kids. “Coming to HHS, I also wanted to work with kids,” Cluts stated.
Cluts’ experience, changing from two completely different environments was nerve wracking to endure.
“I was nervous to change environments, because they are so different, and I was in corrections for so long,” Cluts stated. “However it has felt very natural to transfer to Hancock, and more positive!”
Cluts said that coming to HHS, while it was welcoming and exciting, it was also troubling coming into something so different, so fresh.
“As a school counselor, it was nerve wracking coming into a school with already a tight knit community! I wanted to fit in!” Cluts said.
Cluts based her love and favoritism in counseling around the relationships she is able to build. “My favorite thing about being a school counselor has been making relationships with the students and staff,” Cluts stated. “Being back in a school environment has been really fun, too!”
What makes Cluts appreciate her job so much, is not only the unrelated days, it is also the exciting and easygoing kids.
“I like working with kids because it is fun and different every day,” Cluts said. “Working with kids is also hopeful and positive.”
Cluts stated that one of the things she had to get used to working in a school were the privileges that she was allowed. “Working in prisons and jails, you cannot have your phone, so it’s kind of weird having my phone in the work day!” she said.
While Cluts may spend most of her time in the counseling center, working to get kids the help they need, and the guidance they need, she also has many different challenges and interests in her home life as well.
Cluts is a wife, and a mother. And when she is not spending all of her time with her kids, or working; she likes to go on bike rides, go to her favorite restaurants, and spend time with family.
