Mrs. Webb-Maloney Eases College Stress
NEIRAD enilno edition
Hometown: The Bronx
Favorite movie: “The Little Mermaid” (watching it with her two-year-old daughter)
Favorite food: Sushi (especially tuna avocado rolls)
Family: Has been married for six years and has a two-year-old daughter
Favorite Vacation: Myrtle Beach, SC
Biggest guilty pleasure: Coffee rolls from the Darien Doughnut
College: Southern Connecticut State University
Top 5 Guidance Advice:
1. Have a balanced life
2. Have fun
3. Advocate for your self
4. Come to guidance often
5. Try new things
The guidance counselors at Darien High School are not people students usually see on an everyday basis. Some think about going to a guidance counselor when they are in trouble or if they need to talk or confide in someone on a more personal level. But in reality the counselors are here to help students with whatever problems or questions crop up in their lives.
Debra Webb- Maloney is one of the school's seven guidance counselors. Mrs. Webb-Maloney is a utility player: she helps with any problem her students may face during their high school career.
“Advocating for the students is the most important part of my job,” Mrs. Webb- Maloney said. “We are all here for you guys.” Mrs. Webb- Maloney too is experiencing much of the back-to-school craziness. “The beginning and the end of each school year are the busiest time for us in the guidance wing,” she said.
The most prominent aspect of her fall workload is college-related matters. Mrs. Webb Maloney is the ultimate advice giver when kids come to her with university queries. One tip she recommends for the new senior class is to “visit your counselor often. We can relive your stress just by talking.”
For the new freshmen Mrs Webb-Maloney suggests going into see their counselors early in the semester. “Freshmen should come see their counselor in September, the sooner the better.” Sophomore Waverly Hurd put that advice into play last June. "She was very helpful when it came time to make my schedule for sophomore year and she is really nice," Hurd said.
Mrs. Webb Maloney joined the DHS staff in the fall of 2007. Prior to that, she served on the admissions board of The College of New Rochelle in New York for six years. She is enjoying the switch from a college to a high school career.
“The thing I love most about my job is that it is different every day. You can come in with the day scheduled out and then have a student wanting to come in and talk and the entire schedule is ruined. It is always a busy place and I really like that.”
Director of Guidance Paul Ribeiro says Mrs. Webb-Maloney's enthusiasm makes her a great presence in the department. “Mrs. Webb Maloney is easy to talk to, fun to be around and is extremely dedicated to her students,” he said.
The guidance counselors are here to help with any problem students throw at them. Having a good relationship with your guidance counselor can also help especially later in high school. “Most of my job is going in and out of meetings, meeting with college representatives and handling student’s issues. Helping the students is the most rewarding part of my job here at Darien,” she said. Mrs. Webb- Maloney is there and eager to help her students.
Some kids don’t even know the name of their guidance counselor and they are missing out. These people can assist with any problem. Get to know your guidance counselor and be amazed!
