Celebrating National School Counselor Week with Hamilton County Schools
February 7, 2025 – At the Center for Creative Arts, where students fill the halls with music, dance, and creativity, Ms. Freda McCray is a steady presence. As the high school counselor for 10th through 12th grade, she helps students navigate the challenges of school, life, and planning for the future. But to her, it’s more than just a job.
“I love watching my students grow into who they’re meant to be,” she says. “High school is such a big transition. It’s exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. I want every student to know they have someone in their corner.”
Her office is a place where students come to talk, plan, and sometimes just take a deep breath. With college applications, class schedules, and career choices, there’s always something on a student’s mind. Some come in stressed about grades, others feel lost about what comes next after high school. No matter the reason, Ms. McCray is ready to listen.
She truly enjoys her job. One of her favorite things about being a counselor is seeing the kids at graduation. “There’s something really special about working with kids and seeing them in this office, working through problems like the death of family members and all kinds of issues. Then to see them go across the stage feels like, okay, we did it. One step closer.”
She believes that trust is the foundation of her work. “I make sure my students know they can come to me with anything. If they don’t feel safe to be open and honest, then I’m not doing my job right.”
That trust lasts long after students graduate. One of her former students, who had already gone off to college, came back to see her when things weren’t going well.
“Earlier this semester, a former student of mine who graduated last year reached out to me while she was home from college. She surprised me by deciding to swing by the school, and when we chatted, I offered her some advice.
Fast forward to the Friday before winter break, where I hosted a senior breakfast and an alumni panel. To my surprise, she returned to share her experience. When a question about mental health came up, she opened up about how she had been struggling and that visiting me was a big part of her trip home. It made me think ‘Oh wow, I’m doing something good.’ That was a good moment.”
As she talks about her students, her eyes well up with tears. She pauses, takes a breath, and smiles.
“I just love them so much,” she says, her voice soft. “I see all their potential. I see how hard they work. And I just want them to know they are never alone.”
Beyond academics and emotional support, Ms. McCray is also passionate about creating a sense of belonging. She started a BIPOC group at CCA, a space for Black, Indigenous, and other students of color to connect, share experiences, and support one another.
“Representation matters,” she says. “It’s important for students of color to have a space where they feel seen and understood. We talk about their experiences, their goals, and how to navigate the challenges they might face. It’s a community, and that community makes a difference.”
When students worry about making the wrong choice, whether it’s about college, careers, or personal decisions. Ms. McCray reminds them to breathe.
“There are very few decisions in life that can’t be undone,” she says. “Always be able to pivot. You choose a college, you get there. It’s not the right fit. You transfer. You’re in a major you thought you wanted to pursue. You hate it. Change the major. You’re in the wrong relationship. Break up with them. Maybe that wasn’t the plan. But here we are now. What can we do to pivot? You don’t have to be so committed to the ship that’s going down.”
During National School Counseling Week, we celebrate counselors like Ms. McCray, who goes beyond schedules and college applications. She is a mentor and a source of encouragement, providing a listening ear to those who have crossed her path, even after graduation. She makes sure every student feels they belong, inspires hope, and encourages her students to chase their dreams, no matter the challenges they face. With her by their side as an advocate, she is there to always be their voice, and stand up for what her students need.
Thank you, Ms. McCray, for everything you do, CCA is lucky to have you.
