This year, Beaver Area High School welcomed a variety of new staff members, including Miss Brittany Coleman, one of the new guidance counselors.

Miss Coleman graduated Blackhawk High School before earning her undergrad at Virginia State University, a historically black college; then she earned masters through Geneva College. She wanted to add a very enthusiastic, “go Cougars!” (We’ll let that one slide.)

Miss Coleman originally wanted to become a news broadcaster but discovered she was too shy to pursue that career path. After some soul searching and self discovery, she realized school counseling was a strong choice for her.

So far, she’s looking forward to getting to know her students and pick up on how not everything meets the eye. She’s realizing that when you see a student who has behavior issues or attendance issues, it’s a lot deeper than just not wanting to attend or just acting out.

However, Miss Coleman feels as though it is too early to start making any drastic changes in the guidance office or school culture, but she does feel like things are headed in the right direction in the school, especially since there are more clubs and activities such as the GSA club opening up for students who can come together and relate.

Miss Coleman’s favorite part of working here so far is how her co-workers and students have all given her a friendly and warm welcome to a new, accepting environment.

But it’s not always smooth and easy starting work in a new school. The most difficult part of adjusting here has been trying to remember names.

“Remembering names is challenging—after reading them over and over, you still barely get them. I’ve been trying my hardest to connect faces to names,” Miss Coleman confessed.

In her free time, she likes to listen to music, R&B, rap, and hip hop being her favorite genres. She also considers herself a very big movie critic, going to the movies at least once a week. Her favorite movie is Mean Girls, a classic.

“I’m very excited for this school year and getting to know everyone; I would love to talk to everyone, even if they just want to stop in and say hi!” Miss Coleman said.