Out of the 130 or so faculty members here at Oak Park High School, one stood out and was chosen to be February’s Employee of the Month, OPHS counselor Jenny Charrett. When she is not helping students out, Charett works as the advisor for the Advanced Peer Counseling program and serves as the counseling department chair.
Charrett began her career in education back in 2001, when she took a job at Moorpark High School to teach English and health.
“I actually became a teacher with the intention of being a high school counselor,” Charrett said. “At the time, most high school counselors had teaching experience, and I still find [my teaching experience] even to this day to be valuable because it helps me understand the learning environment.”
Charrett also had the opportunity to work in admissions for nine years at California Lutheran University before beginning her first counseling job.
“When I was [at CLU], I worked toward my counseling degree and later got my first [counseling] job at La Reina High School, which was a great experience,” Charrett said.
Charrett came upon the job opening through a former OPHS counselor, who she interned under.
“In preparation for my career, I interned at OPHS under Randy McLelland,” Charrett said. “I stayed in touch with him, and when there was an opening at OPHS, I took a chance and got the job. This is now my tenth year at OPHS.”
When asked about her favorite part of work as a counselor at OPHS, she attributed it to those she works with.
“It’s always the people. At OPHS, our students are good people at heart, even when they are struggling,” Charrett said. “The people I’ve worked with, both students and staff, have made my job easier. I love my counseling team, our administration, teachers, all of it.”
In all her years of experience, one big piece of advice she wishes to give emphasizes the importance of taking this time in your life to focus on self-discovery.
“The biggest thing is understanding that where you are right now – the good things and the bad things – is all part of this journey,” Charrett said. “I think the most important thing for students to understand is that this time is about finding out who you are.”
