This year, Green Level welcomed a new counselor to its support staff, Alice O’Kelley. School counselors play an instrumental role in helping students manage everything from academic stress to personal challenges, and having someone students can turn to is an important part of the school community. As she settles into her role, O’Kelley hopes to create a welcoming space where students feel comfortable asking for help and support.
With nearly two decades of experience, O’Kelley brings a strong background in student support. She has worked as a school counselor for 18 and a half years, spending her entire career before Green Level at Overhills Middle School and Overhills High School in Harnett County.
“That’s where I started out,” she says. “I’ve just been there forever.”
Because she joined Green Level in the middle of the school year, O’Kelley does not currently have a specific caseload. Instead, she serves as an extra support for students and staff. “I don’t have anything assigned to me as far as a group of students,” she explains. “I can work with at-risk students, help with 540s, review students’ progress, and help with registration. So overall, just a lot of things that help take a little bit off of everybody else’s plate.”
O’Kelley emphasized that flexibility is a key part of her role. “You never know what the day is going to bring,” she says. Reflecting on her previous school, she added that her days were often nonstop. “From the moment the door opened until I left, it was just constant,” she says, noting that being available to students has always been a priority.
For students who are struggling academically, O’Kelley encouraged perseverance and reaching out for help. “Don’t give up,” she says. “If you take a moment and pause and figure out what you can control, and then take care of those small things, it makes a difference.”
She also emphasized using available resources, adding that there is always something you can do, whether that means talking to a teacher, counselor, or attending tutoring sessions.
Outside of counseling, O’Kelley is looking forward to becoming more involved in the Green Level community by helping coach the men’s tennis team this season. “Just having some involvement in tennis makes me happy because it’s something I really enjoy,” she says.
O’Kelley hopes students will feel comfortable approaching her for support. “I feel like I’m a pretty approachable person,” she says. “I can be here to support, to guide or help or listen to anything that’s going on.” Moving forward, O’Kelley hopes to build strong connections with students and be a supportive presence throughout the school year.
