Career Overview:
Conner graduated from Messiah in 2021 with a major in Human Development and Family Science and a minor in education. In the past he has worked as Preschool teacher, substitute teacher, building aid, and middle school soccer coach. Currently he is a school counselor in Conestoga Valley School District. Conner delivers SEL lessons to classes, facilitates meetings with parents and stakeholders, delivers individual counseling with students, writes 504 plans, and facilitates gifted screening and more.
How has the Human Development and Family Science program helped you prepare for your work?
The HDFS program set the foundational understanding needed to enter into the counseling and early childhood field. I learned about early childhood theories, parenting practices, and relationships. I believe HDFS gave me a great understanding of people, relationships, and human development. This knowledge is very useful in any field, but school counselors can specifically benefit from this background as we work with children, adults, and teenagers.
What courses were most helpful?
Early Childhood, Parenting, Relationships, marriage and family
How does your faith interface with your work?
I work at a public school so I cannot share my faith with my students often. But I believe that my job as a counselor honors Christ. I believe that as I counsel students and provide interventions for their academic, physical, and emotional needs I love them like Christ would. I work to provide services and aids to families at my school who are in need and educate students and parents.