It’s National School Counseling Week, and to celebrate, honor and thank our wonderful school counselors, we’re spotlighting them each day this week! Today, we’re featuring John W. Bate Middle School Guidance Counselor Sammi Anders.

Anders has been working with Danville Independent Schools for 18 years. The entire time has been at JWBMS, which she described as “ab-so-lute-ly the best!” She started with Danville Schools as an instructional assistant, went through college and became a licensed therapist. 

“I stayed on with Danville Schools because I love the students, their families and the people I work with,” she said. “There are so many reasons I chose to become a counselor, but mainly because I want to be a part of the solution.” 

She said, “Working with adolescents can be challenging. They come to us amid puberty, hormone fluctuations, pre-teenage drama and sometimes trauma. These kiddos also come with big dreams, the need to be seen and heard and the want to make an impact on our world. I love being a part of the student’s universe, and I love investing my time in them.”

She said forming relationships is key in her role. 

“Relationships are the foundation that everything is built on,” she said. “These kids and their families are important to me. Being a counselor is important to me. Danville Schools are important to me. I love my job. I am doing exactly what I was made to do. There are no real words to describe the fact that I am blessed beyond what I deserve. Go Bulldogs!”