By Lynnette Hoffman
Tuesday, September 6, 2022 2:38 pm
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Winlock School District students are back to class and there are new staff as well. Tia Frazier is the new middle school counselor and athletic director for the high school. Tia comes to Winlock from Texas and she has the heart to go with her Texas roots.
Tia graduated from high school in Allen Texas, she then earned her BA at the University of Arkansas. She then went to graduate school at Texas A & M where she got her degree in sports management with a minor in counseling. Once you meet Tia, you know she is up for the task and she will do it with class and gusto.
Tia came here to interview from Texas, when asked why she chose Winlock she stated, "I chose Winlock because of the small town vibe that is here. Everyone is so friendly and everything is so green! After interaction with the administration, I knew that I was working with a leader that cares about her teachers and staff and makes sure that they are good to go. Not only does she care about her team, she truly loves her students, and that is something that I really look for in a leader."
Tia has a calmness about her, there is no doubt she is going to be there for the students. She has a lot of responsibilities, she stated, "I am the Middle School Counselor and the Athletic Director. My responsibilities are ensuring that our kids are in their proper classes and are the proper path for graduation. As the AD, I ensure that the students have their sports available to them and that my coaches are set up for success." There is absolutely no doubt, Tia will give the students what they need to be successful.
While Winlock has Tia as an athletic director, she knows a school counselor is just as important. Many have known that COVID-19 has affected the students, Tia understands her role as counselor will be needed as students continue to deal with the time loss to Covid-19. Tia continued, "My hope is to bring some guidance and direction to the school's sport programs, as well as more awareness to mental health. One of the most important things that we can teach the students is a sense of responsibility and commitment to the community. By doing this, this will instill in the student a healthy sense of self-esteem." Giving students confidence through self-esteem is one of the biggest gifts you can give to any student.
Mental health is now an important part to any healthy school with the stresses students are now enduring. Most students are dealing with so much more than their parents had to. Tia is very aware that healthy mental health also means healthy choices. She stated, "My goal is to bring more awareness to mental health. Mental health compliments physical health, because it all starts in the mind and how we think and view ourselves." Healthy mind and body is what we all strive for.
Sitting with Tia, there was no doubt she was excited to be a part of a small community. We can expect to see her in the community as well, even working with businesses to give the students confidence they need to be healthy. She stated, "Becoming part of this community, I find it as an opportunity for not only my own growth, but also contributing to the positive development of young minds."
Winlock gained not only an athletic director and counselor, they also gained someone who cares about what she does and the influence she has on students. She is a great addition for the Winlock School District and for the entire Winlock community.