A dual approach leads to success
Angie Baker and Kyria Hart are the dynamic duo of counseling at North Lake Early College High School, and their hard work and dedication not only has had an impact on the daily lives of their students but has also been recognized at a state level.
The counseling team has received a CREST Award—Counselors Reinforcing Excellence for Students in Texas—which recognizes school counseling programs that support the personal, social, and academic well-being of students.
“After graduating two classes of students, the biggest impact that I have noticed from our program is the relationship building between counselors and students. Students have a safe space to talk and a space to grow as individuals,” Baker said.
Baker became a counselor at North Lake, which is located within a Dallas College campus, while pursuing her master’s degree at Dallas Baptist University. She found her passion for counseling after years of volunteer work in her community, eventually realizing she had a natural gift for supporting the academic needs of college bound students.
Hart said she knew from the beginning of her career that she wanted to be an educator and counselor. After growing up in West Dallas and witnessing firsthand how students often lacked access to opportunities, she said she was motivated to make a lasting impact in students’ lives.
“The award application looks at data for the school that we have collected as counselors,” Baker said. Programs are evaluated on their engagement with students and parents, program initiatives, and overall impact throughout the previous year.
The two counselors met while pursuing their master’s degrees and quickly became inseparable, deciding to pursue their doctoral degrees at Liberty University.
They balance the program with their individual specializations. Baker takes an academic approach to student support while Hart focuses on students’ social emotional needs. Together, they provide a full comprehensive service for their students.
“My focus is helping the kids that don’t have the background or the supportive expectations to succeed,” Hart said. “Here we focus on what they need to be successful in all realms—soft skills, academic skills and everything in between.”
Both counselors also are active leaders within their community.
As the president of the Dallas Association of Counselors, Hart supports Dallas ISD counselors at their campuses leading the organization in communication with district officials, often attending board meetings and advocating for change in the field.
Baker also plays a key role as the organization’s treasurer. The association offers a college scholarship each year, allowing counselors to apply for the award on behalf of graduating seniors at their school.
“We’ve been able to get a lot accomplished,” Hart said. “In the past we have advocated for counselors to be able to spend 80% of their time with students instead of on testing. We were pivotal in that policy change.”
Baker believes that great counselors are able to read the room and use discernment to gauge how to support and interact with their students. She believes it is a balancing act of knowing when to challenge students both academically and emotionally.
“I think discernment is more of a gift trait than a skill,” Baker said. “Counseling is a career you have to have a passion for. Even with education, nothing fully prepares you for the work. That is gained with experience.”
