Celebrating National School Counselor Week with Hamilton County Schools
February 5, 2025 - If you step into Mrs. Amick’s office at Sale Creek Middle/High School, you’ll find more than just a desk and some paperwork. You’ll see an amazingly cozy room with a zen garden, small crocheted animals gifted by her mother, and a wall covered in photos from her travels. But more than anything, you’ll feel something special—a sense of warmth, understanding, and trust.
Mrs. Amick isn't just any school counselor; she's a warm, caring person who tries to make a difference in every student's life. She knows middle school is tough. She remembers it well—struggling with grades, friendships, and all the confusing emotions that come with growing up. That’s why she became the counselor she once needed. “I didn’t have a strong school counselor when I was in middle school,” Mrs. Amick shares. “I wanted to be the person I wished I had.”
Now, in her third year at Sale Creek, Mrs. Amick has created a space where students know they are heard and supported. She listens to their worries, celebrates their wins, and helps them navigate the tricky path of growing up. Some days, she’s helping students work through conflicts with friends. Other days, she’s guiding them through family struggles or tough emotions they don’t know how to handle.
Mrs. Amick builds trust with the students by being open and honest so that they know they can be the same back. “I'm very transparent with families and kids. And I follow through. If I say I'm going to do something, I do. And if I fail to do something, I own it immediately.” With her demonstrating it as well she hopes the students walk away with the ability to also take ownership of their actions. “Own your mistakes, learn from them, and move forward,” she tells them. She believes in tough love, but it’s always wrapped in care.
But Mrs. Amick’s support goes beyond just talking—she takes the time to connect with every single student, even those who don’t regularly visit her office. Twice a year, she conducts mini check-ins, pulling each student aside for a few minutes to ask about their goals, struggles, and overall well-being. These moments allow her to build trust, offer encouragement, and ensure no student slips through the cracks. “Even if they never come to see me on their own, I still get to meet with them at least twice a year,” she says. “It helps me know them beyond just a name and a face.”
One of the most rewarding moments of her job? Seeing growth. “I take in these sixth graders, and they are babies. They don’t know who they are yet,” she says with a smile. “And by the time they’re in eighth grade, I see them becoming leaders, problem-solvers, and more confident in themselves. That’s what makes it all worth it.”
Looking ahead, Mrs. Amick is excited for a special milestone—seeing her first group of students graduate high school. “I started with my current eighth grade in middle school, and one day I’ll get to watch them walk across the stage as seniors,” she says. “That’s going to be an emotional moment.”
Mrs. Amick also finds joy in the little things—like when students realize she has a life outside of school. They’re shocked when they learn she goes hiking, practices yoga, used to play roller derby, and travels as much as she can. “I love it when they see me as a real person,” she laughs. “It opens up conversations and builds relationships in unexpected ways.”
And then there’s Maple—Mrs. Amick’s therapy dog, who joins her at school twice a week. “She’s the best,” she says proudly. “Kids who are having a bad day will just light up when they see her. Even students who used to be scared of dogs have started to warm up to her. She brings so much joy to the school.”
Mrs. Amick isn’t just a school counselor. She’s a mentor, a supporter, and sometimes even a student’s biggest cheerleader. She reminds them they are capable, worthy, and never alone. And that is exactly what makes her so special to Sale Creek Middle/High School.
Happy National School Counselor Week, Mrs. Amick! Sale Creek is lucky to have you and Maple. 💙🐾