December 2024 Winner - Deanna Rush:(Union High School)
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Meridian Star Article
Deanna Rush has been named the Golden Apple Teacher of the Month. With 25 years in education, she has served as both a principal and an English teacher, but she says being a counselor is her true calling.
"What I love about being a counselor, compared to being a teacher, is that as a teacher, you only have your students for a semester or a year," Rush explains. "As a counselor, I get to build lasting relationships with them throughout high school. I spend more time with them as juniors and seniors, but that connection starts in ninth and tenth grade. I love being a consistent presence in their lives."
Each day as a counselor brings something new. "Whatever I plan for the day usually gets pushed aside based on who walks through my door—whether it's a student or a staff member who needs support," she says. "Some students need supplies like deodorant or toothpaste. Others just need a hug. My job is to meet those needs, whatever they may be. No two days are the same."
When counseling students who are considering becoming teachers, Rush offers honest advice. "I'm realistic with them. I tell them there will be tough days," she says. "But then I ask them to think about someone who's impacted their life beyond family—it's almost always a teacher. I remind them teaching is a calling. It's a ministry. If they feel drawn to it, they shouldn't run from that. They have the power to change a child's life—not just for a moment, but forever."
