Graduate Faculty Focus | Laura Catulle

I recently retired from Frederick County Public Schools, where I worked as an elementary school counselor for more than 30 years. It was an incredibly rewarding career that I truly loved. Throughout my journey, I have also been actively involved in local, state and national counseling associations. I’ve served as a board member, president, past president and Western Regional Representative for the Maryland School Counseling Association.

Currently, I’m working to help strengthen connections between post-secondary institutions and the association. Now, I’m excited to be part of Hood College’s graduate counseling program, where I can share my experience and expertise with the next generation of school counselors.

I’ve been an adjunct at Hood College for the past seven years, and during that time, I’ve been very impressed with the program. The students we attract are dedicated and passionate, and the faculty bring a wealth of knowledge and experience. Hood truly has a welcoming, close-knit community feel. It really does feel like home. 

Being part of the Frederick community for so long, I’ve seen how central Hood is, and I’ve even participated in events and outreach over the years. Teaching here allows me to help bridge the gap between theory and real-world practice by sharing my experiences with students as they prepare to enter the field.

I’m especially passionate about the ASCA National Model and the structure it provides for school counseling programs. It ensures that our work is data-driven, comprehensive and focused on improving student outcomes. 

Beyond that, I’m very passionate about incorporating movement and expressive techniques into counseling. I believe that when students are actively engaged through methods like music, art, games or movement, it enhances their learning, focus and emotional connection. These approaches make counseling more meaningful and impactful for students.

I focus on building a strong foundation in the ASCA National Model so students understand how to design, implement and evaluate a comprehensive school counseling program. Beyond that, I strongly encourage them to seek out additional learning opportunities such as workshops, conferences and professional development. It’s important to stay current because the needs of students are constantly evolving. 

I also emphasize the importance of developing core counseling skills like empathy, active listening, communication and multicultural competence. These are essential for becoming an effective and compassionate school counselor.

I’ve had a very positive experience connecting with other faculty members through workshops and onboarding opportunities, where colleagues shared their career paths and expertise. These experiences helped me feel welcomed and part of the Hood community. 

I’ve also found the counseling faculty team to be incredibly supportive and collaborative. Whenever I have questions or need guidance, they are always quick to respond and willing to help. Their openness and willingness to share their knowledge have made my transition into a full-time faculty role much smoother, and I truly value being part of such a supportive team.

I encourage students to get involved in professional counseling associations early on, as this helps with both learning and networking. It’s also very valuable to spend time in schools by volunteering, job shadowing or engaging with school communities to better understand the day-to-day role of a school counselor. I recommend pursuing licensure pathways alongside the degree so you have more career flexibility, including opportunities outside of the school setting. Finally, build strong relationships with your peers in the program. These connections will become an important support system and professional network throughout your career.

Inspired by Profesor Catulle’s story? Ready to #GOFURTHER in your career? Learn more about Hood College’s graduate programs, including school counseling.