Parkway North’s Guidance Secretaries Serve North’s Students
We see them at work in the guidance office. They answer our basic questions, as well as those from parents, principals, and counselors. But do we really know our secretaries and what they do?
“I assist five counselors, and I’m the liaison,” said guidance secretary LaToya Barry, who helps Parkway North’s students’ registration process by sending transcripts and communicating with other liaisons throughout the district.
Barry, who has been working at North for three years, stated that she wanted to be a counselor because she enjoys working with kids.
“I enjoy talking to you all,” said Barry. Communicating with high school students helps her keep up with the latest topics and slang when talking to her two younger sisters. Barry also said, “I enjoy being busy; it makes the day go fast.”
College secretary Linda Gatti has been working as North’s college secretary for six years.
“I work hand in hand with Mrs. Wills and Mr. Arthur about kids’ post high school plans,” said Gatti.
Gatti’s favorite part about her job is being able to work with students who, at the beginning of the year, have no idea as to what they want to do, but eventually come to a decision about their next plans in life.
“I thought I would be just a support [for the principals],” Gatti said. “As my job has grown, so has my involvement with parents and students.”
Secretaries can be fairly busy; their job requires them to multitask a lot. They still manage to get some free time, but even outside of school, the secretaries spend their spare time devoted to other people.
“I spend most of my time following my son who’s a football player at University of Missouri and my daughter who’s a softball player at Truman State,” said Gatti.
Barry spends time coaching North’s step team and walking her “daughter”—a Yorkie by the name of Lady Love Barry.
To encourage students to take all four years of their high school career seriously, Gatti said, “As freshmen, it seems post high school plans are far away, but everything you do [in high school]… will affect you after.”
By: Monyelle Asher Staff Writer