Features

Bridging the gap

Liston Aiken - File

GUIDANCE COUNSELLOR LISTON Aiken enjoys his job to the fullest. And, if you ask him it is probably one of the first things you will be told.

"Guidance counselling bridges the gap between the student and teacher. Or sometimes between the home and school. It is a kind of position that allows you to deal with people and I must say I enjoy doing it," he said.

Mr Aiken is guidance counsellor at the Gaynstead High School located on Central Avenue in Swallowfield, St. Andrew. It is a position he has held for three years.

He adds that the position also gives him a different view of the school. He said the position helps him to see students differently than if he was a normal teacher imparting knowledge to students. He explained that a guidance counsellor more often than not got deeper into the lives of students especially at home to find out what problems they may have.

"You have to become that link between them and the teachers and that is one of the good things about the job because you are able to bring both together and make things work for the better," he said.

Mr Aiken who started out at Swallowfield All Age explained that in addition to being a hub position he has had to help in the development of students and also staff training.

Rewarding experience

"It's a position where you have to plan preventative programmes and identify students with special problems and help them to overcome those problems," he told THE STAR.

He said he has had at least one rewarding experience since he started counselling.

"I remember once I saw a student looking very sad. I called her over and I learnt that her sister had been shot. We spent two hours talking and after that I was drained and I felt drained. I remember that the lady came and said thanks after everything. Even when she went abroad she called and said thanks. And, even now she still calls to say thank you," he said.

Still, Mr. Aiken believes a part of the reason he is a guidance counsellor is because he was born with a talent to counsel others.

"I have that gift to help people in the field and its an opportunity to make people's lives better," he said.

While not sure for how much longer he will continue as a guidance counsellor, he has no intention of giving up counselling.

"I hope to do it for a while although it might be lecturing or in the field of human resources. I might also lecture but I hope to be always counselling as I have always counselled people. I do it otherwise as a pastor so it is a part of me," he said.