1. Where are you from? 
Born and raised in Kennewick, Washington—Central Washington. 

2. Why counseling?
I got my undergrad in psychology at Central Washington University. I thought I wanted to be a lawyer and I started on that track. And when I was going through my courses I kind of excelled in my psychology classes and I really made connections with those professors. From a young age, I have always been someone that people came to naturally. So I think it was just a good fit that I didn't really discover until I was exploring options in college. So I got my degree in psychology and after I graduated I wasn't sure of what I wanted to do. I had applied to a school for forensic psychology. It interested me and I thought it would be a fun job with many of my professors suggesting the school psychology route. So I got my masters in school psychology and I started working as a school psychologist in the Seattle, Tacoma area. 

3. Where were you before SAS?
I worked as a school psychologist for about six or seven years school psychologist in the Seattle, Tacoma area and I really loved it. Some pretty tragic things in my life found me at a crossroad. I needed a big, positive, and productive change. Within a two week period, I decided I wanted to move internationally, applied and accepted a job at the Canadian International School of Beijing in China. 

4. How did you get to SAS?
I was visiting Singapore for a conference in November 2016 and when I got here I thought I could live here. I really enjoyed it. Soon a position was available at SAS, but I was nervous to apply because they were hiring a full counselor. However, my background is in school psychology. After much encouragement from a friend, I sent in my application and received an offer right before I was leaving for winter break, setting the trajectory for my holidays. 

5. What did you think of SAS when you first came here?
It’s fun to work with people from the same state and have that common ground. There are so many Americans here. I felt so welcomed coming here. I am excited for the next two years and hopefully more that I will be spending here. 

6. Your favorite thing about being a school psychologist/counselor.
In Seattle, I was a school psychologist and spent the bulk of my time with middle schoolers. When I first started I thought I want to be either at elementary school or at high school. In my mind, elementary is when kids are just starting. And high school is when we’re transitioning them for life beyond school. Middle school to me was that middle ground where I was going be using other people’s information and taking reports that other people have written and trying to expand on them. However, what I found was that middle schoolers go through a lot of changes and all of them are a little bit neurotic and crazy at that age. 

I got to work with the ones that are on the top of that normal craziness. I really admired that age group. In my time in Beijing I found there is something that I appreciate about all age levels. 

7. What’s summer like for Mr. Elmo?
I went home last summer and had the opportunity to meet up with a large group of college friends—friends I hadn't seen in seven to 10 years. And I realized that these people will always be in my life and I don't need to be there physically for these friendships to stay strong. I have a group of people that I have met in Beijing. People that are going to be a part of my life forever. I have met people in Singapore that I know will be lifelong friends. It's a move that I am really thankful for. I cannot thank the administration enough for giving me this opportunity and it’s one where I will grow and learn and thrive. I know that if I don’t have the right answer there are amazing people to show me the way.

8. Memories.
I have a handful of memories of students that will always be on my mind. My very first student who had a significant behavior plan during my internship. I think about her all the time. She trained me on how to deal with students with significant behavioral issues and I’ll always compare her to other students. 

When I think about the plans that I wrote for her and the time I spent trying to create a system that would work for her, I started to learn how to make things appropriate for individual students. 

Through the years there are always ones that stand out. The amazing thing about this job is you never really know how impactful you've been. 

9. As a counselor, how do you see yourself?
A lot of my responsibility is to make meaningful relationships with students so that they know that I have their back and they can come to me for anything and I am going to stay with them until their problem is solved. That's how I see my role. 

10. What's a perfect day for you? 
I love adventure and being active so my perfect day wouldn't always look the same. I could be playing volleyball, tennis, or some other outdoor sport. I could be exploring new sections of Singapore or lounging by the pool listening to music. I am all about having experiences that don't have to be "perfect." I enjoy that life isn't perfect, and that imperfection makes it fun. 

11. Now that you've been here a while, what's your favorite hangout/food in Singapore?
I actually quite like ION Orchard and navigating the sea of people that can accumulate. I enjoy getting off the MRT and getting lost underground but still being able to shop. I still don't know how to navigate that area and always find something new. My favorite food is stingray—it's rare that I eat at a hawker and not order stingray. 

12. We hear you are part of a band at SAS. What do you do and who do you play with?
I am not a part of a band but I have had the opportunity to sing with The Cans on several occasions and with One Degree North at the SAS holiday party. Both bands are spectacular and I was honored to get to share the stage with them!

13. Top three-pointers for parents of elementary school children on raising culturally competent kids.
I think growing up in an international school setting sets kids up to already be culturally aware. Three things parents can do to continue to help foster cultural competence are

• EXPOSURE! Although they are exposed to individuals from culturally diverse backgrounds on a daily basis, taking this further in regards to the food you make at home, the music you listen to, the books you read, and even the friendships you make. Keeping them exposed to diverse cultures will definitely help them be culturally competent.
• Be prepared to talk about prejudice and acceptance. I believe all of us are prejudice. It is difficult not to prejudge things, situations, or people and the media plays a role in this. It is important that we are aware of our tendency toward prejudice and to challenge our thinking.
• Lead by example. Ensuring that your cultural competence is strong will help better provide a model for your children to emulate.