Megan Zahorec-Deierling decided to become a school counselor to help students and their families work through life’s challenges and changes.
Today, she is a licensed professional school counselor and a licensed professional counselor at North Canton City Schools.
“As a school counselor, every day is something different, with new challenges and successes, and this is something that I love about my job,” she said. “I provide classroom lessons on social emotional learning to students, conduct small-group counseling lessons with a specific focus, such as social skills or coping strategies, and meet with students in individual counseling sessions.
“I currently work with students ages 8 to 11. What I love about this age group is that they are old enough to begin to understand some of the broader implications of their choices and path, yet still able and most times willing to make positive changes and to be able to get on the right path.”
Zahorec-Deierling, 39, has been married for 11 years to Justin Deierling. They have two children, Mitchell, 10, and Miranda, 8.
“I am a huge animal lover and have many pets, including two dogs, a cat, guinea pigs, and a small outdoor pond with fish and a turtle,” she said. “One of my dogs, Chase, is a female German shepherd and a therapy dog who comes to school with me.”
Zahorec-Deierling received her bachelor’s degree from Baldwin Wallace University, majoring in psychology with a minor in sociology. She also has a master’s degree in school counseling from Kent State University and completed post-master’s level coursework at Malone University to become a licensed professional counselor.
“After graduating with my bachelor’s degree, I worked in clinic, home and school settings with children with autism, helping to carry out behavioral plans and interventions for these students,” she said. “It was during my time at the school that I realized my passion was in education and in school settings. Instead of carrying out behavioral plans, I yearned to know more about the students and their families and how these individual traits and situations affected what was going on at school.”
Do you have a particular philosophy for your teaching?
One of the most important aspects of my job is the relationship I have with students, staff, and families. I follow a person-centered approach in my work.
Research supports that the relationship a person has with their counselor is the most important indicator of success in counseling. Forming a positive relationship with my students and their families is of utmost importance to me.
Unconditional positive regard is something I strive to have. This means acceptance of the child and a willingness to support him or her through whatever challenge or obstacle is present. Unconditional positive regard does not mean an acceptance of everything a person does, rather it is an acceptance and openness toward the person and a willingness to support no matter what.
What is the “Start with Hello” program?
Start with Hello is recognized nationally as a week where schools focus on the importance of friendships and community.
Each day of the week, the morning announcement focuses on specific ways that the students and staff can show each other kindness and help to make all feel included. We do fun activities, such as giving each student and staff name tags and encouraging students to say hello to someone they do not know or sit or talk with someone different at lunch or on the playground.
We also encourage students to think about and talk to the trusted adults they have in their lives, whether this is at home or at school. This is a district-wide event and the whole district is encouraged to wear green on a particular day to bring awareness to this week.
Why did you want to be a part of the program?
Making students feel included and a part of the school is something that we strive to do every day of the year. The week provides some concrete activities and examples for students to help them to do this.
The week also reminds us as adults how important these relationships are about taking the time to notice the students who may need some extra attention. It is a good reminder of the importance of kindness to each other in general.
What are your favorite holiday sweets?
My favorite holiday sweet would be fun holiday coffees. Not much cheers me up more than a good cup of coffee, and I do enjoy the fun holiday flavors and specialty drinks coffee shops usually have around this time.
Do you prefer a white Christmas or a warm holiday?
Although the snow is beautiful, my favorite type of weather is warm weather. I love being outside and walking, so I really appreciate those rare, warmer winter days in Ohio.
Editor’s note: Five questions with … is a Sunday feature that showcases a member of the Stark County community. If you’d like to recommend someone to participate, send an email to newsroom@cantonrep.com.