Benjamin Butler. Photo by Ericka Fermon.
Benjamin Butler. Photo by Ericka Fermon.
Benjamin Butler is a new adjustment counselor at Malden High. His room is located on the second floor of the Jenkins House.
Butler got his degree in social work in 2001 and worked at the Linden-STEAM Academy as an adjustment counselor for the last ten years. He explains that he really wanted to gain some experience with working with older students so he came to work at MHS. When asked what it is like to work at MHS he replied “[it has] been great so far,” he says he has really enjoyed working here at MHS.
“I have met some amazing students and I have reconnected with some students that I knew when they were in second and third grade when I was at Linden.” He continues to explain that he already knows some of the challenges all high school students are facing these days.
“Mostly I just want to be as helpful as I can to the students and their families and I really enjoy hearing all the personal stories students have to tell about their lives,” explaining that this is what motivated him to be an adjustment counselor to the students.
Butler hopes to make as many connections with the teachers, students, and their families as he can in the upcoming months. He would like to hear more from students about how the counseling department can be better at helping the students so that they can make the improvements needed to benefit and help students in a more efficient way.
Butler shares that during his free time he plays hockey, and enjoys playing music. He can also even play a couple of instruments such as the guitar and mandolin. Butler is a family man as he really enjoys spending time with his family during his free time as well. He continues to share that he is a morning person, so his favorite time of day is in the early morning when he makes a plan for the day.
When asked what he wishes for the students and teachers of MHS to think of when they hear the words “school adjustment counselor,” he replies “[he] would hope that they think of counseling as a calm and safe place of additional emotional help to students.”
Butler is passionate about his job and sincerely cares about every student’s emotional health and well being. He is someone you can go to and feel comfortable to talk when feeling stressed about school life or having difficulty in your social and home life.
