The Graduation Coach

About the Book

I have always been a bit outspoken; I like to think of myself as just being direct. I must justifiably state that my actions were, in part, due to my distaste for unfair treatment of people and hypocrisy. I moved to a small town in Georgia from a city up north, and the culture shock in itself was dramatic. For instance, upon speaking out at a board of education meeting about the lack of student academic achievement, I discovered parents were in an uproar over cheerleading. Huh! This is in a town where sports often meant more than a good education; that is, of course, until the season is over. But I digress. After this meeting, one of the assistant superintendents approached me and asked if I would consider representing the district at a state meeting and provide a parent’s perspective. Of course, I said yes. This is the point in which God opens the door; I rode to the meeting with a faculty member, and during the two-hour drive, we both became aware that my new landlord was her father. Well, that gave us a lot to talk about, and ultimately, she became my manager in a position where I would be required to help students remain in school and graduate. This was familiar and fulfilling ground for me because I had just closed my NJ business, a business in which I worked with at-risk students. I must love young people because my salary was slashed by 65 percent, but I saw it as a door to a new career. Honestly, I needed an income since I no longer had my business, and helping others was something I enjoyed doing. I was in the midst of obtaining my BS degree in Psychology, and this position would give me another level of hands-on experience so that I could move into individual counseling once I completed school with my master’s degree.

About the Author

Tara Spates, a naturally skilled counselor, practiced her successful counseling skills in a rural Georgia high school. She created a community-based initiative called Women Motivating Women, where ladies are encouraged to be their best and, in turn, encourage their children to do the same. She now lives in South Orange, New Jersey, with her daughter, who currently lives in China, and her son, who is completing his senior year of college and seeking a career in law enforcement. This is her first novel depicting her life’s experiences as a school counselor.