Navarre HS guidance counselor sets example

When Carlisle Griffin began working as a guidance counselor at Navarre High School four years ago, she did so with some trepidation.

Griffin had worked as math teacher at the school and becoming a high school guidance counselor was new territory.

Santa Rosa County School Superintendent Tim Wyrosdick saw in Griffin something special and in the summer of 2007 called Griffin one weekend with a unique opportunity. He asked if she would consider filling the position of guidance counselor at Navarre High School.

“I can’t remember if it was a Saturday or Sunday, but he needed to know in 24 hours.” Griffin discussed the offer with her husband and made the decision to accept.

“I learned more that year than I have ever learned in my life and I probably worked harder,” Griffin said of her first year in the position. “I’ve come a long way from there, and I feel like especially these last four years as I finished my master’s degree, my guidance and counseling certification, there was a reason I needed to be at Navarre High School with these kids for four years.”

Now, Griffin is moving on again. She was promoted to assistant principal at Jay High School. Her experiences at Navarre High School will help her as she transitions into her new position at Jay High School, she said.

For more on this story, see the July 7 issue of the Navarre Press or subscribe online.