Meet Jeff Ream

Jeff Ream
School Counselor
North Tahoe High School (CA)

What drew you to the world of college admission counseling?
I often share with students who are grappling with their post-high school plans my own winding journey. I didn’t start out in education during college; I began as an aerospace engineering major. After navigating several years of challenging calculus, dynamics, and technical writing courses (which is as fun as it sounds), my path took some twists and turns. Through struggle, failure, and recalibration, I realized — much to the relief of anyone flying — that perhaps designing aircraft wasn’t my calling.

With both parents being retired educators, I was well aware of the tangible and intangible impacts of working with students. However, I knew that being a classroom teacher didn’t quite align with my personality. So, I asked myself: What other roles in the educational spectrum are still cool?

Enter school counseling.

From that moment, my journey shifted, and it continues to this day. As a high school counselor, I get to be creative, compassionate, and collaborative, connecting students to their current successes and future opportunities. While my role encompasses much more than just college admissions counseling, I find it mirrors the holistic perspectives and approaches used by those on “the other side of the desk.” My unique experiences allow me to bring fresh insights into our work.

Supporting the whole person is what I love most, and being a high school counselor gives me the space to do that every day.

What is your favorite part of the job?
There are many aspects of my job that I love, but one that truly stands out is helping students make connections that aren’t immediately obvious — without stealing their epiphany. Students need those “A-HA!” moments, and sometimes we risk diminishing their discoveries by revealing too much too soon. Being part of their journey, including the struggles, is incredibly rewarding. Watching them piece things together and witnessing that spark of realization is what makes this work so fulfilling.

How has NACAC played a role in your career?
Although I haven’t yet had the opportunity to attend a NACAC conference, I’ve gained immensely from its publications, the NACAC Engage listserv, and the virtual trainings and courses I’ve participated in over the years. If I had to highlight just one thing that has significantly helped me in the past decade, it would be discovering the “Recs that Change Lives” session slides from the 2017 NACAC Conference. Adopting the organized narrative approach to letter writing has saved me days each fall when working with seniors. With a little ChatGPT magic to scaffold my writing, I now have more time for meaningful conversations with my students.

NACAC serves as the college admissions PLC (professional learning community) that I don’t readily have access to as a rural high school counselor. When I’m stumped by a question, need advice, or want a second opinion, a NACAC resource, listserv, or member is the first place I turn.

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing our profession today?

That’s a loaded question! As I write this, some of our students are sitting for the PSAT — which might be coloring my thoughts — but I genuinely believe that the college admission process has become too cumbersome and complex for the average high school student and family to navigate.

While we’ve made strides in streamlining processes — like expanding options on the Common App, digitizing documentation, and hopefully improving the FAFSA once the bugs are squashed — we’ve also taken steps backward.

Consider the ever-expanding “potpourri” of testing requirements, the botched FAFSA update last year, the rising costs of higher education, and the increasing pressures placed on the K-12 end of the spectrum (test coordination and proctoring, anyone?). All these factors contribute to a system that demands us to “do more” with the same finite time and often diminishing resources.

Boiling it down, I’d say the biggest challenge is the constant expectation to do more with less — a juggling act that stretches our capacity and impacts our ability to effectively support our students.

When you aren’t working, what do you like to do?
When I’m not at work, I’m in full “dad mode” wrangling my three energetic boys, who range from preschool to elementary school — a bit like herding cats but with more snack requests and Lego-stepping hazards. Food shopping has become an art form! But amid the chaos, I love stepping into the role of “Chef Jeff” for my family. Cooking allows me to express my creativity and bring everyone together around the dinner table.

I also let my geeky side shine by collaborating with my state counseling association. I help produce our annual conferences, making the general sessions engaging and impactful. It’s a rewarding way to combine my technical skills with my passion for education, all while contributing to a community I care deeply about.

What five words would you use to describe yourself?
Creative, logical, talented, stubborn, intellectual.

 

Published Oct. 28, 2024