She Joins Academy One at T.C. Williams

Araceli Quino Acho

Mekaila Tucker joined T.C. Williams staff as a counselor at Academy One and the Satellite Campus. Tucker and her husband moved to Alexandria at the end of last year.

Before arriving at T.C., Tucker involved herself in administrative work and schooling while working overseas in Nicaragua. She worked for an organization that taught English and other subjects to young people from ages three to 22. Tucker also worked for a staffing company and a refugee office.

While studying for her Master’s, Tucker did an internship at T.C. and fell in love with the school. “Not only is the staff great, but the counseling department and the team is great too,” said Tucker, “I loved the diversity of this school.” Tucker herself grew up in diverse district, so “T.C. felt just like home” she said.

Growing up, Tucker’s experience with school counselors so was less than ideal, so she devoted herself to being an “ear for someone to listen to,” she said. “I love helping young people, it excites me every time I get to think about someone walking across the stage or going on to their future careers,” said Tucker, “[I want] to help students accomplish what they want to accomplish.”

Tucker has many roles in the school, including checking seniors’ academic progress, and providing emotional and social support to the students she serves.  Tucker’s main goal as a counselor is “making sure that I am a safe place for students to come to.”

By high school, students are at the edge of adulthood, and yet, some students are still not taken seriously or heard. One important aspect of counseling is “to validate and let students know that their opinions, their ideas, their thoughts, their emotions, everything that they are going through is completely valid and it is heard and it is important,” said Tucker.

To her seniors, Tucker said, “Do not be afraid of new challenges because those new challenges will allow you to grow, and growth– even though it can be scary– is necessary and important. Always be open to learning and new experiences.”