Susie Brown – Counselor at Mercer Island High School

Job Description: Susie works with four other counselors at the high school to help students make decisions about high school program needs as well as post high school plans. Most MIHS students attend college, but some choose technical schools, art school or taking a “gap” year to travel or work. On average with five counselors, each counselor works with about 280 students.

Location: Mercer Island High School

Typical Day: There isn’t one. Susie’s door is always open to students, parents and staff. In the fall, she manages freshmen registration and presents students with the “high school and beyond plan.” She helps students fill in the on-line plan, which includes a personality test and interest survey. She also works with college counselor Mj Hillstrom to assist students with the college selection process. Another important part of Susie’s job is helping students, staff and parents with crisis management and referrals.

Best part of the job: “The kids! I tell people I have 350 children. I love them all.”

Something people may not know: In 2004 Susie was diagnosed with cancer and has been fighting the disease ever since. She says, “I truly believe that the Mercer Island community and my students, families and colleagues are one reason I am still here. Everyone rallied around me – families helped me with grocery shopping and meals; my students took me to chemotherapy sessions and to the hospital. One family even volunteered to send me to Texas for treatment! This is a very special community.”

Years worked in the district: 18 years. Susie grew up on Mercer Island and in Bellevue. Before coming to MIHS, Susie worked for six years as a social studies and English teacher at Kennewick High School.

Outside interests: Susie enjoys learning new things and traveling, especially to Brazil. She is involved with the Quero Ser Institute in Brazil and the Stoneflower Foundation in Seattle to help Brazilian kids from “barrios” get access to a quality education and adequate medical care. She and teacher Patrick Rigby at Crest Learning Center are working on a partnership with the Quero Ser Institute and Mercer Island High School to engage high school students in learning about Brazilian life and culture. In her spare time, Susie teaches ESL at night to Portuguese-speaking immigrants.