Panther Spotlight 5: Darlene Weatherley & Nicole True

Cabot Public Schools is proud to present, “Panther Spotlight.” This feature puts the spotlight on faculty and staff that are making a difference in the lives of our students every day. 

Throughout the school year, we'll recognize one outstanding certified and one outstanding classified employee. 

This week, “Panther Spotlight” is proud to recognize Eastside Elementary Registered Nurse Darlene Weatherley and Cabot Middle School South Guidance Counselor Nicole True.

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Name:  Darlene Weatherley

Title: Registered Nurse

How long have you been with Cabot School District?  7 years

Describe your job? Many people think the school nurse's job consist only of applying Band-Aids, giving medications, and sending home sick children. Although these things are still all true today, times have changed. We have many students in our district whom have a medical diagnosis who require a Registered Nurse. School nursing has now been defined as a specialized practice of professional nursing that advances the well-being, academic success, and life-long achievement of students.

What is it that you love about being a school nurse? Every day is a new adventure! The kids make coming to work fun! I also like the health teaching opportunities that come with being a school nurse. 

Why do you love working for the Cabot School District? I love working for Cabot School District for many reasons. I have three daughters who have or are presently attending Cabot Schools. I have seen firsthand the passionate commitment of caring teachers, administrators, and other staff and faculty who have been a huge part of my children's lives. I cannot imagine working for any other district. 

What is it that you love about Eastside Elementary? Eastside Elementary School's motto is “Eastside plus Love equals HOME”. The administrators, faculty, and staff at Eastside ensure and provide a safe, nurturing, positive environment where everyone is loved, valued, and successful.  

What did you do before working at the Cabot School District? Most of my nursing career has been working in the field of pediatrics.

Please share any memorable or favorite moments? I have had many memorable and favorite moments. Many are censored and I cannot share, but one of my most recent memorable moments that had a great ending was digging through the trash to look for a first grader's lost tooth. The tooth was found and this student's day was made! The smile on his face and his great big hug he gave me made my day too!

Have you ever had to deal with a huge medical emergency at school? I have had many playground injuries including broken teeth, arms, and ankles. I have also assisted several incidences with staff having medical emergencies. 

Why/How did you get into this field? Actually, I don't think I chose the career of being a nurse, it chose me. I grew up around nurses my entire life.  My father was part owner of his family owned nursing home and from a young age I admired many of the nurses who worked there. I watched my great-grandmother who founded the nursing home have compassion, love, and empathy for human life. This compassion was instilled in me at a very young age. I also had the most caring school nurse growing up that lead me to be have the desire to work in a school setting. 

If you weren't a nurse, what would you be? If I had not been a nurse, I would have chosen to be a Special Education Teacher. 

Being around so many kids everyday-how do you stay well? Fortunately, I am very seldom ever sick. I have built up a good immune system over the years. One of the reasons I think I stay well is that I wash my hands about 100 times a day and when I feel a cold coming on, I double up on Vitamin C.

  

Any advice for kids to stay healthy? One of my favorite quotes is, “Students must be healthy to be educated and educated to be healthy.”  

Please share a motto or saying you live by? A motto I live by is, “People may forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”  

Can you share a fun fact about yourself? I love comedy and humor!!  In fact, I have watched all of the “Madea” movies at least five times each!

What is something someone would be surprised to know about you? I love to pretend that I can do an auctioneer chant and someday I want to go to auctioneer school.

What do you do in your spare time? In my spare time, I love and enjoy being outside! Whether it is working in my yard or enjoying a camping or float trip with my family.

Anything else you'd like to add? I feel so fortunate to work with a team of 19 nurses in our district. Cabot is so fortunate to have a Registered Nurse in every school building. 

Jill Fletcher, Eastside Principal: “Nurse Darlene has a heart of gold! She is very patient and calm no matter the situation. She will help any student, staff or parent that comes to her office no matter the concern! Nurse Darlene is gentle and caring with any and every problem that comes into her office. There are many days that she has a full office and she continues to smile and give each student the attention they need. Most of all, Nurse Darlene brings great comfort and joy to our kids, staff and parents.”

Vonda Morgan, Nursing Coordinator: “Nurse Darlene has a huge heart! She is very kind and compassionate and has created a safe and loving environment for her students. She has shown excellence in forming relationships with students, parents and staff and she always has a smile on her face. We are truly blessed to have Nurse Darlene Weatherley as a Proud Panther School Nurse!”

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Name: Nicole True

Title: Middle School Counselor 

How long have you been with the Cabot School District? This is my 15th school year in the Cabot School District. 

Please describe your job. Counselor. Teacher. Nurse. Tour Guide. Administrator. Peace Keeper. Concierge. Problem Solver. As a school counselor, it is not uncommon to wear many hats. I love that in the counseling center no two days are exactly the same. A school counselor never really knows who will walk in her office next or what the day may bring. I truly believe that I have the best job on campus. I am entrusted to care and advocate for my students. I help my students meet their academic, personal, social, and emotional needs. I see students on an individual or group basis and also visit classrooms offering classroom guidance lessons to help students grow socially and emotionally. I teach students positive coping strategies. I help students learn to see the best in themselves. At times, I provide crisis and grief support if needed. I also assist with various administrative tasks such as 504's, testing, and referrals for special services. You may also find me assisting with various special events at our school and in our community.  

What is it that you love about being a guidance counselor? I love that I have the opportunity to be a positive role model for young people. I also love helping students learn strategies to help them succeed in the classroom and in life. It is a privilege to watch students grow into the best version of themselves.   

Why do you love working for the Cabot School District? To me, the Cabot School District is like one big family that always supports one another. Cabot puts students first and supports staff with whatever we need to help students succeed. It is a privilege to serve in such an innovative and well-respected district.  

What is it that you love about CMSS? I love working with the staff at CMSS. This group goes above and beyond every day to get to know students and their families, build relationships, and make sure that the middle school experience is memorable for all kids. Oh, and my CMSS people know how to cook! They are always trying to feed me something! 

What did you do before working at the Cabot School District? Before working for Cabot Schools, I held a variety of jobs while in college. I worked at Dixie Café, a bank, a florist, and also did billing work for Entergy.  

Please share any memorable or crazy moments you have experienced. One of the most memorable moments of my career was back when I was a counselor at Cabot High School and I was presented with a “Life Impact Diploma” from a very dear student who was graduating at the time.  A crazy moment . . . there are too many to count!  The one that comes to mind would have to be the time I was called to the office and served a subpoena (work related) and it happened to be on Frontier Festival Day.  I was dressed up in my frontier costume, complete with a bonnet, when I was served. 

Why did you get into this field? After several years of teaching junior high and high school English, it was apparent that I was a teacher that students would often seek, confide in, and ask for guidance. I enjoyed visiting with these students and listening to them. As someone who is naturally empathetic and likes to help others, I decided that I would use my gifts to pursue a career in school counseling. 

If you weren't a school counselor, what would you be? That is a tough one. I can't imagine doing anything else. When I was younger I considered going to law school, so maybe I would have been a lawyer?   

What are some of the challenges and joys that school counselors face? School counselors face many challenges. It can be difficult watching students go through very difficult things and not always be able to protect them from tough situations. School counselors often ride a roller coaster of emotions throughout the day depending on what is going on at school and in their students' lives. We often worry about our students and their well-being even when we go home at night to our own families. Sometimes we feel like there aren't enough hours in the day to take care of our students and also take care of our other job-related responsibilities. 

Being a school counselor is probably one of the most rewarding careers one could ever imagine. We have the opportunity to meet and connect with students in a positive way. There is nothing like walking up and down the hall and seeing your students lining up to go out to recess, smiling, saying hello, and giving you high fives as you walk by. It is amazing when you have worked with a challenging student for quite a while and then you see that he finally “gets it,” has improved his behavior, and used those positive coping strategies you have helped him develop. The joy comes from the “I love my school counselor” cards and posters you get from your students during counselor appreciation week or the “thank you” email you get from a parent whose child you helped. The real joy comes when your students come back to visit you and share their successes with you. Those moments remind you that your purpose is to help others be their very best. 

  

Please share a motto or saying you live by? One of my favorite sayings is “It is nice to be important, but it is more important to be nice.” 

Can you please share a fun fact about yourself? I never had a real nickname until a few years ago. Some dear friends of mine decided that it was a shame that I made it to adulthood without a nickname, so they nicknamed me “Coco.” The nickname stuck and now my family (even one of my nephews) calls me this. 

What is something someone would be surprised to know about you? I think people would be surprised to know that I am super competitive about most things, especially sports.  

What do you like to do in your spare time? When I am not in the counseling center, I enjoy being a mom and taking my children to their various activities. I also enjoy coffee, cooking, running, reading, watching sports, doing volunteer work, and the very rare spa day.

Anything else you'd like to add? My husband of 14 years, John, and I are both graduates of Cabot High School. Several years ago we decided to live in Cabot because we know our children will receive an excellent education here like we did. I feel blessed to be part of Cabot School District and this community. 

Casey Hanna, CMSS Principal: “Nicole True is an exceptional counselor. When it comes to the students she is servicing, she takes into account all aspects of the whole child--health, safety, school engagement, as well as supporting and challenging the student at the same time. Mrs. True listens not only to the students, but listens to parents and their concerns as well as those of our teachers and staff. Middle School South is blessed to have Mrs. Nicole True as a part of the team representing a R.E.A.L. Panther every day!”

Terena Woodruff, Director of Counseling: "Whether compassionately assisting students and families or actively seeking to improve her own skills, Nicole strives help others. Her optimism and hard work inspire those around her."

Congratulations Mrs. Weatherley and Mrs. True on being our Panther Spotlight honorees.