Leaping from dance to counseling: An unexpected journey to inspire students

My childhood was defined by dance. Every time I stepped into the studio, it felt like entering a magical world where each movement had meaning, and every turn felt like flying. Dance was my way of speaking without words, expressing emotions my heart and soul understood. From an early age, I knew I wanted to be a dancer. My parents supported that dream, and I pursued my passion, studying dance in college.

After graduation, I continued my dance journey, eventually becoming the Director of Dance at a local performing arts high school. While professionally successful and fulfilled, I struggled financially. I knew I needed to make a change, but I wasn’t sure how. Then, one day, I found a flyer in my school mailbox for a traveling scholars’ program at the University of Florida, offering a master’s degree in school counseling. I immediately saw the connection—my dance students often came to me for guidance, and this degree could both increase my salary and help me better support them. So, I took a “leap” of faith and went for it. 

At UF, I met Dr. Robert Myrick, whose passion for school counseling changed the course of my career. I told him early on that I would never leave dance, but his enthusiasm for counseling drew me in. At the time, I had no idea he was a pioneer in school counseling, but soon, I found myself deeply inspired by his teachings. These unexpected turns in my career journey have shaped the way I guide my students now. I strive to help them nurture their passions, pursue their dreams, and navigate life’s twists and turns. Life often presents unforeseen challenges, but I encourage them to see these moments as opportunities for growth and paths leading to experiences they never imagined.

In 2022, I was honored with the Ripple Effect Award by The Barancik Foundation for my positive impact on students. With the $5,000 grant, I wanted to continue creating meaningful change. It was important for me to do something that would continue to create ripples in my school community of over 1,300 students and their families. This award set me on yet another unexpected journey that has been so fulfilling for me personally and professionally. This journey resulted in me obtaining a new partner in my school counseling practice: Winston, a therapy dog who comes to school with me.

Winston is a true magic maker, transforming the school environment into a positive and supportive space that nurtures students' emotional well-being. He helps to reduce stress and anxiety, offering comfort during challenging times with his calm and non-judgmental presence. This creates an atmosphere where students feel safe to open up and seek help when needed. Together, Winston and I have developed interventions that cultivate empathy, responsibility, trust, and positive behavior changes. His presence on campus fosters a sense of safety and connection, enriching students' mental health and enhancing their academic performance.

My journey as a school counselor has been filled with twists and turns, each one offering exciting opportunities to grow and strengthen my ability to support students in learning, thriving, and achieving success. Being selected as the 2025 ASCA School Counselor of the Year is not only an incredible honor but also the most thrilling adventure of my career thus far. I am eager to embrace the challenges and lessons this recognition will bring, and I look forward to weaving these new experiences into my practice to further empower and inspire the students I serve.

Carmen Larson, Ph.D, is a middle school counselor at Sarasota Middle School in Sarasota, Florida. She was the 2024 Florida School Counselor of the Year and is the 2025 National School Counselor of the Year.