Photo by Peyton Mack
From being a 3 a.m. paperboy on the streets of Salem Oregon, to working construction and as a courier for an account firm in Spokane Washington. Now Ryan Marshall is a counselor at South Salem High School. Marshall has been a school counselor for 11 years and for nine of those years he has been counseling at South.
“Prior to South, I worked at Cheney High School in Cheney Washington as a high school counselor and prior to that, I worked at an Alternative high school in Post Falls Idaho as a school counselor, and also spent a year as a counselor in their kinder center for 475 kindergarten students,” Marshall said.
University
Marshall graduated from Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington and majored in Speech Communication as well as minored in Leadership Studies. The reason Marshall wanted to become a counselor was because he wants to continue to be a trusting figure in students’ lives.
“I am the fortunate product of several key people who spoke truth and wisdom in my life as I grew up. The opportunity to pay that forward is unparalleled and something I do not ever take for granted,” Marshall said.
Favorite Part of the Job
One of the best parts about Marshall’s job is how he is able to connect with students and help them build confidence in themselves as well as helping them choose where they want to go in life.
“This is my dream job, no question. I love the opportunity on a daily basis to connect with students and hold up a mirror to allow you all to identify your own strengths and your own chosen path forward. There is nothing greater than watching as someone discovers their most authentic self and then starts to live it out. Oh, that, and working across the hall from Mr. Bueno. That guy is a legend and I learn from him every day,” Marshall said.
Working with Students
When it comes to connecting with students, Marshall likes to try and get students to open up through smaller conversations.
“I love getting out of my office as much as possible but one of the best ways to connect is through schedule changes or smaller conversations. I know I am old (I turn 40 next year!) but I was in high school not so long ago and this time of life can be so rough. Anything I can do to help students navigate all the mess society throws at you, I’m here for,” Marshall said
Though Marshall does have some good times in his job, there are also some hard times. One of the hardest parts having to be seeing students come to school everyday trying to be their best selves.
“No doubt it is watching all that students have to go through everyday just to show up as the best versions of themselves that they can. You all are my heroes and I have such mad respect for every one of you,” Marshall said.
When it comes to getting students to open up, Marshall tries to be helpful and caring with every one one of the students that come to see him.
“I never expect that any student will trust me. My hope is that I will one day earn trust and respect by being consistent, genuine and offering a completely non judgmental space for a student to just be themselves,” Marshall said.
Family Time
In Marshall’s free time he spends time with his loved ones.
“The greatest thing about me is that I am a dad to two amazing daughters so most of my free time is playing pranks with them. I am also married to my kindergarten sweetheart. We love sports and are either playing or watching them whenever we can. We also love to hike throughout Oregon with our two year old puppy, Pearl,” Marshall said.
With his family, one of his favorite trips he has been on was when they went to Oklahoma City.
“While I was on Sabbatical last year, our family went to the College Softball World Series in Oklahoma City. The team we were cheering for won the entire thing and our daughters got to meet their favorite players. It was unreal,” Marshall said.
