Her Story
About Alyssa
Alyssa Gilbert is an experienced school counselor with more than 17 years of experience in education. She currently serves as a School Counselor at Elmira Heights Central School District, where she supports students in their academic, personal, social, and career development. Throughout her career, Alyssa has worked in several school districts, including Watkins Glen Central School District, Watkins Glen Elementary School, and Spencer-Van Etten Central School District.
Alyssa earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Keuka College in 2007 and a Master of Science in Education in School Counseling from Alfred University in 2009. During her graduate studies, she received the James F. Doherty Award in Excellence in Professional Counseling. Her areas of expertise include developing school counseling curricula and mental health programs that address the needs of students and school communities. Alyssa is also trained in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention for Schools (TCIS) and has served as a staff trainer. She additionally holds a Certified Personal Trainer credential from the National Academy of Sports Medicine.
Alyssa is committed to creating warm, supportive environments that help students succeed and feel supported. She emphasizes adapting counseling and mental health programs to meet students' needs while encouraging healthy boundaries and self-care among educators. She is affiliated with professional organizations including the American School Counselor Association and the New York State School Counseling Association. Outside of work, Alyssa enjoys spending time with her family, including her grandchildren, and contributes to her community through volunteer activities supporting animal shelters, food pantries, cancer research, and initiatives benefiting soldiers experiencing PTSD.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Alyssa
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to hands-on field experiences, supportive mentors, and my ability to adapt. During my undergraduate years, observing a school social worker’s positive impact on students inspired me to pursue school counseling. My graduate studies and internships further strengthened my passion, while building a school counseling curriculum from the ground up taught me to be flexible, resourceful, and innovative.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to leave work at work and home at home. Setting healthy boundaries, knowing when to say no, and prioritizing self-care are essential, especially for educators. I believe we cannot be our best selves for others if we are not taking care of ourselves first.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are family, connection, and making time for the people I love. As the youngest of seven siblings, family has always been a central part of my life. Even though we are spread out, I make it a priority to travel and spend meaningful time together.
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