Her Story
About Jasmine
Jasmine Cobb, M.A., Ed.S., serves as a Professional School Counselor and department director at a middle school within Hampton City Schools. She began her career in the nonprofit sector as a Program Assistant at the C. Waldo Scott Center in Newport News after earning her bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Norfolk State University in 2013. In 2015, she transitioned into education as an Instructional Assistant with Newport News Public Schools before pursuing a Master of Arts in Urban Education with a concentration in School Counseling from Norfolk State University, which she completed in 2020. She joined Hampton City Schools that same year and recently earned her Education Specialist degree in Advanced School Counseling from Old Dominion University. Throughout her career, Jasmine has demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting students academically, socially, and emotionally. Her expertise includes strengths-based counseling, crisis intervention, social-emotional learning, trauma-informed practices, group facilitation, mediation, classroom guidance, and collaboration with families, educators, and community stakeholders. She is ASCA-trained and actively involved in professional and community organizations, including Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society, the Virginia School Counselor Association, and the American School Counselor Association. Her commitment to service extends beyond her professional responsibilities through community initiatives such as Meals on Wheels, Peninsula Food Bank Mobile Food Pantry and school clean-up efforts. Jasmine attributes her professional drive to her determination to positively influence how students view themselves and the world around them. Inspired by her late mother and her experiences growing up in Newport News, she is passionate about encouraging young people to recognize their potential and become catalysts for positive change. Faith and prayer are central to her life, and she strives to treat everyone with kindness, respect, and dignity. Jasmine also encourages young women to follow their hearts, remain true to themselves, and move through life with confidence and grace, believing that authenticity, perseverance, and a commitment to helping others can inspire meaningful change.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jasmine
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to sheer determination and my desire to positively influence how students view the world and themselves. I am driven by the opportunity to encourage, support, and make a meaningful difference in their lives, whether that means offering a kind word, a hug, or simply being a consistent source of support. The relationships I build with my students and the lasting impact I have on them are what motivate me most. While recognition and professional accolades are meaningful, the greatest recognition I can receive is knowing that my students value my presence and feel my absence when I am not there. Their growth, trust, and connection are the true measures of success for me, and they reaffirm that I am doing my job well.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise young women entering my industry to follow their hearts and pursue the things that genuinely make them happy. There will always be opinions and criticism from others, but I encourage them not to internalize those opinions or change who they are simply to please others, because it is impossible to make everyone happy. Instead, they should use criticism as motivation to continue pursuing their goals and remain true to themselves. I believe it is important to move through the world with confidence, grace, and authenticity. When women embrace who they are and pursue work that brings them genuine joy and fulfillment, they inspire others to do the same.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in education today is the amount of red tape surrounding policies and the ongoing struggle to achieve true equity and ensure that every student has access to the resources they need to succeed. Many parents would do more for their children if they were aware of the resources available to them, which is why ensuring that information and support reach everyone, regardless of their circumstances, is so important. As a school counselor, I work every day to recognize and address inequities, empower my students to think critically, and encourage them to understand the world around them. I may not personally see all the change I hope to see, but I believe in investing in the next generation and inspiring students to become the individuals who will create that change. As Tupac Shakur said, “I may not change the world, but I guarantee that I will spark the brain that will change the world.” That idea guides me in my work and reminds me that by pouring into my students, I can help inspire them to make a meaningful difference in the world.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are faith, kindness, respect, and treating others with dignity. Prayer is a significant part of my daily life and serves as my source of guidance and strength. I pray before I begin each day and often arrive at work early to take a moment to reflect and prepare for whatever the day may bring. While I do not impose my beliefs on others, I strive to live by the principle of treating people the way I would want to be treated. I believe that showing kindness, respect, compassion, and dignity to everyone is essential, and these values guide the way I interact with others both personally and professionally.
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