Her Story
About LaNedra
LaNedra Mitchell is a school counselor based in Chicago, Illinois, where she has served for approximately 18 years. After earning her GED following a period as a high school dropout and teen mother, she completed a BA in psychology and worked full time while pursuing further education for 10 years. She earned her first master's degree in school counseling after the state of Illinois relaxed requirements for teacher certification, allowing her to enter the field, and later obtained a master's in instructional leadership and supervision. Mitchell currently sits on the board of directors and serves as board chair for her state association. She was recently named Illinois School Counselor of the Year for 2026. In addition to her counseling work, she founded the Getting Them Their Foundation, a nonprofit that provides transportation scholarships to help Chicago students attend high school. Mitchell attributes her success to ability, motivation, perseverance, and passion, drawing from her personal journey of overcoming challenges, including the loss of her firstborn child.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with LaNedra
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to ability, motivation, perseverance, and passion. As shared in a quote I saw: ability is what you are capable of doing, motivation determines what you do, perseverance is what keeps you going when faced with challenges, and passion is the fuel that drives you to excel. My journey through 10 years of school while working full-time, and continuing after losing my firstborn to colon cancer last year, shows how faith and passion keep me going as a school counselor.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
No path is straight. Try as many things as possible to find what fits you and where you get joy. I tell my students that even strange jobs like being a clown for birthday parties help you figure out what you don't want.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is people even in education and outside of education understanding the role and the impact that a school counselor has in the life of a child.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Authenticity is key in my work - I don't want to do stuff just to do it or say we're doing something but not really doing it. In personal life, fulfill the purpose why God put me on this earth, to love people even when they don't love you.
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