In Conversation
Sade Cheek for Bold. Brilliant. Unstoppable.
Read the transcript
Sade Cheek: Being an influential woman means to me that I'm someone that has purpose. I walk in that purpose each and every day to inspire others, to help them become better versions of themselves and to guide them, specifically my students to achieving the goals and measures that they want to attain.
What's one piece of advice you would give to younger women chasing their dreams?
Sade Cheek: Advice that I would give to younger women chasing their dreams is never stop what you want to do in order to achieve what you want to achieve. It's going to be hard. There are going to be times where you're going to feel like you want to give up, but you always have to remember the end goal and remember your why and persevere. Nothing that you accomplish in life is going to be easy. So definitely just being having the discipline and remaining positive no matter what, because it will be a roller coaster, it will not always be sunshine and rainbows, but when you make it out onto the other side, it is the best feeling ever.
Her Story
About Sade
Sade Cheek is a high school counselor based in Nashville, Tennessee, where she works with Metro Nashville Public Schools. She earned her undergraduate degree from Middle Tennessee State University and her master's degree in school counseling from Lipscomb University. In her third year as a counselor, Cheek serves as a 504 coordinator for students with disabilities or impairments such as ADHD, dyslexia, sickle cell, etc ensuring teachers follow accommodation plans. She oversees graduation requirements for sophomores through seniors, writes college recommendation letters, assists with FAFSA applications, and partners with local universities including Belmont, University of Tennessee, Tennessee State, and Middle Tennessee State for scholarships. Sade has received an award for her 504 work and helped increase her school's graduation rate despite challenges with transient students. She is studying for the NCE exam to become nationally board-certified, aiming for future leadership roles such as lead counselor. Sade attributes her success to role models and mentors from her own education and internships, and she values integrity while advising others to give themselves grace in the complex field of school counseling.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sade
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to role models. Growing up, I just had amazing teachers. I became a school counselor because of my middle school counselor. Just having role models and great mentors in my life. When I was doing internships in undergrad and graduate school, the people that helped me get to where I am were all just really amazing people.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice that I've ever received, definitely, when I was an intern to be a high school counselor, my mentor always told me, don't take work home. That was great advice, because it's, like, work will always be there, and it's very true. I would also say, like, give myself grace. Basically, that was given to me, like, my first couple years of being a counselor, because high school is just so complex.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Women pursuing education, definitely don't give up, and don't let people at anyone minimize you, because you're a woman. I say that just based off of experience. I think a lot of times in education it's mainly a woman-dominated field. But, in certain instances, like with leadership, some principals, it can be male-dominated, just from my experience here, and so I do feel that sometimes we are minimized and kind of overlooked a little, unfortunately. So, I would say don't let anyone do that, and always stand in what you believe in, even if you are by yourself, even if you're the only one.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Opportunities: more experience, studying for the NCE exam to become nationally board-certified counselor, which opens doors for leadership roles like lead counselor or district roles. Challenges: budget cuts affecting schools (losing teachers, fuller classes), 504 coordination taking too much time and paperwork (done by admin in other districts), disparity in access to resources for students who are truant and transient.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Value in my work: Definitely having integrity, and I say that because I have worked with colleagues who unfortunately I can tell that they are just there, like, for, you know, money for the check or whatever, and they're not really in it for students' best interests. So, you know, I would say, like, having integrity as a school counselor, and, like, truly wanting to see my students succeed. Personal life: I would say the same thing in my personal life, like, with my friends and family.
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