Her Story
About Shelly
Shelly Landry is a school counselor with Minneapolis Public Schools, where she holds a distinctive position supporting non-public schools situated within the district. Made possible through state legislation that channels funding through the public school system, her role spans five schools and grades 7 through 12: she consults with three schools while maintaining a weekly on-site presence at the remaining two. Her work is tailored to the developmental needs of each age group, with a focus on post-secondary planning and college attainment for high schoolers, and an emphasis on executive functioning skills for seventh graders and the transition to high school for eighth graders.
Landry built her academic foundation with a Bachelor of Arts from Skidmore College, earned in 1989, before going on to complete a Master's degree in Counselor Education at Boston University in 1993. Her career in the Minneapolis Public Schools system spans decades, including sixteen years as a Lead Counselor and eight years at Southwest Senior High School, in addition to her current role. Beyond her counseling practice, she has spent several years teaching as an adjunct professor at the University of Wisconsin River Falls, extending her influence into the training of future professionals in the field. She is professionally engaged through her memberships in the American School Counseling Association, the Minnesota School Counseling Association, and the National Association for College Admissions Counselors, and she has previously contributed her expertise to the Midwest Region Regional Board of the College Board.
Guided by a personal commitment to integrity, honesty, and kindness, Landry approaches her work with perseverance and a willingness to embrace new challenges. She credits much of her professional success to hard work, strong listening skills, and a continual drive to learn and grow, alongside meaningful networking within her field. For those entering the profession, she emphasizes that the true reward of school counseling—the profound difference made in the lives of students, families, and colleagues—often only becomes clear with time, and she encourages newcomers to cultivate a reliable support system to sustain them through the demanding moments of the job.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Shelly
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to hard work, dedication, and a commitment to networking and striving for excellence. I have always been goal-driven and eager to learn new things, and I believe being a good listener has played a significant role in getting me where I am today.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've received is to bring positivity to others, because it comes back to you in kind. I was also taught not to be intimidated by others—to stand tall and proud, and to carry confidence in myself.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The best part of this job is knowing that you are making a tremendous difference in the lives of students, families, and school staff. The hardest part is that you often don't recognize that impact until many years later—but the reward is incredibly gratifying, and the work is so needed. I'd also encourage anyone entering this field to build a strong support group, because there will be times when you need people you can depend on.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I see my greatest opportunity as continuing to provide meaningful support to students, families, and staff in their academic, personal, and post-secondary planning and success. Making a difference every day is both the challenge and the reward of this work.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity, honesty, and kindness are the values that matter most to me. I also place great importance on embracing challenges and practicing perseverance, both professionally and personally.
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