The Piedmont Highlander

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The Piedmont Highlander

The Piedmont Highlander

Brandeau retires after 13 years

Counselor Pam Brandau decides that her time counseling at Millenium is up after 13 years of working there.

“It feels like it’s the right time for me to let go,” said Brandau. “This job requires 200% and as of now, I cannot give that much.”

From her work and efforts, Brandau said that she has learned the difficulties and struggles of teens’ lives, but also the joyful parts.

“A lot of students here are put under really unfair circumstances for people so young,” Brandau said.

Brandau said that before coming to MHS, she had no experience as a high school counselor, and had made no goals for herself.

“I had no role model and no leader so I kind of had to make up the job for myself,” Brandau said. “It seemed that I reached goals that I had not even set up for myself.”

When working with students, Brandau strove to respect every student’s differences about what they wanted for themselves and avoided making decisions for them.

Brandau said that gaining the trust of students were some of her favorite moments as a counselor.

“Students don’t usually automatically give you respect and trust and it was always nice to gain those things from a student,” Brandau said.

Brandau said that working at Millennium for 13 years and watching it grow made her feel as if she had grown up there too.

“I love the feeling of youthful energy that this place gives off,” Brandau said. “It feels invigorating.”

Some of Brandau’s favorite moments happened during their annual school trip to Camp Augusta because she loved the “outdoor freedom” that it brought to the students. Brandau said that she is grateful to the students for giving her the chance to hear so many great stories.

“It was amazing that the biggest adventure of my life that I could ever imagine was only 15 minutes away from my home,” Brandau said.

After she retires, Brandau is going to pick up weaving, and hopefully work with preschoolers.

 

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