Counselor Spencer helps students

By Austin Cohea |

Counselor James Spencer grew up for the most part in San Angelo, but most of his family is from San Antonio. Spencer started out as a Social Studies teacher.

“When I was a teacher, I worked at an alternative high school, and I felt like I was doing more counseling than teaching at times,” Spencer said.

 One of the reasons Spencer aims to be a good counselor is because he doesn’t want to be like his high school counselor.

“I didn’t know my counselor in high school… so that’s why I want to be different than that,” he said.

Spencer started college in Missouri, and later transferred to Angelo State, where he finished both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Spencer encounters a range of students, but one that stands out the most was one of his foreign exchange students.

“When he started here he spoke very little English. By the end of the year he was speaking excellent English.” Spencer said, “[It was good] just helping him learn more about the United States, and getting him involved in different classes and clubs.”

Spencer has been at Roosevelt High School for three years, and his family has a history with Roosevelt; his aunt and uncle attended here. He is the counselor for sophomores, juniors, and seniors with last names A-E.  

“Mr. Spencer has a positive attitude and he always brings humor to the counseling department with his funny stories and life’s challenges,” Lead counselor Michelle Howard said, “As a counselor, he is impeccable with his follow through and willingness to help all students.”

In fact, these qualities were honored last night when two summa cum laude graduate students chose to honor him as their special educator.

“I chose Mr.Spencer because this last year of high school has been really tough because I didn’t really know what I wanted to do after high school. He helped me believe in myself.”

Actions like these won the Spencer and all the Roosevelt counselors the “CREST” award (Counselors Reinforcing Excellence for Students in Texas) earlier this spring.

“I hope it shows that great things are happening at Roosevelt, and for the community to see Roosevelt is a great school,” Spencer said.