Staff Spotlight: Emily Juaire

 

Emily Juaire, a student assistance counselor at Park Center Senior High School (PCSH) and a graduate of Maple Grove Senior High School, felt drawn to helping high school students long before she ended up on staff at PCSH. 

She began working in treatment centers after college as a drug and alcohol counselor, but a chance encounter with a PCSH staff member at a grocery store gave her the information that the school’s student assistance counselor was retiring. 

“All the stars aligned,” Juaire said. “This was my dream job, and I’m now in my tenth year.”

Though Juaire originally pictured herself helping youth with chemical use and dependency issues, she said her role has evolved to include many ways to help students holistically. Beyond chemical use work, she serves as the school’s homeless liaison and has taken on a variety of projects, such as: 

• Holiday backpack project: started by Juaire to help families facing hardships by providing a backpack full of PCSH spirit wear and other small gift items or food right before winter break begins. 
• Say Yes to the Dress prom dress giveaway program, which is now expanding to include suits with the new name Find your Fit. This year’s event recently gave away around 100 dresses and 25 suits for prom goers. 
• Groceries on Wheels food deliveries for those in need of food assistance who lack transportation. The program began during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues today.
• Pirate Pantry: a small store stocked thanks to donations from local businesses where students can come get needed items like winter jackets, hygiene products, food, school supplies and more. 

Most recently, a grant-funded anti-vaping initiative, now in its first year.

Juaire said she and Osseo Senior High School’s student assistance counselor, Krista Brenno, applied for grants through Hennepin County Public Health to fund preventative services and education for youth vaping. The pair are in their first year of efforts for the two-year campaign that the grant funds. Some of the efforts so far have included focus groups with students, students manning tables at conferences with information about vaping and forming an anti-vaping group at the school. 

“There’s actually a lot of kids who don’t like vaping and want to be part of whatever initiative there is that helps prevent it in their school,” she said.

Whether it’s an effort to support students’ physical, mental or emotional well-being, Assistant Principal Erik Thompson said Juaire demonstrates her commitment to PCSH students’ success every day.

“She builds strong relationships with students that help break down barriers and ensure they receive the support they need,” he said. 

“Emily is a hardworking and passionate advocate for her students, consistently going above and beyond to support their growth and success,” Principal Antwan Harris added. “Her unwavering dedication and fearless commitment to standing up for what she believes in make her an inspiring and impactful force at PCSH.”

“Park Center is an incredibly special place that we view as a family,” Juaire said. “I personally view all the kids that I work with as my kids, and I do whatever I can daily to make sure they feel seen, that I help them achieve their goals, and that they feel supported taking that next step after Park Center.”