Pamela Juniel was nominated by her colleague, Maria Brockie.
Ms. Juniel is a LifeChanger because of the positive influence she has on her students. She is patient, kind, and accepting, and she listens to her students. She doesn't judge. Ms. Juniel guides and provides information so that students can make informed decisions that make sense for their lives. She encourages them and holds them accountable. She is equally effective with groups of students and individuals. Over the years, she has run several different types of Counseling Groups that support students through difficult times and help them face the future with confidence. Her counseling lessons are relevant and engaging. She is always willing to drop her "to do" list and speak with her students. She is an advocate for and supporter of No Place for Hate and lives that creed, each and every day.
Ms. Juniel is equally available to parents and staff members who may be seeking support or information. She is approachable and is always polite, professional, and positive.
Ms. Juniel works diligently to not let the "what" of the job get in the way of her "why". She is dedicated to bettering the lives of her students. Baines Middle School is a better place because she is there.
Ms. Juniel has been a huge support to my 8th grader this year. Ms. Juniel is kind and compassionate, at the same time helping with specific strategies and ideas that has helped our daughter immensely. She makes it a priority to keep in touch and she does all she can to help with any situation. She has a gift to really connect with the students which I imagine cannot be easy with this age. She genuinely cares about her students. My daughter trusts her and feels comfortable to go to her anytime, which is not a minor thing! Ms. Juniel is truly at the core of my daughter's success this year. We may have had to pull her out to homeschool like we have in the past, but Ms. Juniel's dedication to her success has meant everything.
Ms. Juniel is remarkable as a counselor and leader for so many. She genuinely cares about each and every student and wants to make a difference in their lives. She is dedicated to her role, but is not afraid to step "outside of the box" to recognize that each child is different and treats every child with respect and grace. She encourages students to be confident and challenges them to be the best version of themselves they can be. Ms. Juniel is a wonderful communicator, and always takes the time to reach out to others to make sure all needs are being met. She genuinely loves what she does everyday and that can be seen in her actions and attitude. Middle School is hard... and she has a gift to connect to these kids and gain their trust. Baines Middle School, and the Fort Bend Community is blessed to have her share her gift with others each day. She is a LifeChanger for sure!!
Ms. Juniel is my son's eighth grade counselor. She is patient and kind with him and all the young men and women at Baines. I get to see her in action leading the No Place For Hate Coalition meetings. She is making a tremendous impact on all the kids at her school through this program where they have discussed respect, handling conflict, and the differences between equality and equity in an effort to address bias, prejudice, and discrimination. I truly believe that the actions of this LifeChanger will be seen through the many young people she encounters for many years to come!
I have known Pamela Juniel for over 15 years. We met when she was a science teacher, and I was a counselor at Sugar Land Middle School. When the counselors presented Developmental Guidance lessons to our students, I always loved presenting in Ms. Juniel's classroom because I knew that she was not going to sit behind her computer during my lessons, Instead, she was up and participating in the lesson with the students--she allowed the students to see the "human" side of her as well as the teacher side. Some of the toughest kids in school were workers in Ms. Juniel's science class because she strongly believed in EVERY student's abilities and in bringing the best in all kids. I was ecstatic when she decided to pursue her Master's Degree in Counseling and HONORED when she asked me to be her supervising counselor as she worked on her practicum hours. Once she completed her counseling certification, she was quickly grabbed for a counseling position in our district. She was missed at Sugar Land Middle, but she was definitely impacting lives in her new counselor position.
Not only has Pam impacted students in the schools, I have known her on a personal level as well. Outside of school, she supports her students in their extracurricular activities, but she is also involved in being true to herself as she advocates for a healthy lifestyle of exercise and healthy eating. She has shared her experience of becoming a healthier human being--she's shared the ups and downs, but she is always reaching up and not getting down. Her role as a primary caretaker for her elderly parents was one to be admired. She inspired me as I later helped in the care of my own father.
Every time I see Ms. Juniel, I can count on an upbeat attitude and a welcoming smile. When I think about it, the term, Life Changer, is definitely one that best describes Pamela Juniel. I wish all the best to the BEST!
Ms. Juniel is an awesome counselor and educator. She works diligently with her students, parents, and staff. She is a LifeChanger!!! I am extremely honored to recommend her for this award; she deserves it!
