By Nichole Smith, MVA Communications Manager
Montverde Academy welcomes Mr. Mark Field to his new position as Director of School Counseling/Middle School Guidance Counselor. With over 20 years of experience in education, Mr. Field brings his diverse background in teaching and counseling to the position.
Mr. Field received a bachelor’s degree in communication from Barry University and began his career in education as an English teacher for Miami-Dade County Public Schools and eventually found his way to private education at the Cushman School of Miami. During his time at Cushman, he earned a master’s degree in educational administration leadership from St. Thomas University.
He is grateful for the time he spent in the classroom where he enjoyed discussing literature and its application to everyday life with his students. It was in those heartfelt discussions where an interest in counseling emerged. He then pursued a second master’s degree in mental health counseling at Albizu University in Miami. After graduating, he transferred to a school counselor position at Cushman.
After his eight-year tenure at Cushman, he began working at his alma mater, Barry University, as an academic success coach before moving to Central Florida at the end of the 2022-23 school year and becoming a substitute ELA teacher at Montverde Academy. The following school year, he was appointed to a full-time position as the seventh-grade ELA teacher, and when the Director of School Counseling/Middle School Guidance Counselor position became available, he applied and was appointed.
As Director of School Counseling, Mr. Field will oversee the counseling department and the social-emotional curricula of all three divisions at the Academy: Second Step for Lower and Middle School and Open Parachute for Upper School. In his capacity as Middle School Guidance Counselor, he will implement the Second Step Curriculum for grades 6 through 8, helping students to organize their academic plans, work on peer relations and conflict resolution, devise strategies for handling the everyday challenges of life, and maintaining social-emotional wellness. “It’s a solution-focused job,” said Mr. Field. “One of the models that I use when I do counseling is brief, solutions-focused counseling.” He will also help students in grade 9 with their scheduling needs, ensuring a smooth transition to the Upper School as they forge their pathway to success.
One of Mr. Field’s priorities is to build strong relationships with students and parents. “Breaking the stigma with counseling is a huge challenge,” said Mr. Field. “Part of my new job will be to create an awareness and understanding of the positives of counseling. An important thing for parents to know is that we’re here and that they have a resource.” He looks forward to building those relationships and is confident in the support of the administration as challenging conversations arise.
Mr. Field plans to engage directly with students during their advisory sessions with the Second Step and Open Parachute programs. “In these programs, the teachers are co-learners along with the students. Our teachers are not expected to be masters of that curriculum – they are to present the curriculum, discuss it with students, and offer a perspective that’s age appropriate and relevant.”
Mr. Field hopes to be a present face that students recognize and to attend as many of their extracurricular and school social events as possible. He stresses the importance of students participating in social events, citing the Middle School’s end-of-the-year social held at the MVA pool. “Kids were playing volleyball and swimming. It was fun,” he said. “Positive, pro-social activity is the best thing for kids, where they’re not in the classroom, they’re not playing a video game, and they’re with other kids, running, playing, and just being kids. It’s not just fun – it’s necessary for their social-emotional development.”
By being present and approachable, he hopes to encourage both students and teachers to seek help when needed. “Counselors are here for teachers as well. We act as a sounding board to help them. We’re not acting in a licensed capacity, but we’re a place where they can talk and be heard, and the conversation remains confidential.”
He believes his diverse background and empathetic nature align well with the varied demands of the position, and he is eager to contribute to the positive atmosphere that defines Montverde Academy. “I genuinely enjoy helping students succeed and do well,” said Mr. Field, “and I love seeing them thrive and make positive changes.”
