With a new school year, Jesuit welcomes a new group of faculty and staff each year. I was able to interview one of this year’s newest additions: Mrs. Rebekah Gilbert. She is a new sophomore counselor, and she is also involved with the Hope Squad.

Background

Mrs. Gilbert was born in Houston, Texas. She moved to New Orleans, Louisiana at a young age and was raised in New Orleans. She attended the Ben Franklin High School, a magnet school in New Orleans. Mrs. Gilbert double majored in Communications and Dance at the Centenary College of Louisiana. She later went to Southern Methodist University and received her Master’s of Science in Counseling there.

Professional Career

After receiving her Master’s of Science in Counseling, Mrs. Gilbert started her career in 2012, working with families on domestic violence, therapy, and addiction. Later on, she worked at Ursuline Academy from 2014 to 2019 as a Student Counselor for 2 years and Director of Admissions for 3 years. Then, Mrs. Gilbert worked at Christ the King Catholic School from 2021 to 2026 as a student counselor. She arrived at Jesuit this year.

“I came to counseling initially because I wanted meaning in my work early in my career and I found that meaning through relationships, so I decided to find work at school.” – Mrs. Gilbert

Mrs. Gilbert explained that, according to an enneagram, her personality was Type 2, the Helper, centered around care, warmth and generosity. Ultimately, this personality type was built around relationships, so she came to counseling to develop close relationships with students and assist in their growth.

Throughout her life, Mrs. Gilbert worked in several private Jesuit settings. She said that Jesuit students impressed her in all aspects of life, like in athletics and other meetings out in public and it was what brought her to Jesuit.

Personal Life

Mrs. Gilbert and her husband have 3 kids that keep them very busy. They like traveling to the beach and visiting their family in Charleston, South Carolina. In her free time, she enjoys running, reading, and playing Mahjong. Her family is Methodist and is very involved in the First Methodist Church in Richardson.

Advice for Future Sophomores

To end the interview, she offered some advice for future sophomores. The number one thing she said to most sophomores this year was that when one was overwhelmed, one could seek other people like counselors and parents. She said that other people could introduce new solutions if you talk and communicate your whole situation.

“When you feel really overwhelmed, you can enter black and white thinking mode, like there’s only two solutions; when you summarize your options to other people, they might offer new solutions that you didn’t think of.” – Mrs. Gilbert

Highlighted by a passion of care and forming new relationships, Mrs. Gilbert is a promising addition to the sophomore counseling team on campus. She is very welcoming and dedicated to assisting students. Please welcome Mrs. Gilbert to Jesuit!

Stay tuned into The Roundup for more Teacher and Faculty Profiles!

Featured Image Credit: Mrs. Gilbert