Taylor Forhaltz-Burbank (pictured right) joined the Emma Willard School counseling office in February 2024, supporting students and their mental health, facilitating the beloved Lunch Bunch activities every week, and enjoying Emma traditions! We asked Taylor four questions about their experience at Emma!
#1—What brought you to Emma Willard School?
Prior to coming to Emma Willard School, I was working as a clinical social worker at a Community Behavioral Health Center providing therapy, crisis intervention, substance use and case management services to folks across the lifespan. I was starting to become burnt-out and was looking for a change in pace outside of often quite unfunded and under-resourced social service systems. I found the opportunity to work in a high school setting incredibly exciting, mainly because of the built in community, access to intellectually engaging spaces, and of course working with amazing and inspiring students.
I was drawn specifically to Emma Willard because of the students and the opportunity to work within a community that is shaping and influencing students at such a key developmental period of their life.
#2—What is a typical day-in-the-life at Emma like for you?
I’m sure this is a similar answer to many staff and faculty at Emma, but every day at Emma is different and unique in its own way! However, usually my days are usually packed with meeting students, either through scheduled or walk-in appointments, to support them and their mental health. Counselors also are always available both during the day and on call for crisis calls, which will pop up throughout the days and nights.
Outside of those responsibilities, I’m usually either in meetings advocating for students, coordinating care with outside providers, consulting with fellow colleagues or catching up on seemingly endless documentation, haha. A fun part of my week is always running Lunch Bunch on Tuesdays in Kellas Commons, which offers such amazing levity to the day. You will also always find me saying hello to any and all animals across campus (shoutout to Otto)!
Taylor and their cat Roo.
#3—What is one thing about working at Emma that would surprise people?
I think one thing about working at Emma that would surprise people is all the fun school traditions! When I’ve told people in my life about traditions like Revels, Ring Week, Emmaween, etc, I’ve always gotten such surprised and fun reactions from people. Being able to participate or just witness all the fun that these traditions bring to the school community brings me so much joy!
#4—What were you like in high school?
I was definitely a very shy and quiet person in high school! I personally found high school quite a challenging time for me socially and emotionally, which I think further motivates me to support Emma students and show them support and care I wish I had received.
I grew up pretty immersed in cello and piano performance, so you could usually find me in high school playing in orchestra, singing in choir, going to music lessons, playing in the play pit orchestra, and performing in ESYO! I did actually join my school’s ski team for a whole year, haha, though that was a short-lived activity for me.
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