By: Patricio Ezdebski ’24, Spectrum Staff Writer

Ms. Jennifer Sprys-Tellner has joined the counseling department as a college and career resources counselor. Ms. Sprys-Tellner will help students with all aspects of the college admissions process; she will work tirelessly to send every student on the right path for them. 

The college admissions process can be confusing, but Ms. Sprys-Tellner will make the process easy. She has decades of experience in counseling and teaching, and she has a deep connection to Catholic Central. Ms. Sprys-Tellner is here to ensure that every student has the best chance possible of getting into his dream college. I had an opportunity to sit down with Ms. Sprys-Tellner to discuss her role here. 

• What experience do you have in helping students with the college application process?  I have previously been a counselor for 15 years with another school system. A lot of my work there was with college and career with students, and I also had an administrative position in charge of the counseling department, and I continued to work with students in that regard. I worked with students to help them decide their path, whether it be going to college, trade school, the military, etc.
• Why did you decide to be a counselor? I have always enjoyed helping people in general. I think helping students navigate high school has developed into a passion of mine. I used to teach, and then I moved up to high school level to do counseling, and that’s where I found my passion. I like to help students figure out how to help themselves in every aspect.
• What brought you to CC? I have always thought very highly of Catholic Central and wanted to work here. I have had many family members attend CC, and I have had many experiences here as a parent volunteer.  A main reason is that CC has such wonderful people, and the school has great attributes.
• What is your impression of CC so far? I am very impressed with the school so far. I love that goodness, discipline, and knowledge is not just a motto, but it is lived every second at school. I am impressed by the students’ manners and politeness to everybody.
• What do you like most about your job here at CC? I’m really in the beginning stages, as this is a new position. So far, I’m trying to figure out how to best serve students, and I have enjoyed meeting new people. I also love being able to help people navigate their world and see what it looks like.
• What motivates you in your day-to-day life? Love of learning motivates me. I love being able to do work that is going to help others to be successful in whatever path they choose in life. I particularly love helping people to become the best version of themselves and reach their full potential. 
• Is there anything in particular you would like us to know about you? I have a retired therapy dog that comes to school. I plan on bringing her more often, and I want people to know that my main role is to help all of the students here.
• What does your role entail? My title is college and career resource counselor. I provide resources for students, other counselors, faculty, and parents to help them figure out the post-secondary plans of students and assist them, in whatever way that looks like. I gather and share info about schools and careers with students. I hope to put in workshops, and to broaden people’s knowledge base of colleges and universities available to students. Too many students just want to go to Michigan or Michigan State, and I wish to use my knowledge to maybe cast a wider net of schools for students to look into. I will be another resource for students to use, to help them navigate towards their future and to provide them with post-secondary planning.

This article first appeared in the Vol. 89, No. 1 issue of the Detroit Catholic Central Spectrum. 

Photo by Spectrum Photographer Jacob McKee '23