Within the halls of Gulf Breeze High, there are many different people in various roles that are critical in keeping the campus run smoothly. The guidance office is one of the most pivotal halls within the school, organizing and overseeing the large variety of courses and curriculums for each student on campus while ensuring every student is taken care of. The GBHS guidance team consists of 4 guidance counselors who work behind the scenes: Mrs. Wyatt, Mrs. Schlosser, Ms. Morren, and last, but not least, Ms. O’Hare.
Ms. Brande O’Hare is the school’s guidance counselor focusing on students with last names beginning with Re through Z. Within her role, she is responsible for tracking the graduation status for her 450-student caseload, and students in areas such as academics, attendance, behavior, social hardships, coordinating 504 plans with students with disabilities, and mental health assessments. Inside her office, she receives almost 70 emails per day from parents, teachers, and students with questions or concerns while organizing parent/student conference and seeing students at their request. When not at a district meeting, O’Hare comes in checking her large quantities of emails, never hesitating to communicate with students and give them swift feedback.
As a counselor, she openly advocates for the large percentage of students struggling with anxiety, commenting, “Everyone has their own form of anxiety, all different and validated. I want my students to understand that anxiety is a common emotion and that it is okay to struggle with it, but they can cope and there is help there.” O’Hare strives to make students feel like they belong; she finds it most rewarding to see the sense of relief that students have when they feel heard and appreciated, considering it her passion to help students to feel loved while achieving their dreams. She also often promotes student involvement within school extracurriculars and activities, pushing students to enjoy the diverse spread of clubs, sports, and organizations that the campus hosts.
At Gulf Breeze High School, Ms. O’Hare feels a great admiration for the culture and pride in the community: “I love the pride that this school holds. There’s a big desire for students to enroll into the school and I think that’s special. My team in guidance and administration are great! They’re fun and are devoted to what they do. Both my team and I are dedicated to being here for the students and working hard to support them,” O’Hare comments.
Growing up in Tupelo, Mississippi, she was raised in a small town with little opportunity. She was a first generation college student with little knowledge in navigating higher education which would inspire her to one day become a mentor for students. She wanted to leave her small town wanting more for her career and future, and she did, going to school at the University of Memphis for a bachelors directed at becoming an English teacher and then her master’s in counseling. She would move to Colorado, working as a counselor while doing what she loves.
In Colorado, she acquired her many hobbies such as mountain biking, skiing, golfing, and fitness always being in the outdoors with her golden retrievers. She shares, “I am like a houseplant. I just need sun and water, and I am all good.” After the COVID-19 pandemic, she would leave for Florida, arriving at Gulf Breeze to begin her impressive tenure of helping students navigate their future.
In Florida, she found her love for being on the water and eventually a membership in what she calls her “old lady golf league.” She also lives by a unique motto: “Let them; stop trying to control other people. If someone didn’t invite you to something, let them. Focusing on yourself is the best path forward.”
Overall, Ms. O’Hare is a dedicated counselor, devoted to giving students opportunities in their future and mental health. In the future, she hopes that students will pick up more interests in the growing market in trades, arguing, “There’s not just college. There is a lot of cool stuff on the horizon regarding these technical certifications. 2-year colleges are becoming more popular, and students can support themselves without debt post-high school.” To the students of Gulf Breeze, she shares in conclusion: “We can only help you with what you tell us. Communicate your needs. We are here for you.”