For 16 years, Monica Walker has been a staple in the Duquesne City School District, serving as the school's counselor with fervent passion and dedication.

Everyday, her support is invaluable, but in honor of National School Counseling Week — which occurs from Feb. 3 - Feb. 7 — we’d like to extend a special thank you to Mrs. Walker.

Previous to Duquesne City, Walker worked in social services, working with children at Allegheny Academy and The Office of Children, Youth and Families. During her time at the latter job, Walker came to the realization that she wanted to become a counselor.  

“Through working with children and those situations, it made me realize that I wanted to work with them before they got to that situation,” Walker said.

After some research, Walker decided to obtain her masters degree in school counseling before eventually getting the job at Duquesne.    

Walker enjoys all of the facets of her job, but said it's especially gratifying to see students grow. And Walker is a big part of that, helping shepherd students through high and lows, all while constantly thinking of new ways and programs that she can get involved with, to best serve the district's students.  

“I've been able to see students that started here in kindergarten and went all the way up to 8th grade,” Walker said. “Seeing how they’ve matured over the years, they’ve learned how to have coping skills and difficult problems that they might’ve had are more manageable now.”