Student-Teacher Joins SUA’s Counseling Staff

Ms. Paige Anstine shares her experience about becoming a school counselor and spending her time at SUA

Ms. Anstine and Ms. Hollister smiling for a picture. Photo courtesy of Caitlin Kujawski. 

By Caitlin Kujawski
March 3, 2025 

Toledo, OH.- Ms. Paige Anstine is a student-teacher at Saint Ursula Academy’s  counseling department. She is in graduate school at the University of Toledo, has her undergraduate degree in social work, which later led her to getting her Bachelor of Social Work.

Prior to arriving at SUA, Ms. Anstine had an internship at a high school with its social workers. While interning, she realized how much she wanted to help students.

“With my time there, I built a lot of connections with a lot of the students, and helped them with social and emotional stuff,” said Ms. Anstine. “I also like helping [students] pursue their academics as well.” 

Ms. Anstine said she would describe her experience at SUA as awesome. 

“It’s been such a great experience so far,” said Ms. Anstine. 

Ms. Anstine wants students at SUA to know that she and the entire counseling staff are here for them. They want to see students succeed and are willing to help in any way possible.

“We want to be the people to help get you to where you want to be,” said Ms. Anstine.

Being new to counseling, there are some challenges that can be tough to navigate. For example, it can be difficult dealing with a new situation for the first time and learning how to handle it. 

“I’m still learning how to do stuff, so navigating those situations [can be] difficult," said Ms. Anstine. 

Even though there can be tough situations, the positive experiences make the job worthwhile.

“Meeting students and having them come up to me and actually want to talk to me and meet with me [is rewarding],” said Ms. Anstine. 

The biggest mental struggle that students face in high school is understanding who they are and school anxiety. She loves that students can look at her as a safe and welcoming person.

The biggest advice she has for high school students is to be open, honest and rely on their support systems. 

“High school is such a hard time for students,” said Ms. Anstine. “They are trying to find out who they are while also yearning for acceptance from others.”