By Reinesse Wong
Irvington is pleased to welcome Mr. Kyle DeBatte as our new guidance counselor. He will be working with students with last names from Q to Z.
As a school counselor, Mr. DeBatte said he believes strongly in balancing college advice and emotional support. This includes making sure seniors stay on top of priority deadlines that need to be followed while guiding and supporting them throughout the process. The key to this is time management, planning, and prioritization.
Mr. DeBatte said that he would always be available to help and talk.
“I never want to tell a student ‘I don’t have time to see you.’ If it is something important, we can sort it out together,” he said.
He also had words of comfort for seniors applying to college this year in light of COVID-19.
“This year is no year we have ever seen before, and we are all going through it together. What I like to tell students is that everything is going to be okay, and everything will be fine. Don’t panic and stress, and don’t let it get to your head. We are all in this together.”
His experience with school counselors during high school was a factor in why he decided to become a school counselor.
He recounted his experiences with school counselors at his high school when he was young: “I remember that school counselors at my high school were always there for me when I needed to speak to them. They helped me with my planning for after high school and acted like a comfort zone.”
Mr. DeBatte hopes students and families know that he is here for them.
“I will try to help you be better whether it be socially, academically, or emotionally. I will give it my best.”
Mr. DeBatte grew up in Putnam County, and now lives in Westchester County.
