Staff Spotlight: Paulina Gill, School Counselor

When Connect Academy first opened its doors in 2022, Paulina Gill was right there, bringing energy, empathy, and a deep sense of purpose to her role as a School Counselor. Over the past few years, she has become a steady presence across all three campuses, and now she’s helping lay the foundation for the youngest learners at Connect Academy Early Childhood.

Whether she's guiding students through tough emotions or celebrating small victories, Paulina brings heart and skill to every corner of her work.

Growing with Connect Academy
Paulina’s journey with Connect began at Main and East, but this year, she’s embraced a new challenge by focusing her work at the Early Childhood campus. “I have been at Connect Academy since the beginning in 2022! The first two years I was primarily at Main and East, and now I am primarily at our Early Childhood campus,” she shares.

Her earlier experiences, including internships at a public high school in Oswego and a middle school in Naperville, helped prepare her for the wide range of student needs she encounters each day. Still, she’s quick to point out that the most valuable learning has come on the job. “A lot of what I learned at Connect Academy is something that you cannot learn in a textbook or in a lecture hall. I am so grateful for the experiences I have had here at Connect Academy thus far, and being able to have learned them hands-on.”

That said, she remains deeply appreciative of her formal training: “I am very grateful for my graduate program and my professors at Lewis University, along with my internship supervisors and the experiences during that period to give me a great foundation for my current role!”

The Joy of Little Wins
Every counselor knows that success comes in small moments. For Paulina, those moments mean everything. When asked what she finds most rewarding, her answer is immediate: “The relationships built with students and seeing their little wins throughout their day!”

Whether it’s a child asking for help when they normally shut down, or a student regulating after a tough moment, Paulina is there to support, notice, and celebrate those steps forward.

Counselor, Collaborator, Constant Support
Paulina’s days are anything but routine. “Helping in classrooms, sitting with students during 1:1s, and assisting in student behaviors (during and post-crisis).” She’s everywhere she’s needed, acting as a calming presence, a problem-solver, and a trusted adult students can count on.

But before anything else, she focuses on relationships. “Building relationships with students is my top priority. This ensures a solid foundation when working with students and building trust. From there, maintaining that relationship as the school year goes on is just as important.”

She knows that for many students, connection is the key to success. “Students feel most supported when they know they can come to school and there is at least one person there that cares about them. This, I would say, is the foundation of student success.”

Teamwork in Action
Collaboration runs deep at Connect Academy, and Paulina lives it every day. “As a school counselor, I am always talking to and working with other staff of various roles in various settings. Whether it is in meetings, behaviors, random check-ins with my administrator, we are always discussing what is going well and what we can do to further support our students.”

She sees firsthand how diverse perspectives can lead to better outcomes for students. “Teamwork at Connect Academy is especially important because there are so many individuals with different backgrounds, expertise, and skills. With those different backgrounds, expertise, and skills, we can all come together from many different perspectives to help shape success in our students from many different angles.”

A Moment to Remember
Every educator has that one moment they’ll never forget and for Paulina, it came during Spirit Week. “During the last week of school during the 2023-2024 school year, we had a day for spirit week where the students dressed up like their teachers/staff. I had one of my students dress up like me down to the details I didn't realize people would notice! I can definitely say that it made both myself and the student's day. Truly something I will never forget!”

Moments like this remind us all of the deep impact counselors like Paulina have on students and how seen and safe they feel in her care.

Laying the Groundwork at Early Childhood
This school year is a big one for Connect Academy Early Childhood, and Paulina is excited to help shape its future. “As this is our first year opening up our Early Childhood campus, one of my goals for this school year is to help my team establish a solid foundation for our program and our students. It is a great challenge, and I am so thankful to be working with an awesome team!”

As the school grows, so does Paulina’s impact and her commitment to helping young students build a strong, supported future.

Thank You, Paulina!
From crisis support, to classroom connection, Paulina shows up for her students with grace, humor, and unshakable dedication. Her leadership, collaboration, and care help define what makes Connect Academy a special place to learn and grow.

Stay tuned for more Staff Spotlights as we continue to celebrate the incredible team that powers Connect Academy’s mission of individualized, therapeutic support.