Three Questions with AHS Guidance Counselor Jayne Jones

After almost eight years working with A Better Chance of Andover Scholars, Andover High School Guidance Counselor Jayne Jones is having a year like no other. Working remotely during the pandemic, Jones says the 2020-21 school year has presented unusual challenges, and close ties between ABC and the high school have been key, as always. We caught up with Jones to ask about her work with Scholars, her partnerships with volunteers, and how her background in college admissions informs her efforts at AHS.

You’ve advised all the ABC Scholars during your time at AHS. What makes this year different?

Our worlds have changed so much, and high school kids in general are struggling. This is a time in their lives that is all about being with their peers. They need that independence. It’s how they transition from adolescence to adulthood. It’s how they build their own sense of self and self-efficacy. On top of social distancing, our ABC students are away from their families. I have been really taken by these young women and how strong they have been managing the stressors of a pandemic.

You work closely with ABC volunteer academic advisors. What are the ingredients to making that collaboration successful?

[Academic Advisor Chair] Anne Wakelin and I joke about how much we talk, but this partnership in communication is critical. One of the reasons ABC is so successful is because there are so many mentors that come together to help these students. I’m so impressed with the volunteers and their positive energy.

The universal theme for anyone who wants to work with adolescents is you have to love them -- their messiness, their sense of fair play -- all of it. The academic advisors really do like adolescents and they want to be helpful. I have really enjoyed getting to know primarily the women who do this, and I’ve been pleased with the commitment they have. The turnaround time is so impressive. That does not come from people who are not committed, and I need to have that turnaround. If someone is having an issue about something, and if I can get to that kid quickly and confirm with the parent or academic advisor, all of that is timely. We can’t say we’ll get to that next week. All the academic advisors get back to me quickly, and I try to do the same for them.

You previously worked in admissions at Bowdoin and Wellesley. How did that lead to the work you do today?  

I went to Bowdoin, and I did my thesis on how first-generation American students adapted to Bowdoin. Later I worked in the Dean of Students’ office and part of my job was to reach out to diverse students coming from all over the country to Brunswick, Maine and say, “Hey, how is this going for you?” I was very interested in students who felt marginalized or had stumbling blocks to access education. At Wellesley, I learned about ABC when I read applications from some Scholars. When I came to AHS, Director of Guidance Aixa de Kelley made me the ABC guidance counselor, and I was thrilled to be one of their advocates in the school.