Gavin Takeno - Class of 2014
February 9th, 2022
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Gavin Takeno ’14 - accepted new position as Moanalua Middle School’s counselor
Gavin Takeno ’14 recently completed his Chaminade master’s program in counseling psychology and accepted a new position as Moanalua Middle School’s counselor. Although the position can be stressful at times, Gavin says it’s worth it. “I work primarily with seventh and eighth graders, but essentially my services are accessible to all 600 plus students at the school. Finding the time in the day to ensure that I get to see everyone is difficult, but the most rewarding thing about this job is observing how the services that I offer can affect students,” said Gavin.
After only seven months since starting his new counseling position, Gavin has been able to connect with students as a supportive figure – a relationship he’s valued since his time as a student at Pacific Buddhist Academy. “Mr. Udell, who was my advisory teacher, taught me how to be expressive, non-judgmental, supportive, and insightful. My biggest takeaway from teachers and staff is that, as a working professional, there are times to be serious and times when it’s okay to be loose. Working with students, being able to distinguish between those two occasions is crucial to building rapport and also maintaining respect,” said Gavin.
For Gavin, this balance helps him get to know even the most distant students. “I remember the first student I worked with who was partaking in self-harming actions. She came to me at the mere age of nine and I was definitely at a loss for words. We were able to connect on a personal level because I had my own struggles growing up. This is one experience that made me realize how much help children sometimes need.”
Someone who is not as familiar with counseling may not realize that it’s more than just being a good listener. “While I work with someone, I’m taking notes on much more than what’s being said. I’m constantly analyzing every aspect of the session and taking mental notes on how people say things. I focus on body behavior such as shaking legs or breathing patterns. I also look at the surrounding environment for distractors or for potential triggers. I take notes on the mood and vibe of the session, acknowledging tension in the atmosphere. Added together, it allows me to gain a better understanding of those who I work with,” explained Gavin.
PBA congratulates Gavin on starting his new job!
