Deena Ballard

Jasper County school counselor Deena Ballard displays empathy and patience when working with high school students. After all, she still remembers the separation of perception and reality that can only be gained through experience. She vividly recalls pivotal realizations from her youth that caused her life’s journey to take twists and turns.

Upon graduating high school, she enrolled at the University of Kansas, where she majored in music education. Within a year, both her degree and the university changed. She laughs and smiles, confessing, “You think you know, even at seventeen, what your whole life will be? But you don’t. You do the best you can.”

“I started off wanting to become a music teacher. I got burned out on music, as it’s all I’d ever done. Then, I really liked my psychology class and my sociology classes. I realized I wanted to help others. I’ve always been a good listener and interested in other peoples’ stories,” adds Deena with a knowing smile that comes from perspective.

Eventually, she graduated from the University of Missouri with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She then obtained a master’s in social work (MSW) from Washington University in St. Louis. From there, she entered the workforce, briefly working in community mental health before earning a teaching certification through the University of Illinois’ Post MSW program.

After earning her certification, she entered the education system, accepting a position in Charleston. Recently, after eighteen and a half years working in the special education department of the same school system, a friend who worked for Jasper County Elementary School recommended the district. The conversation prompted a curiosity that ultimately led to a new beginning.

“I just wanted a change. I liked the idea of stepping away from Special Education even though I greatly appreciate special education services.” She adds, “I’m technically a school social worker employed as a school counselor. Now I do the social and emotional learning part of it. I do some individual and group counseling, and this year, I’m also starting with the testing.”

In Charleston, Deena spent most of her time conducting Individualized Education Program (IEP) evaluations to ensure students with learning disabilities received specialized instruction and related services as necessary. Transitioning to Jasper County, she quickly leaned into the small-town atmosphere. She considers Newton unique from St. Louis (where she grew up) or Charleston, appreciating the smaller, more tightly-knit community aspects.

In Jasper County, Deena’s reach is more diverse, starting with the students and flowing through to their families and into the greater community. She tries to meet the students where they are, focusing on building communities. From working with merit testing to starting a book club, she hopes to connect with her students and facilitate an environment where her students form greater connections to one another. If they happen to read books and watch movies such as Wonder and Divergent along the way, even better.

In the tapestry of Jasper County’s educational landscape, Deena Ballard weaves threads of empathy, understanding, and unwavering support into the lives of her students. Reflecting on her journey from a music enthusiast to a beacon of guidance in the school’s hallways, Deena’s story is a testament to the evolution of purpose, driven by a passion for making a tangible difference. Her laughter, sparked by the memory of youthful certainty, now echoes as a gentle reminder of life’s unpredictable paths—a message she imparts with grace to the young minds entrusted to her care.

Through her transition from musical education to the heart of school counseling, Deena embodies the realization that while our beginnings may shape us, it is our choices in response to life’s symphony that truly define us. In Jasper County, she doesn’t just counsel; she cultivates a community within the community, nurturing an environment where every student is encouraged to navigate their unique journey with resilience and awareness. As Deena guides her students through the complexities of adolescence with the wisdom of experience and the kindness of a good listener, her legacy becomes clear. It isn’t just in the problems solved or the crisis averted, but in the quiet confidence her students gain to embrace their narratives, learn from their missteps, and appreciate their strengths and weaknesses alike. In doing so, Deena Ballard ensures that the separation of perception and reality, a lesson from her own life, enriches the lives of those she touches, guiding them toward their own realization that, indeed, “You do the best you can.”