OCPS School Counselor Impacts Students’ Lives
By Sandra Carr
Terry Hummel became a teacher by accident. He was waiting tables at Lee’s Pub in Orlando during the summer of 1984 after graduating from Rollins College with a degree in Latin American and Caribbean Affairs.
One of his regular customers, R.A. McKay, ran the Foreign Language department at Colonial High and needed to fill a Spanish teacher position a few days before the 1984-85 academic year began.
He knew Hummel had recently graduated from college and could speak Spanish fluently. McKay offered him the job, and the rest is history.
“My students were a constant inspiration to learn, improve and find creative solutions,” Hummel said. “My favorite memories include having my Colonial High students attend a Spanish Christmas dinner at my home.”
Hummel attended Lake Como Elementary and Howard Middle and graduated from Boone High. During his high school years, he was a professional magician who performed at hotels on International Drive and private parties.
Although he is no longer performing sleight of hand, Hummel has kept up with another youthful pastime, creating art. He was also the Orlando Sentinel’s visual arts columnist for 16 years.
After becoming a Spanish teacher, he returned to school to earn his teaching certification from the University of Central Florida. While there, he became interested in school counseling, continuing on to get a master’s degree in mental-health counseling from Rollins College.
After Hummel received his master’s degree, he became a Student Assistance Program (SAP) coordinator at Maitland Middle for a year. OCPS Senior Administrator Marge LaBarge launched the initiative in 1987 to help students and staff who were impacted by a crisis.
OCPS changed the program’s name to the Student Assistance and Family Empowerment (SAFE) Program shortly after Hummel started in 1991. He supported Maitland Middle by training teachers and student ambassadors on crisis management.
Today, SAFE Program coordinators support student achievement by providing socio-emotional assistance to OCPS students and families. They also offer students a confidential and safe place to go if they need to talk or help resolving issues.
Hummel lived and taught elementary school in North Carolina for five years, then returned to OCPS as a contracted guidance counselor for the Community Education Partners (CEP) alternative-school program after he moved back to Orlando. He recalls fondly “making a difference, and sometimes saving lives” in that role.
He became a permanent OCPS employee once again, first at Cornerstone Charter Academy and then his alma mater, Howard Middle School Academy of Arts.
After Hummel retired from OCPS, he moved to Cocoa Beach, where he was born. There, he is creating his 2D mixed-media, abstract and representational artwork in his art studio. He also plans to travel and spend more time with his family.
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