I am so happy to meet you and to be your school counselor! I am new at school counseling but not education. I started my career as a high school English teacher, which I did for 7 years at Soldan International Studies. After that, I started working as a Consultant Teacher, which I have been doing for the past 3 years. As a Consultant Teacher, I coached and evaluated new teachers and it is while doing that I realized how much I wanted to spend more time helping young people with their problems. 

Besides, working in education. I keep pretty busy with my wife, our two kids, and our three cats. 

Counseling Referral Form

https://forms.office.com/r/M763dzDcEE

Contact Information

daniel.virtue@slps.org

Office (314) 481-3440 x33129

Counseling Website

counselingwithvirtue.blogspot.com

Personal Philosophy Statement 

Helping other people Matters  

On the surface, helping others might seem like a common goal, easily pushed aside by the busyness of life. But for me, it's a core principle. When I consider how to spend my time, how to make a real difference, helping others consistently top priority.

Helping other people is never a Waste of Time 

The doubt can hit hard sometimes, especially in school counseling. You pour your heart into helping students, but questioning the impact can be a real struggle. Did my strategies truly help that student struggling with writing? Will they all become famous authors?  It's easy to fall into the trap of measuring success by a single, specific outcome.

But that's a short-sighted view. The student who might not become a professional writer might gain invaluable confidence in expressing themselves. They might learn valuable life skills through the writing process. And that's a win. The same goes for students facing other challenges. The focus in school counseling isn't just about achieving specific goals or mastering skills. It's about the journey, the growth mindset we cultivate, and the connection we build. It's about being a steady, caring presence who shows students they're not alone. It's about empowering them to navigate challenges and discover their full potential. That's where the real impact lies – not in a quick fix, but in the journey we walk together.

Everyone could Benefit from some Company 

At the core of my approach to school counseling lies the belief in the power of presence. Students often confide in their counselor, sharing deeply personal experiences, past traumas, or confusing emotions. In these moments, I don't focus on finding solutions or offering quick fixes. Instead, I prioritize creating a safe space where they feel heard and acknowledged.

It's easy to feel overwhelmed by another person's pain and withdraw. However, I believe in the importance of being present, of truly seeing the student beyond their immediate struggles. It is the shift from "fixing" to simply "being there." The most powerful support comes from simply being a consistent, caring presence. By acknowledging their challenges and showing genuine empathy, I empower students to navigate difficult emotions and explore solutions on their own terms.