Brandy Castaneda, a recent addition to the Benilde-St. Margaret’s community, is filling an important role in the counselor’s office. Castaneda, a recent graduate from Metropolitan State University, has always expressed a love for leadership as she participated in countless clubs and programs throughout her high school years in Shakopee, MN. “I feel like helping others was something natural that just came to me,” Castaneda said.
She expressed that she always knew her path would lead her to work in a school environment. Castaneda recalls the days when she attended high school and sought guidance. “I needed a school counselor that was more effective in my life during my middle school years all the way to high school. So that was kind of like a motivation for me to be the person that I didn’t have at the moment,” Castaneda said.
When she is not helping students at BSM, Castaneda enjoys exploring the world around her. Whether that is grabbing a bite from her favorite restaurant, Young Joni’s, or traveling across the southern hemisphere, she finds an abundance of joy in immersing herself in different experiences. Although the Minnesota native has remained in her home state, she enjoys learning all about different cultures. “Traveling is just meeting others and learning from them, and I think it’s important to do that if possible,” Castaneda said.
Although she made a big transition from Wayzata High School’s 3,500 students to Benilde-St. Margaret’s, Castaneda emphasizes that she has received an abundance of support from her colleagues in the Guidance and Career center. She notes their ongoing efforts to make sure she feels a part of the team while she continues to navigate this new chapter of her life. “I feel like I’ve had a lot of support from my colleagues. They have made me feel welcomed and known and seen,” Castaneda said.
She also takes pride in bringing her vibrant personality into the office, which has inspired a few of her colleagues to make additions to their work space as well. By having a warm and welcoming environment, she hopes that students will feel the comfort she is trying to provide at Benilde St.-Margaret’s. “My goal for this office was just to shine who I am, and also for it to be useful for students. So I think that was just my mindset when decorating,” Castaneda said.
She’s only worked at Benilde-St. Margaret’s for a few weeks, but Castaneda is excited about being a part of such a welcoming community. Small acts of kindness like polite greetings from students and staff around the school as well as friendly waves in the hall make her feel at home in the community, and excited to see where this path at BSM leads her in her career.