Sometimes it's nice to have somebody to talk to. Sometimes it's nice to know there's someone in your corner.

That type of support can be extremely helpful as you're growing up.

At Warwick Middle School, Marianne Bropst is that someone, or at least one of them. A school counselor at Warwick for the past 10 years, Bropst is passionate about what she does, and she sees herself as part of a team charged with the task of educating the whole of every student.

"My goal has been to meet with every student individually," said Bropst. "I ask them, 'How's the seventh grade? How's your locker? How's your planner? What do you like doing? How do you like to spend your time?' I also like to ask them follow-up questions. Then the last thing I ask them is, 'Do you have any idea what you'd like to do for a career?' We know it can change, but it's neat to hear the responses."

One of two school counselors at Warwick Middle School, Bropst works with the school's entire seventh-grade class, approximately 300 students. She characterized what she does as a "liaison," a "point person," a "sounding board."

The Warwick School District employs a total of 10 school counselors, throughout its six buildings, as well as seven school psychologists.

"Students come to me with anything and everything," said Bropst. "We work with students, teachers, administrators and other counselors. We're one piece of the whole puzzle, and we pull things together. I support all students, but I support them all differently."

Bropst directs her support to three key areas - academics, personal and career. In addition to meeting with students one on one, Bropst attends classes with students and even does a bit of teaching herself.

"When I'm with students, I'm going to share a little about me so they can feel more comfortable," said Bropst. "Relationship building is important at school. We want kids to feel noticed and appreciated. When you do that, other things come out in meetings. It's amazing what teenagers will tell you when you give them time and space."

"I think generally that the transition into middle school is a big step," continued Bropst. "Studying becomes a bigger deal. I talk to students a lot about social stuff. Social stuff can be challenging. But I'm pretty up front with them. I tell them I don't have all the answers. There's not a perfect formula."

Bropst holds a bachelor's degree in human development and family skills from Penn State, as well as a master's in counselor education. She is certified to counsel seventh- through 12th-graders in the state of Pennsylvania.

"The biggest thing I realized about myself is that I like talking to people and I like meeting new people," said Bropst. "I find it exciting. I like feeling like I'm helping someone. I chase that feeling. I just love people and working with people. And I like problem-solving."

While she throws credit toward the colleagues working with her at Warwick, Bropst has also enjoyed a fair amount of personal growth in her position.

"I feel like, in a good way, I'm repeating myself, just using my resources a little bit smarter," said Bropst. "I'm just feeling more comfortable in my role. The more educated I am, the better I can do my job."