Meet Sebastian Kelley, the college and career adviser at Timberlake High School in Spirit Lake.

Sebastian started working for the Lakeland Joint School District as a para-educator while working on his master's degree. He then was quickly promoted to college and career adviser and is now a member of the Coeur d'Alene Regional Chamber of Commerce Education Committee.

1) What motivated you to become a high school college and career adviser?

God and my family. I felt God call me into this position to help Timberlake High School students pursue their post-secondary educational goals. That could be anything from attending a four-year university, two-year community college, trade school, apprenticeship program and joining a branch of the armed forces. I believe that God has put me into this world to be able to help those around me. My sister, Samantha, the athletic trainer at Timberlake, also pushed me to enter this role as she knows my heart is to help those around me.

2) What are some of the most rewarding parts of the work you do?

Being able to help the students. It is so rewarding when my students come into my office and tell me they got accepted into a program, received scholarships or realized what they want to do after high school. Not all students have people in their lives to help walk alongside them in these very confusing times. I want them to know that there are people in this world who are willing to walk alongside them.

3) What are a few student accomplishments from the past few years that make you beam with pride?

Being able to see every one of our students apply to a college, having our students be offered over $3.3 million in scholarships and for Timberlake High School to be recognized at the national and state level by ACT (American College Testing) for our success of having all students apply to college. I am just now going into my second year at Timberlake, and I am excited to see what is next for Timberlake High School and the Lakeland Joint School District for our students. It is amazing to see that schools in North Idaho are being seen for their accomplishments. 

4) What is something people would be surprised to know about you?

My educational background is not actually in education. I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Ministries and my master's is a Master of Divinity. People can be surprised about that because they would just assume that it is in education. I believe this is also something that can show our students that as long you pursue further your education through an apprenticeship program, trade school, college or even the military it opens the doors to so many new opportunities. 

5) What are you most looking forward to this school year, and what words of wisdom do you have for high school students as they get one step closer to graduation?

I am just so excited to be able to work with all of the students again. As a Catholic, I believe that it is very important for our students to know that they all have a calling on their lives and I want to be able to walk alongside them in that journey. Also, for them to know that school may seem expensive but there are many scholarships available for them to fund their education from Idaho LAUNCH, institutional scholarships, federal grants and even opportunities from local organizations in their own backyard that are available to them.