Miss Kacy Ruffin joined the PA Distance school counseling team this summer and is looking forward to getting to know her 6th-grade students. Growing up she always knew she was going to pursue a career in education but, at first, wasn’t sure in what capacity. 

“When I was a kid, people in my life always said I would be a teacher or some type of educator one day,” she explained. “I always loved working with kids and was good at being a helper.” 

Miss Ruffin graduated from Duquesne University with a degree in psychology and a minor in sociology. After graduation, she gravitated toward her love for children and worked in a community learning facility teaching skills to two-year-olds. During her experience, she had a “lightbulb moment” and decided to pursue a degree in higher education to become a school counselor. 

She returned to Duquesne University and earned an M.Ed. in School Counseling and is PA certified as an Educational Specialist I Elementary & Secondary School Counselor PK-12. Once she graduated, she started working as a school counselor in a private Catholic school in the greater Pittsburgh, PA, area. 

“It all came together in a perfect way,” she said. “I have some experience working in a brick-and-mortar school with K-8 students, and all of my field work while earning my masters degree was remote. I jumped at the opportunity to work for PA Distance.” 

Miss Ruffin explained that she looks forward to working with middle school students again.  

“I always try to be real and honest with my students,” she explained. “I show who I am to them so they can feel comfortable sharing with me too. In middle school, kids are starting to figure out who they are as a person. I’m looking forward to helping them grow academically and socio-emotionally.” 

“I am excited to collaborate with the other counselors and staff here,” she added.