Today Dr. Carla Sparks welcomes Dr. Trudy Hill Jones, a school counselor with 25 years in urban education, featured in Forbes Women, honored by a City of Memphis resolution, named 2025 Tennessee School Counselor of the Year, and soon to be inducted into National Louis University’s Alumni Hall of Fame. 

Dr. Hill Jones explains how earning her doctorate amplified her mission and expanded her influence through mentoring, training, and advocacy for equitable opportunities and student mental health. She describes a systems approach grounded in student-centered data and MTSS, emphasizing Tier 1 social-emotional learning for students, staff, and families, plus accountability for interventions. 

Drawing on her own high school experience, she highlights listening to students, creating wellness spaces, and “dealing hope” as a resilience strategy. She encourages educators to stay connected to your why, reflect, build relationships, collaborate, and show up to educate, advocate, empower, and inspire.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Welcome to the Podcast

00:40 Meet Dr Trudy Hill Jones

02:34 Doctorate Doors Opened

04:17 Influencing Students Educators Systems

06:29 Systems Thinking and MTSS

07:36 Tier One SEL in Action

11:54 Biggest Impact and Mantra

14:24 Counseling Philosophy and Story

17:18 Creating Safe Support Spaces

19:44 Becoming the Hope Dealer

23:23 Leadership and Purpose

25:52 Hall of Fame Journey

31:33 Tennessee Counselor of the Year

35:33 Advice for Change Makers

38:09 Final Thanks and Closing