Counselor Barr will be missed




Joel Barr

Joel Barr


Joel Barr, Agoura High School counselor emeritus, says he’s old enough to retire but young enough to forge an exciting new path in life.

Barr has spent 12 of his 37 years in education counseling students at Agoura High School. Though he will no longer be working with students whose names in the alphabet fall between “Gon” and “Kupe,” Barr expects to fill his days with meaningful pastimes—and work. Besides traveling, Barr said he will delve into his hobby of photography, read extensively and possibly write a book. He also plans to work in his “field,” otherwise known as a garden.

Before joining the counseling team at Agoura High School, Barr worked for nine years as the head counselor at Calabasas High. He started his career in education as a social studies and physical education teacher in the William S. Hart school district in Santa Clarita.

“It was a natural progression for me,” Barr said of his move from the classroom to the counseling office. “It was a good change, and I’ve enjoyed it immensely. Barr also coached swimming at California State University Northridge for 25 years. “I had the privilege of working with a legend in swimming—Pete Accardy,” he said. Under Accardy and Barr, CSUN’s swim teams dominated the Division II level, winning a record 13 national team titles.

Helping students navigate their way through high school and beyond has been both challenging and rewarding. Students have many more social, emotional and personal issues to overcome, he said. Societal changes have put tremendous stress on students, but the feelings of entitlement by students and parents have also had a negative impact, he said.

“Times are really tough now,” Barr said. “There is a tough communication issue with computers. I really think students should get off the computer and talk to one another. They are losing their interpersonal skills.”

Many people are sad to see Barr retire. Principal Larry Misel said Barr has been an “incredible counselor and personality on our campus.”

“His compassion for students is unsurpassed, and his guidance has been critical for countless numbers of students,” Misel said.

Barr’s colleagues say his retirement will leave a void at the school. Pat Brooks, who is now head counselor, has known Barr for 10 years. “I’m going to miss him terribly,” she said, “especially his sense of humor,” which she described as “just hilarious.”

Counselor Janet Svoboda called Barr her mentor. “He has just taught me so much,” she said. “It’s been an incredible pleasure to work with him and learn from him.”

Assistant Principal Sherry Bronow agreed.

“(Barr) was the only male counselor among five female counselors and three female secretaries. His sense of humor made our day.”

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