The new Southport Central School guidance counselor will be asking students a philosophical question this fall.

As Meredith Fowlie begins her first year at Southport Central School, she will ask students “Are you a bucket filler or a bucket dipper?”

”My first lesson of the year is based on the children’s book which asks that question,” Fowlie said. “Bucket fillers encourage those around them, while bucket dippers bully and tear down.”

Her role as a guidance counselor focuses on facilitating personal growth through character development and lessons based on the “Golden Rule.” 

She teaches building empathy, showing genuine respect to others, understanding selflessness versus selfishness, reducing anxiety, and boosting personal confidence. Fowlie will deliver those lessons during 45-minute classroom sessions. She will also spend one-on-one time with students addressing their academic and social needs.

Fowlie began her education career as an elementary school teacher. She spent six years as a teacher before becoming a guidance counselor. This is her third year in the position. Fowlie decided to adjust her career path after seeing how student-learning relied on more than academics.

“I wanted to help students first as teacher, as I was more interested in their academic growth,” she said. “But later, I realized my passion was to assist in their emotional well-being. My classroom experience showed in order to meet their academic needs, educators need to first help meet their emotional needs.”

Fowlie works one day a week. The limited schedule gives her more time to spend with her husband, Justin, and their three boys, Andrew, Avery and Kameron.

Fowlie decided to become an educator to follow in her parents’ footsteps. She described her mother, Becky, a retired school teacher, and her father, Al, as people committed to helping others.

“I couldn't wait to become a teacher because after having observed my parents I knew I wanted to help others too,” she said. “They always took a helping role within our church, our family and our business. They were always caretakers in the community. And that is something I want to do as well.”

Fowlie graduated from Boothbay Region High School. She received her elementary education and psychology undergraduate degrees from Gordon College in Massachusetts. She later earned a master’s degree in counseling  from the University of Southern Maine. Her first introduction to teaching came at an early age. As a 12-year-old, she began instructing young children at Boothbay Baptist Church Sunday and Vacation Bible schools.

As a guidance counselor, Fowlie works every Friday providing services for 25 students in grade one through six.