Tippecanoe School Corporation
McCutcheon counselor receives national fellowship
Sue Scott

Ruling Our eXperiences (ROX), a national nonprofit organization focused on the health, safety, education and empowerment of girls, selected McCutcheon High School counselor Ebony Gilbert for its national diversity fellowship program. She completed a 3-day ROX facilitator licensure training in Columbus, Ohio.

Dr. Patty Diversity Fellows are women of color with a license in social work, counseling, education or school psychology. They are trained to lead an evidence-based curriculum that teaches girls the skills needed to navigate challenges including confidence, body image, social media, relationships and leadership. The fellowship includes funding for McCutcheon to implement the program for the next two years for up to 30 girls.

Gilbert, who has been with the TSC for 11 years, holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Purdue University. She has started the ROX program with a group of 10 sophomore and freshman girls at McCutcheon.

“I have seen the power of the dynamic that happens when girls get together and have a safe space to be themselves,” says Gilbert. “They have formed friendships that didn't exist previously, and are learning how to be more assertive and supportive of one another. I am really excited to see how this group will continue to grow.”

Gilbert is already seeing positive results with the program. She hopes it will spark others to become trained facilitators so the program can be offered to more students.