Charlotte C. Richter
Charlotte C. Richter loved being “Señorita Clinton” at Highland Park Middle School. But in her nine years as a Spanish teacher, she realized that she cared more about who her students were and who they were becoming than how well they could conjugate verbs.
In 2020, she transitioned to the role of professional school counselor at McCulloch Intermediate School and Highland Park Middle School. Richter now supports students and their families from fifth to eighth grade. She said she grows along with her young charges.
“I find the work I do as a school counselor to be challenging almost every day,” Richter said. “I am quick to recognize that parents entrust their treasures, their children, to us at school — and the business of understanding and caring for people is always nuanced and of utmost importance.”
Richter began providing support for children in her first job as a camp counselor at Camp Longhorn. Prior to completing her Master of Education and teacher certification, she spent three years at Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support as a bilingual family advocate for women and children who had experienced domestic violence.
Richter and her husband are also involved in All Saints Dallas church. Richter has led Bible studies for groups of young women since 2017, has served on the board of directors of Kershaw’s Challenge, and is a member of the Junior League of Dallas and the Junior Group of the Marianne Scruggs Garden Club.
What (or who) motivated you to get involved in the community?
My parents are fantastic models of investment in community, our privilege and responsibility to care for those around us. My parents, Rita and Cleve Clinton, have been immensely generous of their time, resources, and talents to Highland Park United Methodist Church, Highland Park ISD, the City of University Park, The Rotary Club of the Park Cities, and other community organizations. Their example inspires me to invest and give back in the same way.
What accomplishment are you the proudest of and why?
I’m proudest to be a mom! Professionally, I was deeply honored to be named Teacher of the Year for Highland Park Middle School early in my career as an educator. I was truly humbled to be acknowledged among such a strong community of educators.
What’s a fun fact that someone wouldn’t know about you?
To celebrate my 30th birthday, two of my best friends and I ran a 30-mile route in and around Dallas. Friends and family jumped in to cheer or run with us along the course, and even huddling under an overpass near White Rock Lake to wait out a terrific thunderstorm only added to the fun! Our route ended at a friend’s house where we celebrated with a party and the Hamburger Man.
What was your first job and what did you learn from it?
My first job was as a camp counselor at Camp Longhorn. Even at that time, I remember joking that I loved it so much, I needed to find a career where I could be a camp counselor! While my role as a school counselor isn’t exactly a camp counselor, there are certainly some fun similarities!
Where do you see yourself and/or your career 10 years from now?
As public education in Texas is an ever-moving target, I have to say I’m not sure where the career path of middle school counseling may take me. As my own 9-month-old son could be one of my students in 10 years, I can only hope that I am able to stay current with the most effective counseling strategies available.
What’s on your bucket list?
My husband Adam and I just had our first child in May of 2024. Most of our bucket list thoughts now center around raising our son Harris and making family memories.
What would you tell an 18-year-old you?
“Just take the next step; it’s all part of the story! You may not know your ultimate goal from the very beginning, but if you keep searching for what makes you tick and what gives you purpose, the pieces continue to fall into place, little by little.”
