In the cramped corner office of the guidance room, color and comfort streaks from the walls and threatens to burst from the small confines. Walls are adorned with posters of pets, artistic stills of Maine’s nature and a plethora of encouraging imagery. In this small corner, Triton’s newest hire, Sean Godbout, makes a safe haven for students.
”[Godbout] has quickly weaved himself into the fabric of the Triton community,” said predecessor and Godbout’s mentor, Dr. Erik Champy.
Mr. Godbout is Triton’s new guidance counselor and he, while sharing similarities with the beloved Dr. Champy [he] is not the same person. Getting to know the new counselor is key to a connection with him and success in the future. And there are plenty of interesting facts surrounding the faculty member — a nature enthusiast, music lover, and pet owner.
But the highlight of his grand entry? This is not Godbout’s first time walking Triton’s halls.
Transferring into Triton amidst freshman year, Godbout quickly melted into the melting pot of community in our high school. He found his place specifically within the music program, even being able to form a band and play in the auditorium.
Godbout recounts a specific moment as a student here: when the heroin epidemic was getting bad in our area – Godbout got together with a group of students and the anatomy teacher and decided to put on a concert and raise money for those struggling with substance abuse and their treatment.
“That was probably one of my probably proudest moments as a high school student, being part of that,” said Godbout. “I was glad to be part of a community that was so willing to help others.
Described by his former guidance counselor and mentor, Dr. Champy, as “diligent” and a “scholar and gentleman,” Godbout was an excellent student, heavily involved in each community he interacted with, especially the arts, challenging himself to step outside of his comfort zone and step up for his community. These are traits which carried over into his adult life.
After graduating from Triton in 2017, Godbout went on to Salem State for college, aiming to become a high school English teacher. However, halfway through his undergraduate degree, he began wondering if that was the right choice for him. Meeting with his advisor brought up the idea of being a guidance counselor, which sparked something in him.
“It could be a great role because I can work in a school … but also make a difference… be a safe person for students,” said Godbout.
Upon finishing his undergraduate degree and beginning his master’s, Godbout began working at Triton in the middle school as an instructional assistant, then at Salisbury Elementary as a Supervisor of Students. It was last year that Godbout interned here, working under Dr. Champy, and Ms. B as he finished up his master’s degree, earning himself dual licenseship to be both a social worker and a guidance counselor. This path has led him to where he is now, making a home in his corner of the guidance office.
For this year, Godbout is focusing on getting to know students and building relationships with them.
“I want all my students to feel like they can come to me with anything,” said Godbout. He aims to get a feel for the needs of the school as a whole and establish himself and his role as a guidance counselor.
When asked if he felt any pressure to be another version of Dr. Champy, Godbout disagreed that he felt any pressure to do so.
“Dr. Champy has such a presence and I know that nobody can fill his shoes…” said Godbout. “What’s great about this community [is] that everybody knows ‘Oh, Dr. Champy is Dr. Champy. He was excellent but now we have Mr. Godbout and he’ll be great too, just different’.”
Outside of school, Mr. Godbout is all about music, from listening to it, to playing the drums, the guitar, singing and even writing his own songs.
“Music is a big part of my identity,” said Godbout. Like plenty of New Englanders, Godbout also enjoys the natural world, specifically citing camping and boating as some of his favorite hobbies.
“If I’m not working at school you’ll find me playing music somewhere or up north in the woods,” said Godbout.
Mr. Godbout is looking forward to this school year, optimistic about what he can do — whether it’s meeting with students on his caseload or running GSA alongside Ms. Christian. “I can see him accomplishing all that he sets out to,” said Ms. Christian, current mentor of Godbout.
“I’m so happy about this decision, truly,” said Dr. Champy. “It could bring tears to my eyes, how happy I am and how much faith I have in Sean Godbout.”
