This week's episode is all about getting money for professional development... specifically what I've learned and how I'd recommend going about getting that money for future professional development opportunities. I've had all different responses to my personal asks for professional funding for a variety of ways to grow myself and my practice as a high school counselor. Those responses didn't stop me from asking time and time again. Listen for my strategies to get the money you want for the PD o...
Jul 18, 2022•14 min•Season 1Ep. 31
You want to grow and invest in yourself with quality professional development, but you don't have the time or brainspace to vet those resources. This episode will give you 5 opportunities for "unicorn" trainings and teachings that will serve YOU as a high school counselor. (And you bet I'm giving my honest opinions!) As you listen, set some goals and dreams as you imagine where you might choose to invest in yourself professionally this upcoming school year! Resources Mentioned: Podcast: Episode ...
Jul 11, 2022•15 min•Season 1Ep. 30
Start with YOURSELF when deciding how you’re going to make the most impact on your students! Most of us would acknowledge that “impact” is one of the biggest outcomes we value in being a school counselor. We want to see students grow as a result of the services our school counseling program provides. In this episode, you’ll consider YOUR “WHY” and decide where you need to move in order to make that lasting impact with your students. Resources Mentioned: Resource: Games, Mixers, and Ice Breakers ...
Jul 04, 2022•14 min•Season 1Ep. 29
This episode is all about why you shouldn’t dismiss or disregard the importance of high school counselor community! As humans who naturally desire connection, we shouldn’t miss out on community in our work sector of life! Listen to this episode if you’re looking for high school counselor community to fill a need you might not even be realizing that you have. We’re wired for belonging and built for relationships… so why not lean into that in your work life like you do in your personal life? Resou...
Jun 27, 2022•9 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Are you a veteran high school counselor looking for some refreshment and respite as you head into the summer? If you’re tired and stuck, give this episode a listen! Reset your mindset and look for new inspiration to get yourself in the right headspace to serve your students next year. Resources Mentioned: Subscribe to the NEW private podcast! Episode 22: A Pep Talk for New High School Counselors Resource: Growth Mindset Digital Counseling Activity Amazon Storefront: Fidgets and other fun items f...
Jun 20, 2022•14 min•Season 1Ep. 27
In this episode, we get to hear some voices from the field give their best tips to high school counseling interns (and even new high school counselors at that)! Listen in on a wealth of knowledge that these veteran high schools share with their new colleagues. A special thanks to those who left voice memos with their words of wisdom to high school counseling interns: Michaela, Erica, Celeste, Jeff, Rica, Lissa, Lorraine, Allison, Lindsey, Cathy, Tae’Lor, and Jessica. Resources Mentioned: Save th...
Jun 13, 2022•24 min•Season 1Ep. 26
In Episode 25, I chronicle my personal practicum and internship experiences with a walk down memory lane… specifically deep-diving into an influential supervisor mentorship that pushed me completely outside of my comfort zone. Then we jump into 4 tips that culminate my best advice for interns after (obviously) being an intern, supervising interns, and being a teammate to those who have also taken interns under their wing. Be sure to take 30 seconds or less and CLICK HERE to leave a voice memo wi...
Jun 06, 2022•19 min•Season 1Ep. 25
The ASCA conference is coming up in July in Austin, Texas for school counselors from all over the nation to gather, share, and learn together! I’ve been to two conferences in the past, and I’m sharing those experiences in this episode. I also talk about 5 tips for first-timers or those who just want a refresher about what to expect or what may help make the trip a success! If you’re still debating going, know that it’s absolutely worth it! I won’t be there this year, but I’m hoping to get there ...
May 30, 2022•16 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Even if you’re doing some summer work, there’s still a huge opportunity for you to evaluate how your personal boundaries are currently set around work in order to set a more intentional work/life balance. Summer is a time to rest, recharge, and reset. It’s time to take what you need for YOURSELF when you get a little break from the hustle of the school year. It’s time to take notice of your body’s cues and realize what you need (emotionally, mentally, physically) to recharge and what habits you ...
May 23, 2022•12 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Calling all new high school counselors! Get pumped up with a pre-game pep talk as you accept your new job role and daydream about next year already. This pep talk gave me an adrenaline rush just saying it aloud to you! I want it to give you the confidence that you need to prepare for a new role! Resources Mentioned: Get on the waitlist for the Clique Collaborative - doors open August 15! Mental Health Digital Counseling Check-In Activity Blog Post: Dear New High School Counselor Connect with Lau...
May 16, 2022•10 min•Season 1Ep. 22
You’re closing out your year… but what exactly are you doing? Is it what everyone else is doing? Listen to this week’s episode and consider these ideas as you tie up loose ends and head into the summer months. In this episode, we talk about finishing up those end-of-year tasks, setting your caseload up for success this summer, and prepping (only) what you feel the need to this summer. Resources Mentioned: Data Ideas Collection Guide (free!) Clique Collaborative Waitlist Counselor Clique Bulletin...
May 09, 2022•13 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Rachel from Bright Futures Counseling invited me on her podcast School Counseling Simplified to talk through some sample interview questions. I wanted to go ahead and share the same conversation over here on my podcast to make sure you didn’t miss it! Rachel and I spend this episode giving our answers to a ton of sample interview questions from the ASCA website. Her answers come from an elementary and middle school lens whereas mine come from a high school point of view. If you're looking to swi...
May 02, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Lauren LaPera and Vira James of Ashley Ridge High School in Charleston, South Carolina bring their voices to the High School Counseling Conversations podcast! Listen as Lauren and Vira’s passion and desire for growth shines through this conversation! These two rockstar high school counselors share exactly what using an advisory council has done for their school counseling program and why the advisory council was the FIRST THING they implemented before they made any other big changes in their dep...
Apr 25, 2022•39 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Listen to this week’s episode for ideas and inspiration to get your advisory council of the ground next year! Here are numbers 6 through 10 of 10 key stakeholders to have at your advisory council meeting next year. Send me a DM after you’ve listened to both parts and let me know who you’re inviting to your meeting as you anticipate it gearing up next year! Resources Mentioned: 10 Key Stakeholders to Invite to Your School Counseling Advisory Council- Part 1 (Episode 17) 3 Ideas to Consider Before...
Apr 18, 2022•16 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Take a listen to Part 1 of this 2-part episode where I talk about the first 5 stakeholders to consider inviting to be on your advisory council. Learn who you should not forget to invite to the table for this invaluable meeting where you’ll share data, welcome feedback, and brainstorm new ideas. Think critically about specific people who can add worth to your conversations. After you listen to this episode, spend some time beginning your list in a Google Doc or a note in your phone. Send me a DM ...
Apr 11, 2022•14 min•Season 1Ep. 17
School counseling advisory councils can feel very daunting and sort of unnecessary if you don’t have one in place yet. You’re probably wondering “WHY?” In today’s episode, I’m talking about 3 big ideas to consider before diving headfirst into starting a school counseling advisory council. My hope is that these ideas would help you see the benefits and positive outcomes that could come from establishing this powerful think tank for your program. Resources Mentioned: Waitlist for the Clique Collab...
Apr 04, 2022•12 min•Season 1Ep. 16
A dream becomes a reality as I get to interview my dear friend, Rebecca Joyner of It’s Not Rocket Science. As a former high school science teacher, Rebecca gives us the teacher perspective that we’ve been needing as we talk about classroom lessons and classroom management! Rebecca truly believes that the root of a good classroom lesson and classroom management strategy is building relationships with students inside and outside of the classroom. This episode covers SO much. Rebecca encourages us ...
Mar 28, 2022•48 min•Season 1Ep. 15
I’ve got what you need if you’re ready to grow your confidence instead of being nervous in your core curriculum classroom lessons! If you’re looking to be more comfortable in the classroom setting (even if you didn’t go to school to be a teacher), Episode 14 is for you! Listen in for 3 practical ways to develop this confidence with high school counseling classroom lessons and actually be excited when it’s time to do them! Resources Mentioned: Goal Setting and Soft Skills Classroom Lesson: www.co...
Mar 21, 2022•12 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Not sure where to start when you want to incorporate social-emotional learning into your high school counseling program… specifically your classroom lessons? The way this happens in every school is unique. The topics and focus points will be different. Confidence levels on this vary from counselor to counselor. My hope is that these 3 ideas will get your brain turning on how to bring social-emotional learning into your high school core curriculum in a way that works for YOU. Resources Mentioned:...
Mar 14, 2022•9 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Every student wants to be seen and known. Names are a huge part of making that happen. When you remember a student’s name, you’re developing relational credibility which is a currency like none other! Whether your mind is a steel trap for names or you’ve hit your name capacity like me, Episode 12 will leave you inspired to get memorizing your students’ names and use them in your high school counseling classroom lessons! Resources Mentioned: Counselor Clique Classroom Lessons: www.counselorclique...
Mar 07, 2022•13 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Let's jump back into talking all about facilitating small groups in the high school setting! If you missed the first part of this extended episode, check out Part 1 of 2 High School Counseling Conversations episodes all about facilitating high school counseling small groups. In Part 2, you'll catch 3 more useful tips for running your groups with confidence and, ultimately, providing more comprehensive counseling services for your students. Resources Mentioned: Free Resource: Stress Management Co...
Feb 28, 2022•18 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Check out Part 1 of 2 episodes all about facilitating high school counseling small groups. Running high school counseling small groups can feel incredibly intimidating depending on your training from grad school, your personality, or the mix of students in your group. Use these tips to get planning and facilitating high school counseling small groups with confidence! In this episode, you'll hear about 3 practical tips for running your groups with confidence. Walk away inspired and motivated! Res...
Feb 21, 2022•13 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Are you new to this whole small groups at the high school level thing? Wondering where to even start? Here are 3 ideas for starting high school counseling small groups from scratch in your high school and other tips for how to avoid the common pitfalls that keep counselors from making them happen. Resources Mentioned: 4-Day High School Counseling Advocacy Email Challenge: www.counselorclique.com/challenge School Counseling Small Group Data Spreadsheet Shop all of Counselor Clique’s small group c...
Feb 14, 2022•12 min•Season 1Ep. 9
In Episode 8, I’m talking about 3 ways to find success in high school counseling small groups BEFORE you even get started. These tips include: creating a needs assessment, communicating with your stakeholders, and just plain having fun! Resources Mentioned: 4-Day High School Counseling Advocacy Email Challenge: www.counselorclique.com/challenge School Counseling Small Group Data Spreadsheet Shop all of Counselor Clique’s small group counseling resources Connect with Lauren: Join my email list an...
Feb 07, 2022•19 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Help reset your high school counseling team whether you’re the department head or a passionate team player. In this last episode of our month of “resets,” you’ll hear about reestablishing some helpful habits in the department and helping each team member feel seen and valued for their gifts, talents, and abilities. Find the Resources: Blog Post: “3 Simple Ways to Decide Who Does What In Your School Counseling Program” Blog Post: “6 Keys to Holding a Productive School Counseling Department Planni...
Jan 31, 2022•6 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Join me for my first guest episode with Emily Deemer! Emily is a K-12 school counselor in Pennsylvania, and she’s also a member of my high school counseling membership, the Clique Collaborative . I thought it would be helpful to hear from someone who has experienced the membership for themselves and share a bit from their perspective. Come listen to my first interview-style podcast as we discuss the membership before doors close on Thursday, January 27 at midnight! Resources Mentioned: School Co...
Jan 24, 2022•30 min•Season 1Ep. 6
It’s time to clean up (or at least straighten up) your physical and mental high school counselor spaces as you head into 2022. Reset your surroundings and breathe easier once you do. Listen to Episode 5 for some tangible takeaways to update your spaces and start crushing all of your high school counselor tasks. I know you could use a cheering section to finish out this year, and I have just the (super timely) resource for you! Find the Resources: Blog Post: “3 Practical Reasons You Need a Qualit...
Jan 17, 2022•6 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Since my brain doesn’t naturally divide tasks into orderly or efficient systems, I’m forced to do a little work to make this part of my life manageable. Here are 3 tips to reset your systems for the new year if you’re looking to make some small changes that yield big results in your high school counseling world. Find the Resources: Some digital appointment booking apps: Calendly , YouCanBook.Me , Acuity Scheduling Blog Post: “Taking Back Your Calendar: 3 Helpful Tips to Prioritize Your Job and A...
Jan 10, 2022•8 min•Season 1Ep. 4
In Episode 3 of High School Counseling Conversations, we talk about 3 practical ways to reset with your school administrators as you head into the new year. When school counselors and administrators (whether it be principals or assistant principals) work together, they can move mountains! As you continue a healthy, open dialogue with your administrators, you’ll find yourself growing professionally and loving your job the way that you should! Instead of being discouraged as you head into a new se...
Jan 03, 2022•7 min•Season 1Ep. 3
It can be hard to find the motivation to try new ideas, learn new ways of doing things, or change our perspectives on “how things have always been done.” … or maybe you just don’t know where to start as you head into a new year. You must believe that what you do truly matters! Here are 3 ways to reset yourself as you enter into the new year or new semester. Give these 3 things a shot to help make a more profound impact on students! Find the Resources: Freebie: Self-Care Goal Sheet Blog post: 3 W...
Jan 03, 2022•7 min•Season 1Ep. 2
