Gretchen Slaughter, a veteran school counselor with 21 years of experience. Slaughter shares her journey from aspiring lawyer to passionate high school counselor, highlighting her work at Bear Creek High School in Jeffco. The conversation centers on her transformative concurrent enrollment program, which has grown from three classes to 32, providing students with free college credits and expanding educational opportunities.

Slaughter discusses the importance of career longevity, advocating for teachers, and supporting students' academic and personal growth. She emphasizes the need for self-care, recognizing burnout, and finding passion within the counseling profession. Through her work, she has helped create pathways for students to access higher education, particularly for families who might have previously seen college as out of reach.

The episode offers insights into the challenges and rewards of school counseling, with Slaughter's infectious enthusiasm and commitment to student success shining throughout. She provides practical advice for counselors on maintaining professional resilience, building supportive programs, and creating meaningful educational experiences for students.

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Ann Halcromb is a seasoned school counselor with 36 years of experience in education. She discusses the importance of administrator-counselor relationships, self-care, and professional development. Ann shares her journey from aspiring veterinarian to educator and counselor, highlighting her passion for supporting students and volunteering at the Denver Zoo.

The conversation explores the challenges of school counseling, emphasizing the need for open communication with administrators and regular collaborative meetings. Ann discusses her involvement with the Colorado School Counselor Association (CSCA), including her roles as middle school vice president and board mentor.

In this episode, you will hear about finding joy, practicing self-care, and supporting fellow educators. Ann offers advice on maintaining wellness, enjoying small moments, and creating positive work environments. The episode provides insights into the rewarding yet challenging world of school counseling.

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Currently serving as the Project AWARE coordinator for District 11, Maddy has been involved with the Colorado School Counselor Association (CSCA) since 2021. She began as an emerging leader and now chairs the PR committee, managing social media and highlighting the association's important work.

Maddy discusses her creative approach to elementary school counseling, including innovative programs like "Personal Space Camp" and using heart rate watches to help students understand emotional regulation. She emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships with administrators and prioritizing student well-being.

The conversation delves into the challenges of school counseling, including managing compassion fatigue and maintaining self-care. Maddy candidly shares her own experiences with burnout and the importance of seeking help, offering advice to new counselors that their work is a marathon, not a sprint.

Her recent trip to Washington, D.C. to honor school counselors of the year and her commitment to supporting students shine through in this inspiring interview.

Here are some resources Maddie sent to add for her notes:

IHT (Heart Rate Watches) https://ihtusa.com/

Random Acts of Kindness https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/

Teacher's Encyclopedia of Behavior Management Amazon Link

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Anna Gisetti and Vicki Helfer discuss the importance of school counseling and the challenges faced by school counselors. They highlight the significance of National School Counseling Week, which focuses on the profession rather than individual counselors. Vicki Helfer, the 2023 High School Counselor of the Year, shares her journey into school counseling, driven by her own mental health struggles and the desire to support others. She emphasizes the importance of data-driven advocacy, particularly for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and discusses her efforts to increase the number of school counselors in her building. Helfer also touches on the need for self-care to prevent burnout and the importance of staying informed and providing safe spaces for students amidst changing political climates.

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Anna Gisetti and Chris Lindsey discuss the significance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the importance of reflecting on one's legacy. Chris shares his journey from PR to school counseling, emphasizing the impact of administrative support and professional development. He highlights his role in removing financial barriers for students, particularly through FAFSA assistance, and the importance of community college presentations. Chris also mentions the challenges of navigating district priorities and the need for creative funding solutions. He advocates for self-care and team support to maintain well-being in the challenging field of school counseling.

The Website for Federal Student Aid is here.

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In this episode, Anna interviews Michelle Zinser, a high school counselor and co-chair of the CSCA Ethics Committee. Michelle discusses the importance of self-care and rejuvenation during school breaks, as well as her journey into education and school counseling, including her time teaching in Morocco. The conversation then focuses on the work of the CSCA Ethics Committee, which provides guidance and resources to school counselors facing ethical dilemmas. Michelle emphasizes the need for school counselors to be informed about ethics, law, and policy in order to best advocate for students, and she highlights the value of collaboration and consultation when navigating complex situations.

Contact Michelle via email here.

Email the Ethics Committee for questions at Ethics@coloradoschoolcounselor.org.

View the ASCA Ethical Standards here.

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Guinevere Husic, a school counselor, discusses the challenges and rewards of her role, particularly at the end of a school semester. She highlights the importance of rest and personal activities like video games and reading for rejuvenation. Guinevere shares her journey from teaching high school science to counseling, emphasizing the need for advocacy and data collection to secure additional counseling support for K-8 students. She explains the unique needs of gifted students, including the importance of productive struggle and SEL support. Guinevere also discusses resources for counselors working with gifted students and the benefits of being part of the Colorado School Counselor Association.

Connect with Guinevere's LinkedIn here.

Find out more about SCMHI here.

Email Katie through the CSCA website.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented (CAGT)

National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC)

The Gifted Guru

Byrdseed

Embracing the Whole Gifted Self, by Patricia Gatto-Walden

Handbook for Counselors Serving Students with Gifts and Talents, ed. by Tracy L. Cross & Jennifer Riedl Cross

Off the Charts: Asynchrony and the Gifted Child, ed. by Christine S. Neville, Michael M. Piechowski. & Stephanie S. Tolan

Bright, Talented, and Black: a Guide for Families of African American Gifted Learners, by Joy Lawson Davis

Doing Poorly on Purpose: Strategies to Reverse Underachievement and Respect Student Dignity, by James R. Delisle

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Katie Brown, a school counselor from Pueblo, Colorado, discusses her journey into education, her role as a school counselor, and her involvement with the Colorado School Counselor Association (CSCA). She highlights the importance of advocacy, sharing her experience as a political and community organizer. Katie emphasizes the need for school counselors to be involved in advocacy at all levels, from individual student needs to state-level legislative changes. She mentions the success of securing $2 million for counselor core grants and the efforts to reduce student-to-counselor ratios. Katie encourages school counselors to get involved in advocacy and to use resources like the Shmi survey to share their experiences.

Connect with Katie's LinkedIn here.

Find out more about SCMHI here.

Email Katie through the CSCA website.

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