High School Counseling Conversations®

Can you believe that in 150 episodes of this podcast, I've never taken a week off from releasing episodes? Well, the time has come! High School Counseling Conversations will be on an official break from November 2024-January 2025. I'll return with new episodes in February 2025.While we're on break, I invite you to enjoy previous episodes (check out my favorite playlists below!). If you have a specific topic you're looking for, send me a DM on Instagram @counselorclique. Thank you for being a listener of the show!Check Out These Podcast Playlists While We're on a Break:Advocacy: https://counselorclique.com/advocacyplaylist Reset for the New Year: https://counselorclique.com/resetplaylistClassroom Lessons: http://counselorclique.com/classroomplaylistCollege Readiness: https://counselorclique.com/collegeplaylistNew Counselors: http://counselorclique.com/newcounselorplaylistSmall Group Counseling: https://counselorclique.com/smallgroupplaylistResources Mentioned: Guest Episode Application: https://counselorclique.com/podcastguestLeave your review for School Counseling Conversations on Apple PodcastsConnect with Lauren:Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job Interviews https://counselorclique.com/interviewsVisit my TpT store https://counselorclique.com/shopSend me a DM on Instagram @counselorclique https://instagram.com/counselorcliqueFollow me on Facebook https://facebook.com/counselorcliqueSend me an email mailto:lauren@counselorclique.comJoin the Clique Collaborative http://cliquecollab.com

We talk about a lot of sensitive topics as school counselors, and today is no exception. We’re taking a deep dive into child sex trafficking. Heavy, I know. But with sex trafficking happening all around us, this just might be the conversation you never knew you needed to hear.I’m joined by Krystal Nierman of Switch, an organization fighting to end sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. Krystal shares what sex trafficking really looks like…and there’s a good chance it’s not what you think! Plus, you’ll hear how to spot the red flags among students, what to do if you suspect it’s happening, and actions we can take (and teach to others) to help prevent sex trafficking.Be sure to check the links below for more valuable resources on this topic. This is something that could be affecting students at your own school in various ways, so keep asking questions and follow your gut if you feel like something is off. Share this episode with fellow counselors to help spread awareness around child sex trafficking!Resources Mentioned: Free Resource: Editable Scholarship Spreadsheet - https://counselorclique.com/scholarship Switch Website: https://switchsc.orgNational Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMC): https://www.missingkids.org/home Child Sex Trafficking: https://www.missingkids.org/theissues/trafficking Child Sexual Abuse Material: https://www.missingkids.org/theissues/csam National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE): https://endsexualexploitation.orgConnect with Lauren:Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job Interviews https://counselorclique.com/interviewsVisit my TpT store https://counselorclique.com/shopSend me a DM on Instagram @counselorclique https://instagram.com/counselorcliqueFollow me on Facebook https://facebook.com/counselorcliqueSend me an email mailto:lauren@counselorclique.comJoin the Clique Collaborative http://cliquecollab.comFull show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode150

What do you do if a student tells you they’re pregnant? There’s a good chance you were asked this question during a job interview because it’s a situation that you will probably run into sooner rather than later. In fact, if you’ve been a high school counselor for any length of time, it’s highly likely that you’ve already supported pregnant students! The truth is, you want to be prepared to not only support your students during their pregnancy but also throughout their journey as a teen parent. As we know, the challenges your students will face don’t end after having their baby. There are interventions you can put in place to help your pregnant students transition to parenthood and reach their future goals.In this episode, I’m sharing ideas for supporting your pregnant students in three specific areas: their relationships, their knowledge, and their motivation. You’ll hear about resources and sample questions that you can ask your parenting and pregnant students in each of these categories. If you have questions or ideas around serving this unique population, send me a message on Instagram @counselorclique! Resources Mentioned: Resource: The Clique Collaborative - www.cliquecollab.com Resource: Classroom Lesson Roadmap - http://www.counselorclique.com/classroomroadmap Resource: CDC Teen Pregnancy DataResource: U.S. and State Trends on Teen Births, 1990-2019Resource: U.S. Teen Birth Rate Reached Another Historic Low in 2022Resource: Teen Birth Rate by StateArticle: State Teen Birth Rates by Race and Hispanic Origin: United States, 2017–2018 (Hamilton, 2020) Leave your review for School Counseling Conversations on Apple PodcastsFull show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode149Connect with Lauren:Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job Interviews https://counselorclique.com/interviewsVisit my TpT store https://counselorclique.com/shopSend me a DM on Instagram @counselorclique https://instagram.com/counselorcliqueFollow me on Facebook https://facebook.com/counselorcliqueSend me an email mailto:lauren@counselorclique.comJoin the Clique Collaborative

You may not realize this, but you have a unique superpower in your role as a high school counselor! You have the ability to nurture your students and walk them through four of the most important years of their life. One practice that will help you strengthen this superpower is cultural competency.Today’s guest, Jocelynn Hubbard, is here to help us develop cultural competency at work and in our personal lives. It starts with becoming more aware of your beliefs, your biases, and all of your lived experiences. Then you start to see how this compares with your students and how you can use that information to better support them as individuals. Jocelynn breaks down exactly what cultural competency is and how it can inform your counseling practice. She gives great examples of what this practice looks like day to day. You’ll quickly see how every moment of your day can become an opportunity to develop cultural competency and strengthen relationships with your students! After listening, you can download Jocelynn’s Roadmap to inform you of your next steps.Resources Mentioned: Free Resource: Scholarship Spreadsheet - https://counselorclique.com/scholarship Free Resource: The Welcoming & Culturally Inclusive Classroom Roadmap - https://customteachingsolutions.com/theroadmap/ Jocelynn's Podcast: The Culture-Centered ClassroomResource: What Should Culturally Relevant Teaching Look Like Today? Gloria Ladson-Billings ExplainsResource: Cultivating Genius: An Equity Framework for Culturally and Historically Responsive Literacy, by Gholdy Muhammad Resource: Dr. Geneva GayLeave your review for School Counseling Conversations on Apple PodcastsFull show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode148Connect with Lauren:Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job Interviews https://counselorclique.com/interviewsVisit my TpT store https://counselorclique.com/shopSend me a DM on Instagram @counselorclique https://instagram.com/counselorcliqueFollow me on Facebook https://facebook.com/counselorcliqueSend me an email mailto:lauren@counselorclique.comJoin the Clique Collaborative http://cliquecollab.com

Have your students ever expressed interest in taking a gap year? A gap year is more than just time off! It’s a deliberate period to explore personal, practical, and professional interests before transitioning to post-secondary education. Under the right circumstances, and with intentional planning, a gap year could be the perfect option for some students.This is a topic we’ve never discussed on the podcast before, so I’m excited to talk about it today. Gap year education expert, Julia Rogers, joins me in this episode to break down exactly what a gap year is (and isn’t) and to share various gap year opportunities for your high school students. From traveling in Europe to working locally or taking a structured experiential semester, the possibilities for a gap year are endless. After listening to this conversation, you’ll have plenty of resources to share with students and parents…and you might even find that you’re interested in taking your own gap year!Resources Mentioned: Free Resource: Editable Scholarship Spreadsheet - https://counselorclique.com/scholarship Resource: Join the GYA Annual Membership for $10 with code GYEM2024 - https://www.gapyearassociation.org/gya-membership/high-school-college-counselors/Resource: The Gap Year AssociationResource: Gap Year Planning GuideResource: Gap Year Exploration MonthResource: Go OverseasResource: USA Gap Year FairsResource: TeenLifeLeave your review for School Counseling Conversations on Apple PodcastsFull show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode147 Connect with Lauren:Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job Interviews https://counselorclique.com/interviewsVisit my TpT store https://counselorclique.com/shopSend me a DM on Instagram @counselorclique https://instagram.com/counselorcliqueFollow me on Facebook https://facebook.com/counselorcliqueSend me an email mailto:lauren@counselorclique.comJoin the Clique Collaborative http://cliquecollab.com

When you work in a school, there are a million and one things to think about every single day. School safety is at the top of that list, and might even be one of the more intimidating parts of your job. If there was a crisis, would you know what to do? Do you have a strong grasp on what your role as a school counselor is when it comes to crisis management? Let’s talk about it!My guest today, Brandy Samuell, knows quite a bit about school safety and crisis management. Brandy is the director of mental health and related services at eLuma and has an extensive background in public education. She’s here to share her story of how she handled being in a leadership position during a tragedy in her school district, and what she learned from the experience.Brandy and I talk through preventative measures and interventions that counselors can put in place for students and practical tips for creating a safe school environment. While we might not want to think about worst-case scenarios happening in our school, it’s important to be prepared for them! If this episode is helpful for you, please share it with a counselor friend and leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts.Resources Mentioned: Resource: Back-to-School High School Counseling Bundle - https://counselorclique.com/btsbundleResource: Grief and Loss Digital Activity - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Grief-and-Loss-Digital-School-Counseling-Activity-7045695?utm_source=Podcast%20Ep%20145&utm_campaign=Grief%20and%20Loss%20Digital Resource: Crisis Bucket for School Counselors - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Crisis-Bucket-for-School-Counselors-4391950?utm_source=Podcast%20Ep%20145&utm_campaign=Crisis%20Bucket%20ResourceResource: Critical Incident Stress Management Resource: DESSA Aperture SystemLeave your review for School Counseling Conversations on Apple PodcastsFull show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode146Connect with Lauren:Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job Interviews https://counselorclique.com/interviewsVisit my TpT store https://counselorclique.com/shopSend me a DM on Instagram @counselorclique https://instagram.com/counselorcliqueFollow me on Facebook https://facebook.com/counselorcliqueSend me an email a...

Have you checked your phone’s screen time lately? If you’re anything like me, you might be embarrassed about how much time you actually spend on your phone, specifically the time spent scrolling on social media. I use social media for both work and personal purposes, and I was beginning to feel like I was spending way more time on these apps than I wanted to be.So, I decided to challenge myself by giving up social media for a month! I was curious to see how a break from social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook would affect my daily life. In this episode, I’m sharing the highs and lows of this experiment. You’ll hear how it felt to step away from the digital noise, the impact on my personal relationships, and even some unexpected benefits I discovered along the way. This conversation also applies to your professional role. As school counselors, our relationship with social media can be a double-edged sword. While it helps us connect and share valuable resources, it’s important to maintain a healthy balance. I hope this episode inspires you to reflect on your own social media habits and even take on a similar challenge if you’re feeling up to it! If you have ever tried a social media hiatus, send me a message on Instagram @counselorclique (yes, I’m back, but with healthy boundaries!) or an email to lauren@counselorclique.com. I’d love to know how it went for you!Resources Mentioned: Free Resource: Scholarship Spreadsheet - https://counselorclique.com/scholarship Resource: Healthy Relationships Classroom Lesson - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Healthy-Relationships-Classroom-Lesson-for-High-School-Students-7176249?utm_source=Podcast%20Ep%20146&utm_campaign=Healthy%20Relationships%20Classroom Resource: Soft Skills Bundle - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Soft-Skills-Bundle-for-High-School-Students-8194384?utm_source=Podcast%20Ep%20146&utm_campaign=Soft%20Skills%20BundleBook: 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You by Troy Reinke - https://amzn.to/4cJQ0nD Connect with Lauren:Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job Interviews https://counselorclique.com/interviewsVisit my TpT store https://counselorclique.com/shopSend me a DM on Instagram @counselorclique https://instagram.com/counselorcliqueFollow me on Facebook https://facebook.com/counselorcliqueSend me an email mailto:lauren@counselorclique.comJoin the Clique Collaborative http://cliquecollab.comFull show notes on...

As school counselors, we know that not all of our students are going to go to college after graduating. However, for the students who do have college in their future plans, we want to make the application process as accessible as possible. Cue: College Application Day!Hosting a College Application Day is one of the best ways that we can support students as they begin their college application journey. Applying to colleges is an intimidating step for many high schoolers, so hosting a day dedicated to walking them through the process gives them a safe space to tackle this task!Now if you’ve never hosted a College Application Day before, you may be wondering what you need to do to get this event rolling and make it as successful as possible. I’ve got you covered! In this episode, I’ll walk you through all the details of hosting a College Application Day from beginning to end. Hopefully, with my advice, you’ll be ready to plan and execute an epic College Application Day at your school this year!Resources Mentioned: High School Counselor Kickstart Course: https://counselorclique.com/newcounselor I Applied Bulletin Board: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/I-Applied-College-Bulletin-Board-for-High-School-Counselors-4152773?utm_source=Podcast%20Ep%20143&utm_campaign=I%20Applied%20BB College Application Day Pennant Bulletin Board: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/College-Application-Day-Pennant-Bulletin-Board-for-High-School-3400067?utm_source=Podcast%20Ep%20143&utm_campaign=College%20App%20Day%20Pennant%20BB College Application Day Photo Booth Props: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/College-Application-Day-Photo-Booth-Props-for-High-School-Senior-Events-4936579?utm_source=Podcast%20Ep%20143&utm_campaign=CAD%20Photo%20Booth%20Props College Awareness Bulletin Board: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/College-Awareness-High-School-Bulletin-Board-7270947?utm_source=Podcast%20Ep%20143&utm_campaign=College%20Awareness%20BB Free Playlist: College Application Day Spotify Playlist: https://counselorclique.com/collegeappdayplaylist More episodes on college readiness: https://feeds.captivate.fm/high-school-counseling/college-readiness-high-school-counseling-/Blog - All the Steps for Hosting a Successful College Application Day:

Have you ever held a “Coffee with the Counselor” event at your school? This can be a great opportunity for parents to connect with counselors and other parents all while learning about a particular topic.I’ve held several “Coffee with the Counselor” events in the past, and some have been a huge hit while others didn’t quite have the turnout we’d hoped for. Along the way, I learned what logistics you need to plan for and I’m sharing them with you today. I’ll run through all the details so you can get started on prepping your very own “Coffee with the Counselor”!Running an event like this doesn’t have to be a huge undertaking. Just a bit of minimal planning can make a huge impact on parents and students. Getting parents through the door is a win in itself, right? If you’ve hosted “Coffee with the Counselor” before, I’d love to hear about it! Send me a message on Instagram @counselorclique to let me know what went well or what you’re hoping to improve on for next time.Resources:*NEW RESOURCE!*: Coffee with the Counselor Parent Workshop MaterialsResource: High School Counselor Kickstart Course - https://counselorclique.com/newcounselor Resource: NAMI [National Alliance on Mental Illness] - https://www.nami.org/Blog: Why I Love "Coffee with the Counselors" - https://counselorclique.com/coffee-with-the-counselors/Book: Love and Logic by Jim Fay - https://amzn.to/3zPE6Kz Leave your review for School Counseling Conversations on Apple PodcastsConnect with Lauren:Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job Interviews https://counselorclique.com/interviewsVisit my TpT store https://counselorclique.com/shopSend me a DM on Instagram @counselorclique https://instagram.com/counselorcliqueFollow me on Facebook https://facebook.com/counselorcliqueSend me an email mailto:lauren@counselorclique.comJoin the Clique Collaborative http://cliquecollab.comFull show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode143

Begin with the end in mind. You've probably heard this advice before, but I want it to be your mantra this school year! One of the best things you can do at the beginning of a new school year is to plan your year. I've talked on the podcast before about using organizational tools, such as a calendar, to give you a visual of your year and showcase all the good things you're doing as a counselor. So, in today's episode, I'm sharing why you need to plan your year with a 10,000-foot view and the benefits it has on your year's success.You know how busy you are as a high school counselor and the many directions you're being pulled throughout the year, which is one of the many reasons you should plan your year at the beginning of the school year. And while keeping track of your tasks helps with scheduling, there's more to your job than just administrative tasks. By taking the time to plan your year, you're also able to add events and tasks that fill your cup. After all, you got into this profession because you love it and want to fill your year with things you enjoy doing that serve your students and your counseling program!Although it may feel overwhelming to think about planning an entire year, by doing so, you avoid missing anything important, can think about the goals you have, and can schedule events and tasks that bring you joy as a high school counselor. If you want to limit your stress and enjoy your role this school year, join me for the LIVE Power Hour Planning Party, where you'll walk away with a year-long curriculum map!Resources Mentioned:Live Workshop: Power Hour Planning Party https://counselorclique.com/planningpartyArticle: "Use the Power of the Calendar"Leave your review for School Counseling Conversations on Apple PodcastsConnect with Lauren:Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job Interviews https://counselorclique.com/interviewsVisit my TpT store https://counselorclique.com/shopSend me a DM on Instagram @counselorclique https://instagram.com/counselorcliqueFollow me on Facebook https://facebook.com/counselorcliqueSend me an email mailto:lauren@counselorclique.comJoin the Clique Collaborative http://cliquecollab.comFull show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode142

Whether you’re still on summer break or have already kicked off a new school year, there’s one thing I think you need during this season: a curriculum map! While it’s very common for teachers to use this planning tool, I believe there are so many benefits for high school counselors to use it as well. In today’s episode, I’m sharing why you should create a curriculum map and how it sets you up for a successful school year.One of the things I love about a curriculum map is that it helps you visually see the gaps in your program and ways you can meet those gaps to help better serve your counseling program and students. Even though the beginning of the school year is hectic, making this curriculum map at the start of the year allows you to have a vision and direction of where you’re headed. It also creates accountability for yourself and breaks down where you’re spending your time.I know you have dreams and goals for your high school counseling program this school year. One of the best ways to achieve those dreams and goals is by creating a high school counseling curriculum map. This visual planning tool will be the ultimate game changer for you to have a successful school year. No matter where you are in the school year right now, make some time to create your own high school counseling curriculum map!Resources Mentioned:Free Resource: How to Kick-Start Your Year as a High School Counselor https://counselorclique.com/privatepodLive Workshop: Power Hour Planning Party (Using a High School Counseling Curriculum Map to Plan Your School Year) https://counselorclique.com/planningpartyLeave your review for School Counseling Conversations on Apple PodcastsConnect with Lauren:Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job Interviews https://counselorclique.com/interviewsVisit my TpT store https://counselorclique.com/shopSend me a DM on Instagram @counselorclique https://instagram.com/counselorcliqueFollow me on Facebook https://facebook.com/counselorcliqueSend me an email mailto:lauren@counselorclique.comJoin the Clique Collaborative http://cliquecollab.comFull show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode141

You’ve waited four episodes to listen to the last episode in our grade-level counselor series. A student’s senior year is full of ups and downs, celebratory moments, and disappointments, and a senior counselor gets to experience it all with them. My guest on today’s episode, Brittany Slagle, experienced all of this and is sharing both what she loves and where she struggles in working with seniors. I’ve talked on the podcast before about the stress and responsibilities of being a senior counselor. Brittany discusses how she managed the bigger administrative tasks of graduation, scholarship deadlines, and test scores, along with the smaller tasks of her role. She admitted that working with seniors can feel intimidating, but building relationships always outweighs the stressors. When I was a high school counselor, I loved working with seniors, and Brittany feels the exact same way. With this being her first year solely working with seniors, she has learned a lot and has kept notes on what she wants to do differently when she works with them again in three years. I loved her realistic perspective on the stressful, fun, and celebratory moments while working with seniors, and I know you will, too!Resources Mentioned:Resource: Free Scholarship Spreadsheet https://counselorclique.com/scholarshipResource: Credit Check SpreadsheetResource: Senior Bundle Leave your review for School Counseling Conversations on Apple PodcastsConnect with Brittany:Email: mailto:slagleb@btcs.orgInstagram: https://instagram.com/thewhitewoodfarmhouse Connect with Lauren:Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job Interviews https://counselorclique.com/interviewsVisit my TpT store https://counselorclique.com/shopSend me a DM on Instagram @counselorclique https://instagram.com/counselorcliqueFollow me on Facebook https://facebook.com/counselorcliqueSend me an email mailto:lauren@counselorclique.comJoin the Clique Collaborative http://cliquecollab.comFull show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode140

Being a school counselor allows you to form close relationships with your students and help guide them through their high school years. It’s honestly one of the best and most rewarding parts of the job, and no one believes that more than my guest, Leigh Pottle. Leigh is a high school counselor who works with all grade levels, but she is giving her perspective and insight on working with juniors specifically. Leigh acknowledges that when you work with students as upperclassmen, their needs are different, and their plans start to take action. This requires her to emphasize and constantly reiterate to her students that their academics, attendance, behavior, and discipline matter. During their junior year, everything starts to become more real, which is one reason Leigh works so hard at building relationships and is constantly improving her counseling program. Throughout our conversation, Leigh often refers to her juniors as mini-adults. She shares how to balance guiding and supporting them in their future goals while also keeping them accountable and responsible for their own actions. After listening to our conversation, you will see why Leigh loves working with juniors and see her care and concern for them shine through.Resources Mentioned:Resource: Free Scholarship Spreadsheet https://counselorclique.com/scholarshipResource: Data Guide https://counselorclique.com/dataideasResource: ​​First Generation Small GroupLeave your review for School Counseling Conversations on Apple PodcastsConnect with Leigh:Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/lcp0710 Connect with Lauren:Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job Interviews https://counselorclique.com/interviewsVisit my TpT store https://counselorclique.com/shopSend me a DM on Instagram @counselorclique https://instagram.com/counselorcliqueFollow me on Facebook https://facebook.com/counselorcliqueSend me an email mailto:lauren@counselorclique.comJoin the Clique Collaborative http://cliquecollab.comFull show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode139

We’re continuing our series on talking with different high school counselors who work with specific grade levels, and today is all about sophomores! Sophomores hold a special place in my heart because when I first started as a counselor, I worked primarily with sophomores. So, I was excited to sit down with my guest, Hannah Fain, to see how our experiences aligned and how things might have changed over the years. Hannah has a great perspective on working with sophomores and the importance of having conversations and small groups to work on certain social and problem-solving skills, along with making sure they’re staying on the right track toward graduation. She emphasizes that having these conversations often and early, along with the help of other staff in the building, keeps the students accountable and builds those relationships for success. Resources Mentioned:Resource: YouScience Career AssessmentsResource: Sophomore Planning BundleResource: Healthy Relationships Classroom LessonResource: Career Bundle 2Leave your review for School Counseling Conversations on Apple PodcastsConnect with Hannah:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-fain-131494113 Connect with Lauren:Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job Interviews https://counselorclique.com/interviewsVisit my TpT store https://counselorclique.com/shopSend me a DM on Instagram @counselorclique https://instagram.com/counselorcliqueFollow me on Facebook https://facebook.com/counselorcliqueSend me an email mailto:lauren@counselorclique.comJoin the Clique Collaborative http://cliquecollab.comFull show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode138

When you’re a counselor who works solely with ninth graders, your role and challenges can sometimes look different from those of other counselors working with older high school grades. No one knows this better than my guest, Felicia Carter. Working primarily with ninth graders her entire counseling career, she has gained so much knowledge through her experience and is sharing her wisdom with you all. In this episode, Felicia shares how she seamlessly transitions ninth graders into high school, along with what she’s learned and let go of along the way.One of the things I loved most from our conversation was Felicia’s optimistic perspective and encouraging words for working with ninth graders. She worked hard at fostering a sense of belonging and school spirit before ninth graders even started their first day of school. I gained a new outlook for ninth graders, and I know after listening to this episode, you will, too!Resources Mentioned:Private Podcast: Kick-Start Your Year as a High School Counselor https://counselorclique.com/privatepodResource: Freshman Year Planning BundleResource: Ninth Grade Transition to High School PresentationResource: Freshman Year Planning GuideResource: Soft Skills BundleResource: Back-to-School BundleLeave your review for School Counseling Conversations on Apple PodcastsConnect with Felicia:Instagram: http://instagram.com/schoolcounselingsmart Connect with Lauren:Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job Interviews https://counselorclique.com/interviewsVisit my TpT store https://counselorclique.com/shopSend me a DM on Instagram @counselorclique https://instagram.com/counselorcliqueFollow me on Facebook https://facebook.com/counselorcliqueSend me an email mailto:lauren@counselorclique.comJoin the Clique Collaborative

Before the new school year officially begins, I’m starting a new series where I’m talking with counselors from different grade levels to gather insight into their roles and the specific struggles or challenges they face with the grade level they serve. Today, I’m kicking off the series with middle school counselor Lauren Tenholder. Lauren shares what high school counselors need to know about incoming ninth-grade students and their transition to high school. When incoming ninth graders enter high school, high school counselors often feel like they have to start from scratch by gathering information on their students. However, Lauren emphasizes using their feeder middle school counselors as a resource. She believes communication and collaboration amongst middle school and high school counselors will make a student’s transition to high school smoother and make the ability to take action on serving their social and academic needs easier. Throughout our conversation, Lauren provides a lot of insight into the common struggles eighth graders have about entering high school, the pressure parents can put on their kids when it comes to academics, and the growing number of expectations these students are facing. I loved the perspective Lauren conveyed about a student’s transition to high school and what kind of information they’re equipped with and still need to know. So, if you’re a high school counselor who works directly with ninth-grade students, this episode is for you!Resources Mentioned:Resource: Transition to High School Ninth Grade PresentationResource: Freshman Year Planning Guide​​Resource: Freshman Year Planning BundleLeave your review for School Counseling Conversations on Apple PodcastsConnect with Lauren Tenholder:Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090560221288&mibextid=ZbWKwL Instagram: https://instagram.com/onecraftycounselor   Etsy: https://etsy.com/shop/onecraftycounselor Connect with Lauren:Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job Interviews: https://counselorclique.com/interviewsVisit my TpT store: https://counselorclique.com/shopSend me a DM on Instagram @counselorclique: https://instagram.com/counselorcliqueFollow me on Facebook:

When you’re a new high school counselor, you think you need to have a Pinterest-perfect office in order to be effective. However, your worth as a high school counselor isn’t dependent on how much stuff you have in your office or how much financial support you get from your principal, districts, or PTSA. But having a few essentials and office must-haves that you can’t live without will certainly make your life easier! This episode highlights a few back-to-school tips and some high school counselor office non-negotiables and “would be nice” things to get your space and program ready for students. While these things worked for me when I was working as a school counselor, everyone’s must-have office items will be different and need to work for you. Rest assured, all the things in this episode will just enhance the wonderful things you’re already doing as a high school counselor since it’s your skills, knowledge, and experience that make you an effective high school counselor!Resources Mentioned:Private Podcast: How to Kick-Start Your Year as a High School Counselor https://counselorclique.com/privatepodResource: School Counselor Beginning of the Year Presentation https://counselorclique.com/beginningResource: Back-to-School High School Counseling BundleBlog: 4 Helpful Categories of Back-to-School Essentials for High School Counselors https://counselorclique.com/back-to-school-essentialsBlog: 3 Ways to Complete Your School Counselor Office Like a Rockstar https://counselorclique.com/school-counselor-officeAmazon Store Front: https://amazon.com/shop/counselorcliqueBack-to-School Blogs and Podcasts: https://counselorclique.com/category/back-to-schoolLeave your review for School Counseling Conversations on Apple PodcastsConnect with Lauren:Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job Interviews https://counselorclique.com/interviewsVisit my TpT store https://counselorclique.com/shopSend me a DM on Instagram @counselorclique https://instagram.com/counselorcliqueFollow me on Facebook https://facebook.com/counselorcliqueSend me an email mailto:lauren@counselorclique.comJoin the Clique Collaborative https://cliquecollab.comFull show notes on website: a...

One of the best ways I grew as a professional and leader was when I was a supervisor to high school counseling interns. Being responsible for teaching, guiding, and preparing future high school counselors was something I knew was important for the future of the field. In today's episode, I'm sharing four key things you should do as a supervisor for your counseling interns.My goal as a supervisor was to get my counseling interns to be able to do this job without me. This is why each of the four things I focus on helps to accomplish that goal. The ideas I'm talking about include teaching interns flexibility, encouraging them to take ownership of their own resources, giving opportunities to fail and learn from mistakes, pushing them out of their comfort zone, and providing honest feedback. I also share examples of how these ideas benefit you as the supervisor.When you sign on to be a supervisor who is invested in raising up the next generation of high school counselors, I hope that you'll find that the experience benefits you as well. This episode will provide you with practical and direct ways to guide and navigate you through this supervisor/intern relationship.Resources Mentioned:Resource: High School Counselor Kickstart Audio Course https://counselorclique.com/newcounselorResource: New High School Counselor Playlist https://counselorclique.com/newcounselorplaylistResource: High School Counseling Planning MEGA BundleLeave your review for School Counseling Conversations on Apple PodcastsConnect with Lauren:Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job Interviews https://counselorclique.com/interviewsVisit my TpT store https://counselorclique.com/shopSend me a DM on Instagram @counselorclique https://instagram.com/counselorcliqueFollow me on Facebook https://facebook.com/counselorcliqueSend me an email mailto:lauren@counselorclique.comJoin the Clique Collaborative http://cliquecollab.comFull show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode134

I’m always looking to find new resources and information that will be helpful tools for high school students. Whether that be career opportunities, college options, or test-taking strategies, I want to get the right resources in YOUR hands to give to your students. So when I came across Dan Heath’s podcast, "What It’s Like to Be," I knew this modern platform would be the perfect resource to provide high school students and their parents.In each of Dan’s episodes, he interviews someone in a unique career to tell a story about their profession. Each guest loves what they’re doing, which comes across in the interviews. In this fun career exploration podcast, high school students can listen and learn about new careers that they may not have been exposed to otherwise. I hope Dan's podcast will be just one more resource for career research and career exploration for your high school students. Use it to ignite their curiosity about what jobs are out there. Take this podcast and let students dive into career exploration to find what they want to do in the future!Resources Mentioned:Resource: Counselor Clique’s Amazon Storefront https://amazon.com/shop/counselorcliquePodcast: Back to School Tips for High School Counselors: Office Prep https://counselorclique.com/episode32Leave your review for School Counseling Conversations on Apple PodcastsConnect with Dan:Podcast: What It's Like to BeLinkedInConnect with Lauren:Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job Interviews https://counselorclique.com/interviewsVisit my TpT store https://counselorclique.com/shopSend me a DM on Instagram @counselorclique https://instagram.com/counselorcliqueFollow me on Facebook https://facebook.com/counselorcliqueSend me an email lauren@counselorclique.comJoin the Clique Collaborative http://cliquecollab.comFull show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode133

As a new school counselor, we’re excited and eager to focus on students, enhance the counseling program at our school, and advocate for our role to others in the building. But being the new counselor might mean you’re working closely with veteran school counselors, formerly known as guidance counselors, who might not have the same mindset or perspective as you. So what do you do if you’re in this situation? In this episode, I’m sharing what to do when working with an old-school guidance counselor as a new school counselor.Now, I’m not saying that every veteran school counselor has an “old-school” mentality because I was eager to step into a school counseling position where my co-workers had years and years of experience and knowledge that I could soak in. However, I’ve also known the struggle of trying to implement new strategies and techniques into a counseling program with major pushback from my peers. When establishing your role as a new school counselor with a veteran school counselor, it’s important to be aware of the three big ideas that could hinder your role. I help define and find solutions to those ideas, explain the characteristics of a guidance counselor, and share the magical answer of what you need to do as a new school counselor when working with an old-school guidance counselor in this episode!Resources Mentioned:Resource: High School Credit Check SpreadsheetResource: Gallup StrengthsFinder 2.0Resource: How to Kickstart Your Year Private Podcast Series https://counselorclique.com/privatepod (this is how you can get on my email list if you haven't already!)Leave your review for School Counseling Conversations on Apple PodcastsConnect with Lauren:Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job Interviews https://counselorclique.com/interviewsVisit my TpT store https://counselorclique.com/shopSend me a DM on Instagram @counselorclique https://instagram.com/counselorcliqueFollow me on Facebook https://facebook.com/counselorcliqueSend me an email mailto:lauren@counselorclique.comJoin the Clique Collaborative http://cliquecollab.comFull show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode132