<img class="wp-image-4658 aligncenter" style="font-size: 10.5pt" src="https://videos.schoolcounselor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/ep52_social_media_1080x0180.jpg" alt="" width="277" height="277" /> In this episode of the I Hear You Say podcast, host Jill Cook, executive director of the American School Counselor Association, and co-host Janae Douglas, ASCA’s education and training coordinator, talk with Danna Mirviss from PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center about the evolution of bullying prevention efforts. Danna shares how initiatives like National Bullying Prevention Month and Unity Day inspire awareness, kindness, and inclusion in schools. The discussion highlights the vital role of school counselors, educators, families, and peers in creating safe learning environments—and why bullying prevention should be a year-round commitment, not just a month-long campaign. <a href="https://schoolcounselor.org/Standards-Positions/Position-Statements/ASCA-Position-Statements/The-School-Counselor-and-the-Promotion-of-Safe-Sch">The School Counselor and Bullying/Harassment Prevention and the Promotion of Safe Schools</a> <a href="https://www.pacer.org/bullying/">PACER Center-Bullying prevention resources for K-12 youth, families, and educators</a> <a href="https://www.pacer.org/bullying/educators/">PACER National Bullying Prevention Center resources for educators</a>
<img class="wp-image-4615 aligncenter" src="https://videos.schoolcounselor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/ep51_social_media_1080x0180.jpg" alt="" width="382" height="382" /> In this episode of the I Hear You Say podcast, host Jill Cook, executive director of the American School Counselor Association, and co-host Janae Douglas, ASCA’s education and training coordinator, sit down with Sarah Ritchie and Carol Clemens to explore how school counselors can strengthen relationships with families. The conversation highlights the power of personal connections and positive communication, while also offering practical strategies for time management, proactive outreach, and navigating tough conversations with empathy. Together, they share insights designed to help counselors create supportive, trusting partnerships with families that ultimately enhance student success throughout the school year.
<img class="wp-image-4594 aligncenter" src="https://videos.schoolcounselor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/ep50_social_media_1080x0180.jpg" alt="" width="275" height="275" /> <p style="text-align: center">In this episode of the I Hear You Say podcast, recorded live at the 2025 Navigate and Innovate ASCA Annual Conference in Long Beach, host Jill Cook, Executive Director of the American School Counselor Association sits down with ASCA board Chair Christy Welch and Assistant Chair Dr. Ebonee Magee-Dorsey. Welch reflects on her journey from emerging leader to ASCA board chair, while Dr. Magee-Dorsey shares her advocacy work in Mississippi to ensure every school has access to a counselor and her own path to national leadership. Together, they offer a behind-the-scenes look at the ASCA board’s role in shaping policy, monitoring progress, and connecting with members. The conversation also features practical advice for aspiring leaders and emphasizes the power of collaboration in advancing the association’s mission.</p> <a href="https://schoolcounselor.org/About-ASCA/Board-of-Directors" rel="noopener">ASCA Board</a> <a href="https://schoolcounselor.org/About-ASCA/Board-of-Directors/Board-of-Directors-Candidate-Information" rel="noopener">Board of Directors Candidate Information</a>
<img class="wp-image-4505 aligncenter" src="https://videos.schoolcounselor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/ep49_social_media_1080x0180.jpg" alt="" width="376" height="376" /> <p style="text-align: center">In this special episode of the I Hear You Say podcast, recorded live at the 2025 Navigate and Innovate ASCA Annual Conference in Long Beach, host Janae Douglas captures the voices and experiences of attendees throughout the event. From first-time participants to long-time professionals, guests reflect on mentorship, professional growth, and the importance of building meaningful connections. Conversations highlight the energy of networking, the insights gained from conference sessions, and the sense of community that defines the school counseling profession. The episode also looks ahead to future gatherings and the continued role of ASCA in supporting counselors at every stage of their careers.</p> <p style="text-align: center">To Get Involved with ASCA, to include becoming an ASCA Ambassador at our next annual conference, please visit: <a href="https://www.schoolcounselor.org/Membership/Get-Involved">https://www.schoolcounselor.org/Membership/Get-Involved</a></p>
This I Hear You Say podcast about the fifth edition of the ASCA National Model® was built with AI. Here's how we did it. Step One: Uploaded the ASCA National Model® to Google NotebookLM and asked it to turn it into a two-person podcast, using a conversational tone. The human touch: NotebookLM doesn’t allow you to edit scripts, so we put the podcast into Wondercraft and asked it to generate an editable script. We then edited the script, fixing some mistakes and changing other things to reflect our style. Step Two: Using the edited script, used Wondercraft re-record the podcast. The human touch: The AI voices still struggled to say “ASCA,” so that required some additional manipulation. The script also focused quite a bit of attention on the appropriate and inappropriate duties of a school counselor, which are an important part of the ASCA National Model,® but not the main part, and it could use some additional rewriting/editing.
This I Hear You Say I podcast interview about the September/October 2025 issue of ASCA School Counselor magazine was developed using AI. Here's how we did it: <strong>Step One:</strong> Took all the main feature articles and ran them through ChatGPT, asking it to condense each article into its key points, keeping it in an informal, conversational tone. <strong>The human touch:</strong> Edited/revised some of the descriptions to fix some mistakes and rework some of the language. <strong>Step Two:</strong> Took the revised versions of all the article outlines and asked ChatGPT to combine them all into a script for a podcast interview between a host and the magazine editor to discuss the September/October issue of ASCA School Counselor magazine, which focuses on AI. Asked for an approxi-mately 20-minute podcast in conver-sational but professional tone. <strong>The human touch:</strong> Edited the script to fix some mistakes and highlight some different things rather than what ChatGPT thought was the most important part of each article. <strong>Step Three:</strong> Took the revised script and loaded it into Wondercraft.ai and asked it to record the podcast. <strong>The human touch:</strong> Decided it would be better if the podcast mimicked our own voices, so Angie Hickman and Kathleen Rakestraw both recorded samples of their voices, which AI then used to record the whole script. (Note: this required upgrading to the Pro ver-sion for $65/month.) In some cases, the AI voices spoke too fast, so we used a tool in the program to re-record those sections at a slower pace. Also changed the script to have a phonetic spelling of “ASCA” since it kept saying A-S-C-A instead of pronouncing it as one word.
<img class="wp-image-4230 aligncenter" src="https://videos.schoolcounselor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ramp_ep5.jpg" alt="" width="275" height="275" /> In this episode of ASCA’s special mini-series, Deirdra Williams, ASCA's Director of Programs and Advocacy, explores the impact and evolution of the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP), which celebrates its 21st year of honoring schools with exemplary, data-informed counseling programs. She’s joined by four RAMP recipients—Leann Munoz (Perry Harrison Elementary, Pittsboro, NC), Laura Robbins (South Newton High School, Kentland, IN), Dr. Keisha Burns (Shadow Hills Engineering and Design Magnet Academy, Palmdale, CA), and Gina Montague (Powell Magnet Elementary School, Raleigh, NC)—who share how they’ve managed large caseloads, advocated for their roles, and built strong support systems. The conversation offers practical tips on time management, effective data collection, and the powerful impact a well-structured school counseling program can have on student success—especially for counselors navigating the process solo.
<img class="wp-image-4163 aligncenter" src="https://videos.schoolcounselor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ramp_ep4.jpg" alt="" width="275" height="275" /> In this episode of ASCA’s special mini-series, Deirdra Williams, ASCA's Director of Programs and Advocacy, explores the impact and evolution of the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP), which celebrates its 21st year of honoring schools with exemplary, data-informed counseling programs. She’s joined by two RAMP recipients—Jeff Hargis from Legacy High School (Legacy High School, Broomfield, CO) and Jeff Pastiak (Oak Lawn Community High School, Oaklawn, IL)—who share what it’s like to pursue RAMP as part of a large counseling team. They discuss how collaboration, strategic task-sharing, and adaptability drive their success, offering practical insights for other teams looking to strengthen their programs and achieve RAMP recognition.
<img class="wp-image-4156 aligncenter" src="https://videos.schoolcounselor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ramp_ep3.jpg" alt="" width="275" height="275" /> In this episode of ASCA’s special podcast mini-series, Adapting the Model: RAMP Success Stories from Non-Traditional Schools Deirdra Williams, Director of Programs and Advocacy, explores how non-traditional schools are successfully implementing the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP). She’s joined by RAMP recipients Priscilla Grijalva (San Jacinto Leadership Academy, CA), Dr. Kristina Hall (POLYTECH High School, DE), and Laura Krapf (Sarah Pyle Academy, DE), who share their experiences navigating challenges, leveraging data, and engaging their communities. The discussion highlights the power of adaptive strategies, the value of advisory councils, and the transformative impact of achieving RAMP status on their school environments.
<img class="wp-image-4144 aligncenter" src="https://videos.schoolcounselor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ramp_ep2.jpg" alt="" width="304" height="304" /> In this episode of ASCA’s special podcast mini-series, Deirdra Williams, ASCA's Director of Programs and Advocacy discusses the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP), an initiative by the American School Counselor Association, now in its 21st year. RAMP honors schools that deliver comprehensive, data-driven school counseling programs aligned with the ASCA National Model. Joining the conversation are RAMP recipients Jennifer Alberth (Stone Hill Middle School, Ashburn, VA), Katie Doss (Vista Grande Elementary, Rio Rancho, NM), Rachel Hagelin (Belton High School, Belton, Missouri), and Mirna DeLeon (Upland Unified School District, CA). They share candid reflections on their RAMP journeys—highlighting the challenges, emotional breakthroughs, and lasting impact on their schools and students. From leveraging data to building strong teams, each story underscores the transformative power of intentional school counseling. Whether you're considering the RAMP process or simply want to hear inspiring voices from the field, this episode offers encouragement, insight, and practical advice.
<img class="wp-image-4147 aligncenter" src="https://videos.schoolcounselor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ramp_ep1_2.jpg" alt="" width="275" height="275" /> In the inaugural episode of this ASCA podcast mini-series, Deirdra Williams, ASCA's Director of Programs and Advocacy discusses the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP), an initiative by the American School Counselor Association, now in its 21st year. RAMP honors schools that deliver comprehensive, data-driven school counseling programs aligned with the ASCA National Model. Joining the conversation are RAMP recipients Summer Davis (Grand Bay Middle School, AL), Nicole Moody (Sycamore Elementary, GA), and Mirna DeLeon (Upland Unified School District, CA). They share their firsthand experiences with the RAMP application process, offer practical strategies, and reflect on the power of collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and strong organization. Plus, they offer valuable advice for schools aspiring to earn the RAMP distinction—and insight into how the process transformed their counseling programs.
<img class="wp-image-4125 aligncenter" src="https://videos.schoolcounselor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ep48_social_media_1080x0180.jpg" alt="" width="310" height="310" /> In this episode of the I Hear You Say podcast, host Jill Cook, executive director of the American School Counselor Association, and co-host Janae Douglas, ASCA’s education and training coordinator, sit down with the four exceptional finalists for the 2025 School Counselor of the Year award. Listeners will hear from Lisa Delgadillo, school counselor at Hibbard Elementary School in Chicago; Stephanie Leibowitz Nelson, Ph.D., school counselor at Garner Magnet High School in Garner, N.C.; Hanna Kemble-Mick, USD 437 dean of elementary school counseling at Indian Hills Elementary in Topeka, Kan.; and Rosie Rodriguez, school counselor at Chester E. Jordan Elementary School in El Paso, Texas. Together, they reflect on National School Counseling Week 2025 and share powerful stories of advocacy, innovation, and impact. From building stronger student relationships to pioneering new support strategies, this episode celebrates the vital role school counselors play in helping students succeed.
<img class="wp-image-4062 aligncenter" src="https://videos.schoolcounselor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/ep47_social_media_1600x900.jpg" alt="" width="478" height="269" /> In this episode of the<em> I Hear You Say</em> podcast, host Jill Cook, executive director of the American School Counselor Association, and Brian Levy, ASCA’s director of sales and partnerships, chat with Dr. Reberkah Cole, Dr. Crystal Hatton, and Dr. Taqueena Quintana about the unique challenges and strengths of military-connected students. With personal ties to military life, the guests highlight the impact of frequent moves, shifting routines, and emotional transitions on these students. The conversation explores practical ways school counselors can foster resilience, from building strong family partnerships to implementing school-wide initiatives like Purple Up Day. The episode also underscores the importance of cultural humility, ongoing professional development, and direct communication in creating a supportive school environment.
<p style="text-align: center"><img class="wp-image-4012 aligncenter" src="https://videos.schoolcounselor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ep11_social_media.jpg" alt="" width="304" height="304" />In this episode of the I Hear You Say podcast, host Jill Cook, executive director of the American School Counselor Association, and Angie Hickman, CAE, ASCA’s director of research and marketing, chat with Carmen Larson, Ph.D., the 2025 School Counselor of the Year. Dr. Larson shares her journey as a passionate advocate for school counselors, detailing the legislative impacts following the 2018 Parkland shooting that heightened mental health awareness in Florida schools. She discusses her work in reducing counselor-to-student ratios, eliminating non-counseling duties, and implementing data-driven strategies to improve academic outcomes. She also highlights the power of advocacy, the role of professional standards in overcoming challenges, and her innovative use of animal-assisted interventions—including how her therapy dog, Winston, supports student well-being. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on strengthening the role of school counselors and driving meaningful change in education!</p>
<img class="wp-image-3984 aligncenter" src="https://videos.schoolcounselor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/ep10_social_media_1080x0180.jpg" alt="" width="304" height="304" />In this episode of the I Hear You Say podcast, host Jill Cook, executive director of the American School Counselor Association, and Deirdra Williams, ASCA’s director of programs and advocacy, engage in a powerful discussion with Dr. Brandy Richeson and Dr. Crystal Hatton of Liberty University, along with Dr. Krystal L. Clemons, founder and CEO of Our Village Consulting. Together, they explore the vital role of supporting and advocating for Black students, particularly during Black History Month. The conversation delves into their personal journeys, the significance of authenticity, intentionality, and advocacy in their work, and the broader impact of the 2023 Supreme Court ruling on race in college admissions. They also highlight the enduring value of HBCUs and share strategies for combating misinformation surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion. Throughout the discussion, they emphasize the crucial role of school counselors in advancing equity, connecting students to post-secondary opportunities, and fostering community collaboration to empower the next generation. X: @DrKLClemons IG: @ourvillageconsulting; @drkrystal.l.clemons Threads: @drkrystal.l.clemons BlueSky: @drklclemons.bsky.social
<p style="text-align: center"><img class="wp-image-3909 aligncenter" src="https://videos.schoolcounselor.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ep44_social_media_1080x1080.jpg" alt="" width="301" height="301" />In this episode of the I Hear You Say podcast, host Jill Cook, executive director of the American School Counselor Association, sits down with Dr. Carolyn Stone, professor emeritus at the University of North Florida, to explore the critical role of ethics and law in school counseling. Dr. Stone discusses the importance of building a strong ethical foundation to address complex legal and professional challenges. She highlights key topics such as parental involvement, understanding state statutes, and balancing confidentiality in the educational setting. Additionally, she shares insights on using data to measure ethical behavior and the value of consultation and supervision when navigating ethical dilemmas. Tune in for expert advice on how school counselors can confidently uphold ethical standards while supporting their students.</p>
<p style="text-align: center"><img class="alignnone wp-image-3877" src="https://videos.schoolcounselor.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/ep8_social_media.jpg" alt="" width="275" height="275" /></p> <p style="text-align: center">In this episode of the I Hear You Say podcast, host Jill Cook, executive director of the American School Counselor Association, and Angie Hickman, CAE, ASCA’s director of research and marketing, chat with Dr. Jennifer Curry, a teacher in the school counselor education program at Louisiana State University. In honor of Career Development Month, they dive into the importance of early career exploration and share practical career readiness activities tailored for students at various grade levels. The discussion highlights valuable tools like Career One Stop and the College Scorecard, while also addressing critical topics such as supporting students from low-income backgrounds. Additionally, they explore the emerging role of AI in transforming career readiness programs.</p>
<img class="wp-image-3845 aligncenter" src="https://videos.schoolcounselor.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/ep7_social_media.jpg" alt="" width="220" height="220" /> <p style="text-align: center">In this episode of the I Hear You Say podcast, host Jill Cook, executive director of the American School Counselor Association, and Jennifer Walsh, ASCA's Director of Education and Training, chats with Kriya Lendzion is a 23-year veteran School Counselor with expertise in the areas of addictions and prevention. In recognition of Red Ribbon Week, they discuss strategies for engaging teens, addressing vaping, and involving all staff and students in education and policy development. Kriya shares her personal experience with addiction and its impact on her career and emphasizes the importance of respecting and understanding students' needs, using non-judgmental and empathetic approaches. She also stresses the significance of supporting students with addicted guardians, providing resources and fostering resilience.</p>
<img class="wp-image-3807 aligncenter" src="https://videos.schoolcounselor.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/img-20240925163902.jpeg" alt="" width="343" height="193" /> <p style="text-align: center">In this episode of the I Hear You Say podcast, host Jill Cook, executive director of the American School Counselor Association, chats with Cheri Dowling, executive director of the American Society for Deaf Children. In celebration of National Deaf Awareness month, they discuss the evolution of support for deaf children, the benefits of American Sign Language (ASL), and the importance of understanding Deaf culture. Cheri also highlights resources from the Maryland School for the Deaf, including a new professional development program for educators, and the upcoming ASDC literacy conference in Charleston, South Carolina.</p> <strong>ASDC - <a href="http://www.deafchildren.org">www.deafchildren.org</a></strong> <strong>Literacy Conference - <a href="https://deafchildren.org/literacy2024/">https://deafchildren.org/literacy2024/</a></strong> <strong>ASL Classes/Webinars - <a href="https://deafchildren.org/knowledge-center/asl-resources/online-asl-classes/">https://deafchildren.org/knowledge-center/asl-resources/online-asl-classes/</a></strong>
<img class="wp-image-4239 aligncenter" src="https://videos.schoolcounselor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/ep5_social_media.jpg" alt="" width="276" height="276" /> <p style="text-align: left">In this episode of I Hear You Say, ASCA’s podcast, hosts Jill Cook, executive director of the American School Counselor Association, and Janae Douglas, ASCA's education and training coordinator, chat with Wisconsin school counselors and ASCA certified trainers, Steve Schneider and Sarah Flier. They share practical strategies for preventing burnout and managing workloads effectively. The conversation covers the importance of using data to prioritize tasks, measuring impact through pre- and post-assessments, and collaborating with school staff to support student needs. They also discuss the benefits of professional development, advocating for resources, and building strong relationships with administrators by showcasing the success of their programs.</p>