Explore every episode of the podcast High School Counseling Conversations®
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How a High School Counseling Curriculum Map Will Set You Up to Win This Year | 26 Aug 2024 | 00:16:59 | |
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:
Connect with Lauren:
Full show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode141 | |||
| Highs and Lows of Working with Seniors with Brittany Slagle | 19 Aug 2024 | 00:37:17 | |
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:
Connect with Brittany:
Connect with Lauren:
Full show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode140 | |||
| How to Know When It’s Time to Move On | 17 Jun 2024 | 00:35:27 | |
The end-of-year stress and exhaustion can bring up a lot of emotions for school counselors. And when it’s finally summer break, you have the time to stop and reflect on what you want professionally going forward. When a school year wraps, I know many school counselors ask themselves, is it time for me to move on from this? It can be hard to sift through all you’re feeling and decide what your next step is. So, in this episode, I’m helping you examine when it’s time to move on from high school counseling when managing the weight of burnout. There are many reasons why a school counselor would want to move on from their current position. Before going through them, I share some practical items you need to think through that will help you better understand what your next move is. Then, I discuss multiple scenarios you could find yourself in when thinking it’s time to move on. The breakdown of these scenarios will show you what you’re lacking in your current position or what you’re looking for in the future. However, leaving your current position might not be what you need. Instead, you might find that you want to stay in your role, but certain things need to change. I discuss those items as well to help prepare you for those changes when you return to school in the fall. So, whether you know it’s time to move on or are staying with a few changes, I hope this episode provides you with support, guidance, and an understanding of what’s going to make you happy in your role as a high school counselor! Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Lauren:
Full show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode131 | |||
| Research in School Counseling - 4 Categories and What to Do With Them with Sara of The Responsive Counselor | 14 Nov 2022 | 00:40:54 | |
When you hear the word 'research', do you get excited or want to run the other way as fast as you can? I think many school counselors are the latter, and if you're one of them, you're going to learn so much in this episode all about research in school counseling! We all want to create the most effective and comprehensive school counseling program possible, but it can be challenging to incorporate the most up-to-date research based practices and interventions. Time is not on our side, so where do we go to learn about this research? How do we know if a certain intervention is the best fit for our specific school and group of students? Our guest today, Sara of The Responsive Counselor, is here to answer all of these questions and more. She is breaking down the differences between best practices, research-based interventions, evidence-based interventions, and evidence-based practice. You'll walk away with a clearer understanding of these terms, and how you can incorporate them to make the biggest impact possible. Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Lauren:
Full show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode48 | |||
| 3 Ways to Help Your Failing Students Find Success | 07 Nov 2022 | 00:14:15 | |
Let’s talk about a really common challenge that we face as high school counselors. It’s a challenge that often leaves us feeling defeated and put under a whole lot of (sometimes self-inflicted) pressure. Can you guess what it is? I’m talking about working with failing students. We all have these students on our caseloads. They are the students who are behind in their classes, short on the credits they need to graduate, and reluctant to trust that we want to help them. And yet, our failing students are also the ones who we get to know the best after earning their trust. We push them because we want to see them succeed, and it’s the best feeling in the world when they do. But let’s be real. This is tough work. Sometimes it feels like you’re fighting an uphill battle and that you’re the only one who cares. If you’re feeling that way about some of your students, let’s change that today! Inside this episode you’ll hear my top three suggestions for helping your failing students find success. After listening, I think you’ll realize that you are doing more than enough, my friend! Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Lauren:
Full show notes on website: www.counselorclique.com/episode47 | |||
| Spooky, Scary School Counseling Stories: A Hilarious, Crowdsourced Episode | 31 Oct 2022 | 00:27:49 | |
I asked you all to submit your SPOOKIEST counseling story: the one that makes you shudder to remember or makes you want to roll over in your grave of embarrassment. Maybe it was a horror story THEN but maybe you’re ready to laugh about it now. It could be a story so legendary that we wouldn’t believe it ourselves… or maybe it’s just something you’re thankful hasn’t happened on more than one occasion… because ONE time was MORE than enough. Some of these stories have come in the form of audio voice notes and some are messages that y’all gave me in my DMs… but one thing is in common. They are all anonymous. No names, no Instagram handles… just stories! I hope you’re as curious and captivated by these as I was… and still am. Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Lauren:
Full show notes on website: www.counselorclique.com/episode46 | |||
| 4 Different Caseload Model Types (Plus My Honest Thoughts on Them) | 24 Oct 2022 | 00:18:54 | |
There are so many pros and cons to consider when laying out different caseload model possibilities for your school counseling program. There isn’t much research out there on this topic, so I thought this episode could be an exploration of a few different types of models out there. (This list is NOT exhaustive by any means!) This episode will help you examine how your caseload is currently laid out and think long-term to avoid burnout and allow for growth (professionally and practically in terms of lowering caseload numbers). Listen in as I talk about 4 different caseload models from least to most favorite! I can’t wait to hear if you have the same or different opinion about these! Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Lauren:
All show notes on website: www.counselorclique.com/episode45 | |||
| Owning Your Time Management by Using Your Calendar | 17 Oct 2022 | 00:13:42 | |
You’re in the right place if you’re looking for some short and sweet time management tips and a pep talk about your time management. These tips will be some of your baseline needs to get your head above water to quit drowning and get to a place where you can function and even get ahead to call the shots during your day! What if you could be more efficient in your workday and then, therefore, be more effective in serving your students, families, and school with your role? Listen to this week’s episode to hear about 3 ways that committing to using your calendar can help you OWN your time management and advocate for your role.
Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Lauren:
Full show notes on the website: www.counselorclique.com/episode43 | |||
| All About Advisory Programs and Social Emotional Learning with Leslie of Informed Decisions | 10 Oct 2022 | 00:49:17 | |
Advisory programs are large-scale school interventions that lead students through social-emotional lessons. With this week's guest, Leslie of Informed Decisions, we hear the dos and don'ts of starting and running an advisory program in your high school. We talk about the importance of administrator, teacher, and student buy-in with strategies on how to combat even the toughest stakeholders. Leslie gives us expert advice on how to involve the whole school to make this a valuable and meaningful resource that you don't want to miss. Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Leslie:
Connect with Lauren:
Full show notes on website: www.counselorclique.com/episode43 | |||
| How to Use Data in Your High School Counseling Program Without Overthinking It | 03 Oct 2022 | 00:13:45 | |
I’m going to use this episode to win you over to the side of at least CONSIDERING using data in your school counseling program. Even if you’re allergic to it. Or you consider yourself to be data averse… this one’s for you. Let’s talk about how to use data in your high school counseling program without overthinking it or making it too complicated. With these 3 simple ideas, you'll be able to start taking baby steps toward data instead of running away from it!
Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Lauren:
Full show notes on website: www.counselorclique.com/episode42 | |||
| Supporting and Empowering First Generation Students | 26 Sep 2022 | 00:12:55 | |
In its most simple terms, first generation students are the first in their families to attend college. According to the Center for First-Generation Student Success, “nearly 33% of students attending college or universities in the United States are first-generation.” High school counselors have an incredibly powerful role to fill to support and empower first generation students on their journeys to post secondary success!
In this episode, I’m talking about 3 ways high school counselors can serve our first generation students while they’re in our building for four years. Listen to this week’s tips and strategies to get some ideas to add to your high school counseling program!
Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Lauren:
Full show notes on website: www.counselorclique.com/episode41 | |||
| How to Advocate for All Post Secondary Plans | 19 Sep 2022 | 00:16:55 | |
As high school counselors, we hope to prepare students for whatever their post-secondary plans are… from work, military, or college. Elementary and middle school counselors are laying the foundation for college and career-ready standards… but, as high school counselors, we’re meeting students where things are getting real.
Listen to Episode 40 to learn about the importance of sharing all of their post-secondary options, advocating for all different types of students, and including everyone in the post-secondary celebrations!
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Additional Blog Posts and Podcasts: | |||
| Running Senior Meetings Like a Boss | 12 Sep 2022 | 00:15:20 | |
Running senior meetings helps to inform your students and parents while also building their confidence about what’s to come! Senior year can be a LOT! Planning, researching, applying, thinking about the next steps (whatever those may be). As high school counselors, we can help minimize overwhelm and provide a safe landing space for students to ask their questions and be OKAY not knowing what’s coming next! In this episode, I talk about WHAT to talk about as you're running senior meetings and some of the practical ideas to think about as you plan to host them. Take some ideas from here to implement with your caseload, and start hosting efficient and effective meetings with your families this year! Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Lauren:
Full show notes: http://www.counselorclique.com/episode39 | |||
| Navigating Imposter Syndrome and Psychological Safety in the Workplace with Caroline Crawford | 10 Jun 2024 | 00:44:02 | |
Everyone wants to feel successful in their job. But sometimes, there are certain aspects in and out of your control that contribute to you feeling hesitant to speak up, questioning your ability, or finding it difficult to create change. This occurs when psychological safety is low in the work culture, which then contributes to doubting yourself. My guest on today’s episode, Caroline Crawford, is sharing ways for navigating imposter syndrome and facilitating a positive work culture and how this relates to high school counseling. Work culture is so important that it can truly affect your feeling of safety. Caroline speaks of feeling connected and safe in order to feel motivated in our jobs and how this can be done through your example as a high school counselor. It’s understood that there will be days in this role that are tough and hard to deal with, but Caroline shares how to engage in self-care and always look towards the why of your job to help you through. Caroline’s message in this episode is one of empowerment and motivation. She believes in facilitating a positive work culture through psychological safety and navigating imposter syndrome in order for you to find success and happiness in your role as a high school counselor, which you will definitely learn from her words and examples in this episode. Resources Mentioned: Connect with Caroline:
Connect with Lauren:
Full show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode130 | |||
| Let's Talk Counselor Fly Ins | 05 Sep 2022 | 00:12:28 | |
Call it what you want- a counselor fly in, a counselor outreach program, a college fly in opportunity... you just have to hear about it! Counselor fly ins are a hidden treasure of the job of a high school counselor! In this episode, I share what a counselor fly in program is, how to get involved with or invited to one, and what happens once you get there. I share my experiences with the couple of high school counselor outreach programs that I've been a part of and what I loved about them. Lastly, I share the benefits that overflow back into your everyday work environment once you get back home from your counselor fly in! Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Lauren:
Full show notes: www.counselorclique.com/episode38 | |||
| A Back to School High School Counselor Pep Talk | 29 Aug 2022 | 00:07:43 | |
This one’s for the veteran counselors needing a pick-me-up as this school year is getting started. Listen to this back-to-school high school counselor pep talk for some relatable realness… but then also some encouragement.
I’m not sure which is harder on a school counselor… the first few weeks or the last few weeks of school. These beginning days are TOUGH. You are a superhuman jack-of-all-trades handling a myriad of issues with style and grace.
You may have forgotten to put on your mascara for your staff ID photo, and you may be hiding your stacks of papers under your desk when parents come in for meetings… but you’ll get it together soon.
No need to right now though. Right now, you’re in survival mode. So give this episode a listen to feel SEEN but also to remember there is a light at the end of the tunnel. You won’t be staring at a computer screen and enrolling new students forever. You’ll be counseling and helping students again in the traditional way that you’re used to SOON enough.
You got this! Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Lauren:
Full Show Notes: www.counselorclique.com/episode37 | |||
| Your High School Counselor Back-to-School Starter Pack | 22 Aug 2022 | 00:12:04 | |
In this episode, I’m giving you your high school counselor back-to-school “starter pack” broken into 3 categories: community support, podcast episodes, and resources. I’m diving into these back-to-school categories to help you figure out what you need (and what you don’t need) as you start this school year. I am here to help meet your high school counselor needs at any level that that may entail whether that’s paid or free resources, resources that you read or listen to, or physical resources that you add to your counselor toolbox for the year. As I’ve grown and developed Counselor Clique®, I’ve really narrowed in on wanting to help you, a high school counselor, energize your programs and remind you of how much you love your job! So listen in on this week’s episode as I provide solutions to these needs! Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Lauren:
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| Perspectives of a Charter High School Counselor with Clique Collaborative Member Chris Z. | 15 Aug 2022 | 00:26:46 | |
Looking for new perspectives from other high school counselors? Look no further than this conversation with Chris, a public charter high school counselor from California!
In this episode, we talk about Chris’ background and specialty in mental health. She emphasizes how it has aided her as she’s transitioned into a role of a school counselor in her current virtual school setting.
We talk about what is working in her school right now and how she hopes to grow those things. Chris shares a student success story and how she’s grown this year as a public charter high school counselor. Lastly, Chris shares her wins from her past eight months in the Clique Collaborative and how this high school membership has made an impact on her practice as a high school counselor.
Chris Z. made her way to school counseling via social work with backgrounds in foster care and mental health settings. She works at a public charter school in Northern California that serves students learning from the home through independent study. (They don’t have a physical school campus!) Outside of work, Chris loves gardening, cooking what she grows, and camping and hiking with her husband and dog. She has two adult daughters working in STEM fields.
You’ll love hearing about Chris’ background and how it has made her the school counselor she is today! Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Lauren:
Full show notes available here: www.counselorclique.com/episode35 | |||
| Private High School Counselor Finds Wellness Passion: An Interview with Tylee R. (A Clique Collaborative Member) | 08 Aug 2022 | 00:33:32 | |
Tylee is a Clique Collaborative member working as a private high school counselor in a Catholic high school. As a self-proclaimed homebody, she finds herself serving students at the high school she graduated from in the suburbs of Chicago.
As Tylee is entering her fourth year as a private high school counselor, she’s also moving into the role of the department chair this upcoming year. She knows this will present new challenges, but she’s ready to continue growing herself and her school counseling program.
Join this week’s conversation as we discuss Tylee’s passion for student wellness, intervention, and prevention. She has harnessed some creative energy and reinvents continuously to serve her students in the best way possible… including a recent “rebranding” of the Student Wellness Center with new systems and services to serve her post-pandemic high school students.
Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Lauren:
Full show notes: http://www.counselorclique.com/episode34 | |||
| Math Teacher Turned First-Year, Public High School Counselor with Clique Collaborative Member Liz A. | 01 Aug 2022 | 00:25:48 | |
Liz is a public high school counselor in a large, New Jersey school. The population at her school has a high immigrant population and lots of bilingual students. She works on a team of counselors who have been helpful in guiding her through her first year as a high school counselor. Though she’s not new to education, she started her counselor job mid-way through the year which presented her with the challenges of imposter syndrome.
In this week’s episode, Liz shares the highs and lows of the first seven months of her job including what kept her moving forward on the hard days.
This is the first in a series of podcast episodes with some voices from the field who are also all members of the Clique Collaborative, my high school counseling membership! Doors to the membership open twice a year, and we’re gearing up to welcome new members for this school year starting on August 15! Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Lauren:
Full show notes: http://www.counselorclique.com/episode33 | |||
| Back-to-School Tips for High School Counselors: Office Prep | 25 Jul 2022 | 00:14:34 | |
This episode highlights a few back-to-school tips for high school counselors looking to ready their spaces and program.
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, district, or PTSA. But it sure doesn’t hurt to dream about what would make your counselor life easier, does it?
Let’s talk about the non-negotiables and the “would be nice” things to have in your office. Rest assured anything in this episode is NOT NECESSARY… just adds to all of the wonderful things you’re already doing as a high school counselor! Enter the Giveaway!
Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Lauren:
For a full list of show notes, visit: www.counselorclique.com/episode32 | |||
| 4 Things I've Learned About Getting Money for Professional Development Opportunities | 18 Jul 2022 | 00:14:09 | |
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 opportunities you need! Enter the Giveaway!
Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Lauren:
Access full show notes: www.counselorclique.com/episode31
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| Where to Look for Relevant High School Counseling Professional Development | 11 Jul 2022 | 00:15:20 | |
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!
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Connect with Lauren:
Access full show notes for this episode: www.counselorclique.com/episode30
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| How to Invest in Yourself as a High School Counselor So That You Make a Lasting Impact on Students | 04 Jul 2022 | 00:13:51 | |
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.
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Connect with Lauren:
Access full show notes here: www.counselorclique.com/episode29 | |||
| 3 Educators Who Changed the Way I Approached My High School Counseling Job | 03 Jun 2024 | 00:19:48 | |
If you’ve been in the education field long enough, you know that the people you work with, encounter along your journey, and meet on the different paths in your career all shape who you are and your approach to your role. Well, I’m no exception to that philosophy. As a high school counselor, I met many fellow counselors who had an impact on my role as a school counselor and the qualities I tried to embody on a daily basis. In this episode, I reflect on the three educators who inspired me and changed how I approached my high school counseling job. Although I’ve worked with many high school counselors, three have stood out after many years on the job and beyond. With each person that I name, I also share how and why they impacted my approach to school counseling. Each had different strengths and was successful in their own ways, whether through relationship building, always willing to learn something new, the qualities of a good leader, and so much more. These, along with many others, are reasons why they had an impact on me. Additionally, all three of these women were successful school counselors in different seasons of their lives, which I found encouraging. By sharing the educators who inspired me in my approach to high school counseling jobs, I hope you feel encouraged to take the time to reflect and think through the educators in your life who were mentors and impacted your role as a school counselor. Resources Mentioned: Connect with Lauren:
Full show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode129 | |||
| Why You Shouldn't Discount a High School Counselor Community | 27 Jun 2022 | 00:09:09 | |
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?
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Connect with Lauren:
Full show notes on website: www.counselorclique.com/episode28 | |||
| Ideas for Changing Your High School Counselor Mindset (Especially When You Feel Tired and Stuck) | 20 Jun 2022 | 00:13:36 | |
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.
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Connect with Lauren:
All show notes on website: www.counselorclique.com/episode27 | |||
| Words of Wisdom to High School Counseling Interns from the Field | 13 Jun 2022 | 00:23:50 | |
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.
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Connect with Lauren:
Full show notes available here: www.counselorclique.com/episode26 | |||
| My 4 Best Pieces of Advice for High School Counseling Interns | 06 Jun 2022 | 00:19:22 | |
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 with YOUR best tips for high school counseling interns! I want to feature your advice on an upcoming episode of the podcast!
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Connect with Lauren:
See all show notes here: www.counselorclique.com/episode25 | |||
| 5 Tips for ASCA Conference Goers | 30 May 2022 | 00:16:10 | |
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 next year!
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Connect with Lauren:
SHOW NOTES: www.counselorclique.com/episode24 | |||
| 3 Personal Boundaries to Set a More Intentional Work/Life Balance | 23 May 2022 | 00:12:18 | |
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 need to set in place as you move into the next school year.
The goal is to reenergize and remember WHY you love this job in the first place! In a helping profession, we need to be extra self-aware of our needs so that we don’t burn out. Episode 23 gives 3 personal boundaries to consider in order to set that work/life balance that you’ve been craving.
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Connect with Lauren:
For full show notes: www.counselorclique.com/episode23 | |||
| A Pep Talk for New High School Counselors | 16 May 2022 | 00:09:34 | |
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!
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Connect with Lauren:
Read the full show notes here | |||
| How to Close Out the Year as a High School Counselor | 09 May 2022 | 00:12:48 | |
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.
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Connect with Lauren:
For all show notes, visit: www.counselorclique.com/episode21 | |||
| Sample Interview Questions: A Mock School Counselor Interview with Rachel from Bright Futures Counseling | 02 May 2022 | 01:03:30 | |
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 switch levels of school counseling or you're entering the job force as a school counselor for the first time, you'll definitely find these sample interview questions and answers helpful! Resources Mentioned:
Rachel is the school counselor and curriculum designer behind Bright Futures Counseling. With nearly a decade of experience, a highly rated school counseling podcast, and an engaged online community, Rachel is passionate about helping school counselors increase their impact and advocate for their role. She resides in Costa Rica, and when she's not working on her business you can find her at the beach playing with her toddler son! Connect with Lauren:
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| Using an Advisory Council to Tell Your Story with Lauren and Vira | 25 Apr 2022 | 00:39:00 | |
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 department or school. Using an advisory council has brought valuable feedback, new program ideas, and more opportunities for advocacy than they ever imagined. If you’re looking for an easy way to bring momentum, excitement, and pride back into your career and program… don’t miss out on this episode (or using advisory councils)! Send me a DM if you’re inspired and empowered to dream big about advisory councils for next year!
More about the Guests: Lauren LePera is a ninth grade counselor at Ashley Ridge High School. Lauren has also worked as a middle school counselor (last year) for sixth grade. Lauren started her career in education as an elementary teacher who found joy in supporting students through life's challenges as well as mental health. Lauren is currently located in Charleston, SC. She loves her cats, being outside, and watching Schitt's Creek with her husband. Reach out to Lauren via email here.
Vira James is the Director of Counseling at Ashley Ridge High School. Vira has been a school counselor for 15 years and 4 years as a director. Vira started her career as a Career Specialist and currently lives in Charleston, SC. Vira loves Mexican food as well as hanging with her husband and kids. Reach out to Vira via email here.
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Full Show Notes on Website: www.counselorclique.com/episode19 | |||
| 4 Things to Quit Worrying About as a Brand New School Counselor | 27 May 2024 | 00:16:12 | |
I know when I first started out as a school counselor, I was incredibly nervous and constantly worried about both the small and big things that would happen in this role. And while this feeling was completely normal when first starting out, I quickly realized that worrying didn’t do me any good and that I needed to focus on my job and what I knew I could do. So, if this sounds like you, in today’s episode, I’m sharing four things to quit worrying about if you’re a brand new school counselor. Since I’ve been in your shoes before, I decided to select the four biggest things that would’ve made an impact on being a brand new counselor. When I describe and discuss the things to quit worrying about, I also provide insight into why this shouldn’t be something that worries you in your new role. Additionally, I share insight and encouragement to trust in your experience, knowledge, and skills to not only overcome these worries but excel in this new role. During this episode, you will get a mixture of pep talk, tough love, encouragement, and finally, some next steps on how I can personally help you ease your continuous list of worries. Starting a brand new job, especially as a school counselor, can make you nervous and overwhelmed. But after listening to this episode, you’ll learn four things to quit worrying about that will make your first year as a school counselor a success! Resources Mentioned:
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Full show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode128 | |||
| Part 2: 10 Key Stakeholders to Invite to Your School Counseling Advisory Council Meetings | 18 Apr 2022 | 00:16:03 | |
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!
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| Part 1: 10 Key Stakeholders to Invite to Your School Counseling Advisory Council Meetings | 11 Apr 2022 | 00:14:02 | |
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 on Instagram, and let me know what new ideas you took away!
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Full Show Notes: Episode 17 | |||
| 3 Ideas to Consider Before Starting a School Counseling Advisory Council | 04 Apr 2022 | 00:12:21 | |
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.
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| Why Building Relationships is the Hidden Key to Unlocking Classroom Lessons- an Interview with Rebecca Joyner of It’s Not Rocket Science® | 28 Mar 2022 | 00:48:28 | |
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 to step into our most authentic selves in order to serve students well. With competence and care, high school counselors can rest assured that fine details of the classroom lessons will all come together for a memorable and meaningful experience if we focus on building relationships.
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| 3 Ways to Build Your Confidence with High School Counseling Classroom Lessons | 21 Mar 2022 | 00:12:00 | |
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!
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| How to Bring Social-Emotional Learning into High School Core Curriculum | 14 Mar 2022 | 00:08:50 | |
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.
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| Why Knowing Student Names Can Make a Relational Impact On Your Counseling Classroom Lessons | 07 Mar 2022 | 00:13:29 | |
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!
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| Part 2: 6 Tips for Facilitating High School Counseling Small Groups | 28 Feb 2022 | 00:17:54 | |
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.
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| Part 1: 6 Tips for Facilitating High School Counseling Small Groups | 21 Feb 2022 | 00:12:50 | |
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! Resources Mentioned:
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| 3 Ideas for Starting High School Counseling Small Groups from Scratch | 14 Feb 2022 | 00:12:25 | |
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.
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| High School Transition: Creative Ways to Help Your Students Make the Leap from Eighth Grade to Ninth Grade | 20 May 2024 | 00:16:53 | |
Think back to the time you transitioned from middle school to high school. You went from being the oldest in the school to now being the youngest in a new building with a bunch of new opportunities in front of you. Many incoming ninth graders are apprehensive about being in a new school and unsure about the classes they need to take and what to get involved in. So, in today’s episode, I’m sharing how to seamlessly transition students from eighth to ninth grade. When you get a new caseload of incoming ninth-grade students, there are simple and easy ways to help make their transition smooth and make them feel welcome. These practical ideas include tours of the high school, creating a panel of students to answer any student-led questions, being available to meet them in person, and creative ways to introduce yourself and answer their questions. Nowadays, there are so many different platforms to send information out, so I encourage you to take advantage of those to better reach more students. Making the transition to high school can be intimidating and overwhelming for incoming ninth-grade students, so making it easier as the school counselor is a simple way to make them feel comfortable and welcome. So, if you’re looking for practical ideas to implement to make the transition from eighth to ninth grade smooth, this episode is for you! Resources Mentioned:
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Full show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode127 | |||
| Finding Success in High School Counseling Small Groups Before You Even Start | 07 Feb 2022 | 00:18:39 | |
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:
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| Resetting Your School Counseling Team in the New Year | 31 Jan 2022 | 00:05:53 | |
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.
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Read the Show Notes: www.counselorclique.com/episode7 | |||
| Guest Interview with Emily, a Member of the Clique Collaborative | 24 Jan 2022 | 00:29:56 | |
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!
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