High School Counseling Conversations® is a podcast dedicated to energizing your school counseling program while reminding you how much you love your job! This podcast will give you the confidence you need to implement actionable ideas into your high school counseling program… all while having a little fun along the way. Each week, host Lauren Tingle of Counselor Clique® will cover relevant topics for busy high school counselors. Just think of it like hanging out with your high school counsel ...
…
continue reading

1
You’ve Collected Data All Year - Here’s What to Do With It Now
14:31
14:31
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
14:31You’ve been collecting data all year—student attendance, classroom lesson frequency, intervention effectiveness, and student stories… but now what? In this episode, I’m walking you through exactly what to do with all that school counseling data so it actually works for you. Because let’s be real, data is only powerful if you know how to use it to s…
…
continue reading

1
Life Skills Your Students Should Master [Part 3: Healthy Communication]
8:45
8:45
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
8:45From awkward group projects to job interviews, communication is the life skill students will use daily, but rarely get taught. In the final episode of my “Life Skills Your Students Should Master” series, we’re diving into healthy communication life skills - the kind that makes a lasting impact on students’ personal and professional lives. If you mi…
…
continue reading

1
Life Skills Your Students Should Master [Part 2: Time Management]
12:57
12:57
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
12:57Time management is one of those essential life skills that often gets overlooked—and yet it can make a huge difference in a student’s success both now and in the future. In this episode, we’re continuing our life skills series (listen to part one HERE!) with a focus on helping high schoolers understand and practice effective time management before …
…
continue reading

1
Life Skills Your Students Should Master [Part 1: Budgeting Basics]
14:39
14:39
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
14:39Imagine if your students graduated not just with academic knowledge, but real-world skills they’ll use every day. Today we’re starting that conversation. I’m kicking off a three-part series that will cover essential life skills that students should master before they leave high school, no matter what their post-secondary plans are. First up: the ba…
…
continue reading

1
5 Low-Budget Ways to Address Mental Health Needs
15:38
15:38
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
15:38When it comes to student mental health, the need is huge, but the budget? Not so much. If you’ve ever looked around your school and thought, “How am I supposed to support these students with so little to work with?”, this episode is for you. I’m sharing five practical, low-cost (or completely free) ways to address mental health needs on your campus…
…
continue reading

1
Empowering Teens: Navigating Substance Use Prevention with Kriya Lendzion
50:19
50:19
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
50:19Substance use in schools isn’t just a “some kids” issue. It’s happening across all kinds of student groups and the trends are changing fast. In this episode, I’m joined by Kriya Lendzion, a therapist, addiction specialist, and powerhouse speaker who is helping us understand what teens are using and what we can actually do about it as school counsel…
…
continue reading

1
6 Ideas for Transitioning Your Seniors to Avoid Summer Melt
16:52
16:52
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
16:52After graduation, students are eager to jump into the next chapter of their lives, but sometimes things fall through the cracks. Summer melt is real, and it can make the transition to the next chapter way harder than it needs to be. In this episode, I’m breaking down what summer melt is, why it happens, and, most importantly, what we can do to help…
…
continue reading

1
Unique Pathways and Global Perspectives Through Study Abroad with Neal Crosson
38:21
38:21
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
38:21What if students could earn college credits, explore the world, and gain invaluable life experience, all before starting their traditional college journey? In this episode, I sit down with Neal Crosson from Verto Education to talk about a unique yet powerful path: first-year study abroad programs. We dive into how these programs work, who they’re b…
…
continue reading

1
Are Non-Counseling Duties Draining You? Here’s How to Take Control
25:09
25:09
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
25:09Are non-counseling duties taking over your job? If you’re spending more time on testing, paperwork, and hall duty than actually working with students, you’re not alone and it doesn’t have to be this way. In this episode, I dive into the reality of these overwhelming responsibilities and why they can lead to burnout and resentment. But don’t worry, …
…
continue reading

1
From Hunting for Prestige to a Values-Driven College Search with Jared Epler and Jen Vallieres
34:12
34:12
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
34:12The college search should be an exciting journey, but for many students, it’s filled with pressure, competition, and anxiety. Too often, students and parents fixate on prestigious schools without considering whether they’re truly the right fit, leading to stress and a loss of self-discovery in the process. Today’s guests, Jen and Jared, school coun…
…
continue reading

1
College Tours Without Leaving Home! Behind the Scenes of ‘The College Tour’ With Host Alex Boylan
27:00
27:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
27:00Choosing the right college is one of the biggest decisions a student will make. But what if there was a way to explore campuses across the country without ever leaving home? In this episode, I sat down with Alex Boylan, the creator and host of The College Tour, to talk about how the show is changing the way students and families approach the colleg…
…
continue reading

1
Gamifying the College Search Process with Sam Bernstein
32:04
32:04
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
32:04Think college searches have to be boring and overwhelming? Think again! In this episode, I sit down with Sam Bernstein, co-founder of the Loper app, to talk about how gamification is shaking up the college search process. We all know that researching colleges can feel like an endless, stressful task for students and for you as counselors trying to …
…
continue reading

1
Time Management Strategies to Lighten Your Mental Load as a School Counselor with Kaci Ranger
44:52
44:52
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
44:52Are you constantly juggling emails, student crises, and endless paperwork, feeling like there’s NEVER enough time in the day? I think most of you feel this way! That’s why I invited Kaci Ranger on the podcast to talk about practical time management strategies designed specifically for school counselors. We cover simple, effective ways to create str…
…
continue reading

1
When Parents Don’t Understand Your Role as a Counselor (and How to Change That!)
16:04
16:04
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
16:04Have you ever felt like parents don’t understand what you actually do as a school counselor? I know I’ve experienced this more times than I can count! In this episode, I dive into the challenges of working with parents who may not fully grasp your role and how that misunderstanding can sometimes lead to frustration or even hostility. While it’s eas…
…
continue reading

1
How to Set up a Peer Leader Program in Your School
17:37
17:37
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
17:37What if you could create a program that not only helps your students grow as leaders but also strengthens your entire school community? That’s exactly what we’re diving into today! I’m breaking down how to set up a successful peer leader program that empowers students, builds relationships, and lightens your counseling load. I’ll walk you through t…
…
continue reading
Have you ever stopped to truly notice the world around you—the small moments and subtle ways people carry the weight of their day? In this unique episode, I’m sharing a spoken word piece by Leah Grant, a high school counselor and podcast listener, who beautifully captures the essence of what it means to be a counselor. Through her quiet observation…
…
continue reading

1
We're Back With a Mid-Year Pep Talk and Check In
19:41
19:41
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
19:41After 150 episodes without a break, I finally hit pause - and it was the best decision! But now we’re back with a mid-year check in and pep talk. Plus, I’m sharing what I learned during my three-month hiatus and how it’s brought fresh inspiration for the podcast. I’ve got lots of incredible guests lined up and plenty of actionable tips and resource…
…
continue reading
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 ou…
…
continue reading

1
Shining a Light on Child Sex Trafficking with Krystal Nierman of Switch
56:25
56:25
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
56:25We 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…
…
continue reading

1
Pregnant and Parenting Teens: How to Support This Unique Population as a High School Counselor
18:26
18:26
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
18:26What 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 student…
…
continue reading

1
Developing Cultural Competency to Better Support Your Students with Jocelynn Hubbard
39:09
39:09
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
39:09You 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…
…
continue reading

1
Exploring Gap Year Opportunities for Your Students (or You!) with Julia Rogers
31:14
31:14
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
31:14Have 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 st…
…
continue reading

1
The School Counselor’s Role in School Safety and Crisis Management with Brandy Samuell
44:14
44:14
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
44:14When 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 man…
…
continue reading

1
I Gave up Social Media for a Month, and Here’s What Happened
28:19
28:19
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
28:19Have 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…
…
continue reading
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 st…
…
continue reading

1
Coffee with the Counselor: What It Is and How to Run It
25:09
25:09
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
25:09Have 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 h…
…
continue reading

1
Why You Need to Plan Your Year with a 10,000 Foot View
16:59
16:59
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
16:59Begin 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 a…
…
continue reading

1
How a High School Counseling Curriculum Map Will Set You Up to Win This Year
16:59
16:59
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
16:59Whether 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 c…
…
continue reading

1
Highs and Lows of Working with Seniors with Brittany Slagle
37:17
37:17
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
37:17You’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 love…
…
continue reading

1
How Do You Handle Working with Juniors? An Interview with Leigh Pottle
44:57
44:57
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
44:57Being 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 …
…
continue reading

1
What It’s Really like to Work with Sophomores with Hannah Fain
30:13
30:13
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
30:13We’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 exp…
…
continue reading

1
How to Seamlessly Transition 400 Ninth Graders into High School with Felicia Carter
40:56
40:56
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
40:56When 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 h…
…
continue reading

1
What We Need to Know About Our Rising Ninth Grade Students with Lauren Tenholder
39:02
39:02
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
39:02Before 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 wh…
…
continue reading

1
High School Counselor Office Prep for Back-to-School Season
12:23
12:23
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
12:23When 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-h…
…
continue reading

1
What I Learned from Supervising High School Counseling Interns
32:56
32:56
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
32:56One 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…
…
continue reading

1
Career Exploration Help for Your High School Students: A Free Podcast Resource
33:10
33:10
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
33:10I’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 moder…
…
continue reading

1
What to Do When You Work with an Old School Guidance Counselor
27:56
27:56
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
27:56As 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 perspe…
…
continue reading
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 th…
…
continue reading

1
Navigating Imposter Syndrome and Psychological Safety in the Workplace with Caroline Crawford
44:02
44:02
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
44:02Everyone 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…
…
continue reading

1
3 Educators Who Changed the Way I Approached My High School Counseling Job
19:48
19:48
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
19:48If 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…
…
continue reading

1
4 Things to Quit Worrying About as a Brand New School Counselor
16:12
16:12
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
16:12I 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…
…
continue reading

1
High School Transition: Creative Ways to Help Your Students Make the Leap from Eighth Grade to Ninth Grade
16:53
16:53
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
16:53Think 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…
…
continue reading

1
My 4 Must-Listen Podcast Episodes for New High School Counselors
15:58
15:58
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
15:58I love sharing ideas, tips, and advice about all things related to school counseling. But nothing makes me more excited than the joy, eagerness, and excited demeanor of new high school counselors! They've got all these new ideas they want to implement and are excited to hit the ground running. So, if you're a new high school counselor and thinking,…
…
continue reading

1
Advice for School Counseling Job Interviews with Rachel of Bright Futures Counseling
44:49
44:49
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
44:49This is the time of year when you might start looking for new opportunities in the form of a new counseling job. Whether you’re a student who just graduated college, a parent coming back into the workforce after staying home with your children, or just looking for a new place to help students, this episode is for you! I have my friend, Rachel Davis…
…
continue reading

1
Ready for Summer? Close out These 3 Things to End the Year as a High School Counselor
21:49
21:49
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
21:49Even though for some of you, summer might feel so far away, in reality, it’s just around the corner. I know I was always ready to leave and start relaxing, but there are certain things that need to get done before heading out the door. I want you to feel confident and know that you have everything wrapped up from the year and are ready to start a n…
…
continue reading

1
Making an Impact with Data at the End of the Year
15:59
15:59
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
15:59Sometimes, the things we have to do as high school counselors aren't glamorous, exciting, or thrilling. However, that doesn't mean they're not important or essential for running our counseling programs. One of those things is analyzing data. It's likely that you've collected data throughout the school year, but as the end of the year approaches, yo…
…
continue reading

1
School Counselor Strategies to Bring to Your Next IEP or 504 Meeting with Catherine Whitcher
34:33
34:33
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
34:33I’m shocked to say it, but today’s topic is a first for the podcast! It’s not something that we’re immersed in our day-to-day routine, but it’s so important in supporting student needs that, as high school counselors, we should be knowledgeable about it. That’s right, I’m talking about IEPs and 504s. Since I’m not an expert in this subject, I wante…
…
continue reading

1
7 High School Counselors Share Their Inspiring Wins
27:38
27:38
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
27:38I’ve said it before, but this time of year is one of the most stressful with graduation, wrapping up the school year, and so many other things that consume your school day. That’s why I wanted to take a moment and reflect on your year and, more importantly, the success you’ve had throughout the school year. To help celebrate, seven other high schoo…
…
continue reading

1
Accepting the Reality That Some Seniors Might Not Graduate
20:45
20:45
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
20:45As graduation approaches, you’re probably doing all the last-minute details of finalizing the details of the event, ordering cap and gowns, designing the program, and about a million other tasks. And while you’ve thought of every detail, you probably didn’t consider or want to think about the seniors not graduating. While it’s an unfortunate and de…
…
continue reading

1
From Off-Track to Graduation: Counselor Tips for Supporting At-Risk Students
15:13
15:13
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
15:13We’ve officially entered the last quarter of the school year, which means graduation for seniors is just around the corner. However, we all know some students who are at risk and in jeopardy of not getting their diplomas. As high school counselors, it’s part of our job to help those at-risk students graduate. So, I’m sharing ways you can specifical…
…
continue reading