I have been the elementary school counselor in Luverne since 1988. I'm looking forward to meeting all the kindergarten and new students and parents. I'm also looking forward to working with all the students, parents, and teachers in the new year ahead.
I enjoy my work as a school counselor because there is so much variety in my job. I also really enjoy working with children. It is exciting when children learn skills such as getting along with others, making good choices, and expressing feelings without hurting self or others. Students benefit from learning these skills throughout their lives.
When I'm not working I enjoy spending time with my husband and two children. Some of my interests and hobbies include walking, reading, shopping, scrapbooking, traveling, gardening, cooking and visiting family and friends.
The three main components of my job include classroom lessons, small counseling groups, and individual counseling. All third grade students will participate in a friendship group sometime during the school year. I offer a variety of other groups such as study skills, anger management, changing families, loss, etc. I meet with students for individual counseling for issues such as changing families, friendship, coping with death, stress, anger management, to name a few. Referrals for students to talk with me can be made by classroom teachers, the principal, parents, or by the children themselves.
Some of my other duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: meeting with new students, preparing a counselor's newsletter each month to be sent to parents, coordinating the fifth grade adopt a grandparent program, and organizing speakers and residencies to come to our school. I serve on the following committees: Child Protection Team, Parents: Partners in Education, Child Guide, and SOARR - (Safe, Optimistic, Attitude, Responsible and Respect).
Education
Graduated from Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska with a bachelor's degree in psychology.
Attended the University of Minnesota-Duluth and received a Masters degree in educational psychology.
Completed 31 credits at the University of Wisconsin-Stout to pursue certification in guidance and counseling.
Attended Mankato State University to complete the coursework necessary for middle school certification.
Presentations
I have presented to a variety of groups such as the Worthington elementary teachers, rotary club, at Day of Excellence in Marshall, interagency,
school staff, Women of Today state convention, parents, at the 23rd Annual Program Sharing Conference; Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drug and Violence Prevention, for Southwest Elementary Counselors and twice at the Minnesota School Counselors Association Spring Conference.
Honors and Professional Organizations
Received the Elementary School Counselor of the Year award from the Southwest Minnesota School Counselors Association in 2003-2004.
Received the 2006 Minnesota School Counselors Association Elementary School Counselor of the Year Award.
Attended the Blandin Community Leadership Program on February 12-16, 2007.
1993-94 Served as secretary-treasurer for the SWMSCA (Southwest Minnesota School Counselors Association).
2005-06 and 2006-07 served as vice president of SWMSCA.
2007-08 and 2008-09 served as president of SWMSCA.
2013-2015 served as the president of SWMSCA.
Professional Memberships
SWMSCA
Minnesota School Counselors Association
American School Counselor Association
I enjoy my work as a school counselor because there is so much variety in my job. I also really enjoy working with children. It is exciting when children learn skills such as getting along with others, making good choices, and expressing feelings without hurting self or others. Students benefit from learning these skills throughout their lives.
When I'm not working I enjoy spending time with my husband and two children. Some of my interests and hobbies include walking, reading, shopping, scrapbooking, traveling, gardening, cooking and visiting family and friends.
The three main components of my job include classroom lessons, small counseling groups, and individual counseling. All third grade students will participate in a friendship group sometime during the school year. I offer a variety of other groups such as study skills, anger management, changing families, loss, etc. I meet with students for individual counseling for issues such as changing families, friendship, coping with death, stress, anger management, to name a few. Referrals for students to talk with me can be made by classroom teachers, the principal, parents, or by the children themselves.
Some of my other duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: meeting with new students, preparing a counselor's newsletter each month to be sent to parents, coordinating the fifth grade adopt a grandparent program, and organizing speakers and residencies to come to our school. I serve on the following committees: Child Protection Team, Parents: Partners in Education, Child Guide, and SOARR - (Safe, Optimistic, Attitude, Responsible and Respect).
Education
Graduated from Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska with a bachelor's degree in psychology.
Attended the University of Minnesota-Duluth and received a Masters degree in educational psychology.
Completed 31 credits at the University of Wisconsin-Stout to pursue certification in guidance and counseling.
Attended Mankato State University to complete the coursework necessary for middle school certification.
Presentations
I have presented to a variety of groups such as the Worthington elementary teachers, rotary club, at Day of Excellence in Marshall, interagency,
school staff, Women of Today state convention, parents, at the 23rd Annual Program Sharing Conference; Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drug and Violence Prevention, for Southwest Elementary Counselors and twice at the Minnesota School Counselors Association Spring Conference.
Honors and Professional Organizations
Received the Elementary School Counselor of the Year award from the Southwest Minnesota School Counselors Association in 2003-2004.
Received the 2006 Minnesota School Counselors Association Elementary School Counselor of the Year Award.
Attended the Blandin Community Leadership Program on February 12-16, 2007.
1993-94 Served as secretary-treasurer for the SWMSCA (Southwest Minnesota School Counselors Association).
2005-06 and 2006-07 served as vice president of SWMSCA.
2007-08 and 2008-09 served as president of SWMSCA.
2013-2015 served as the president of SWMSCA.
Professional Memberships
SWMSCA
Minnesota School Counselors Association
American School Counselor Association