This week – February 2-6 – we will honor our talented school counselors. We hope you will enjoy reading these profiles as much as we enjoyed creating them. Remember, there are hundreds of other counselors who weren’t highlighted here, so make sure to celebrate the counselors that you know on social media using #SDPThankACounselor!
National School Counseling Week – 2026
Faith Zaback | Meredith Elementary
Years as a School Counselor: 30
How does this School Counselor help their students thrive? (Student Response)
My school counselor supports my success by being there whenever I have problems to report to her, to give feedback, and to reach out to when a problem occurs. Ms. Zaback has worked here for what feels like an eternity. Ever since I stepped into the wonderful Meredith community, I always knew I had someone to talk to if I needed anything. Ms. Zaback also sets up a school survey so we can give feedback on our school, and if something needs to be changed. Ms. Zaback is a great school counselor to have and the Meredith community was lucky to have her. We will miss her!
I Help Amplify My Students’ Success by… (Counselor’s Response)
As the School Counselor at Meredith Elementary School, I amplify student success by creating a nurturing, inclusive environment where every child feels seen and supported. As counselors, we empower students to take ownership of their learning by regularly monitoring their grades, social-emotional well-being, and progress. Throughout the year, we review data to recognize growth and celebrate meaningful achievements. Student success extends beyond academics; it includes developing self‑awareness, confidence, and the willingness to try new experiences. As a student advocate, we support them through this development. Together as a community, we foster a positive, inclusive, and supportive environment where all students feel valued and are encouraged to grow socially, emotionally, and academically both in and out of the classroom.
Andrea Freeman | Overbrook Elementary
Years as a School Counselor: 6
How does this School Counselor help their students thrive? (Student Response)
My school counselor helps amplify my success by being there for me to talk to when I have a problem, and she always tries to help with funding for the school and for trips, such as visiting high schools, etc. She helps me calm down and sometimes helps me with hard work. She is super nice and super helpful. She helps me keep my feelings in control. She lets me express how I really feel. She has no judgment of me.
I Help Amplify My Students’ Success by… (Counselor’s Response)
My open-door policy provides a safe and welcoming space for my students to share their thoughts and feelings. I emphasize a judgment-free zone to help them reflect on their behavior, character building, and being positive change agents. I guide them to be peaceful problem solvers in their everyday lives through accountability and shared responsibility. I help my students understand the importance of their education, self-advocacy, and having self-control.
Eric Brown | Hackett Elementary
Years as a School Counselor: 9
How does this School Counselor help their students thrive? (Student Response)
I can tell him anything without feeling judged. He feels like a family member. When I am sad, he makes my day better because I know he’s there and he cares. He teaches me strategies to help me stay calm. He talks to me and makes me feel safe.
I Help Amplify My Students’ Success by… (Counselor’s Response)
I amplify my students’ success by being an early and frequent member of their support team. From early kindergarten jitters to 5th-grade move-up day, I share in their daily experiences. I am their adult champion, advocate, and confidant. Their safe person who validates their feelings, values their thoughts, and vigorously fights for them.
Dr. Christine Soda | Central High School
Years as a School Counselor: 21
How does this School Counselor help their students thrive? (Student Response)
A great teacher is one who leaves an impact, a teacher who you aren’t nervous to talk to, who is always there to help you, and who sees you not just as a student but as a person. With this in mind, my “teacher” of the month would be my counselor, Dr. Soda……As she asked me, “What’s going on?” I started tearing up; there was too much. I shared everything I had been struggling with to this complete stranger. I felt so lost, and this felt like a last hope. With every word she thoughtfully told me, I felt just a little less lost. She helped me with everything and taught me so much.
I Help Amplify My Students’ Success by… (Counselor’s Response)
My Philosophy as a school counselor: My office must be a brave space where students can be their true, authentic selves. Students know that when they walk into my office, they are more than a GPA or a test score. I see my students as individuals, each with a unique story and limitless potential. My approach to amplifying student success influences three critical pillars: navigating academic achievement and removing barriers, creating a social-emotional foundation for students in collaboration with our school community, and supporting postsecondary planning in an intentional way where students find opportunities where they can thrive.
Dr. Pamela Gray | Hartranft Elementary School
Years as a School Counselor: 18
How does this School Counselor help their students thrive? (Student Response)
Her way of talking and her overall vibe just make her even better. She makes sure everyone is fine and actually cares about our futures. What I’ve heard through other people they all say amazing things. She’s the exact expectation of what an amazing counselor is, and I couldn’t be more grateful to have her as my counselor.
I Help Amplify My Students’ Success by… (Counselor’s Response)
I amplify student success by addressing academic, social, and emotional needs through a comprehensive counseling approach. I build trusting relationships that encourage students to seek support and advocate for themselves. By collaborating with teachers, families, and administrators, I help remove barriers to learning and promote equitable access to resources. I use data to identify students in need of intervention and provide targeted supports, such as individual counseling, group sessions, and goal-setting strategies. I empower students with coping skills, self-awareness, and decision-making tools, fostering resilience, confidence, and long-term success both in school and beyond.
Alexander Helms | George Washington High School
Years as a School Counselor: 20
How does this School Counselor help their students thrive? (Student Response)
One thing I will always remember from him is, ” 4 years from now, you’ll be a different person. You’ll learn and know about things that you don’t know today. Who knows? You might learn things that you can’t even imagine today.” It really stuck with me and I always have it in mind, when I’m planning something long term or in the future. Overall, this counselor stood out to me the most because he wasn’t passive about his work and help. Out of the whole school, he was one of the few people who genuinely cared and helped me out to get a direction on my career interest. He really helped out with the trajectory and what I had to do to go with that. I had to make tough decisions that I’m glad I did, or else I would’ve regretted it later on. Without his guidance and support, I wouldn’t have been able to have this much clarity on what I plan to do and carry out.
I Help Amplify My Students’ Success by… (Counselor’s Response)
As a high school counselor, my role is to promote students’ successes by supporting both academic and social-emotional development during this very important transitional period. On the academic side, course selection is very important to ensure that students are challenged appropriately and are on track for graduation. In the social-emotional domain, I strive to help students manage stress, properly handle relationships, and find their place in this ever-more-complicated world. At the end of the day, it is those personal relationships that we nurture with students that create lasting memories and sustain them through the challenges ahead.
Jennifer Lukach | Hancock Demonstration Middle Schools
Years as a School Counselor: 16
How does this School Counselor help their students thrive? (Student Response)
My School Counselor helps amplify my success by bringing a smile on my face every time I see her. When I’m feeling down she always pops up somewhere and ask if I’m okay. Last year she always brought me to class if I was late. She helped me with my home problems and ever since I met her I almost always have a smile on my face in the hallways cause she made me feel welcome. I will always love her till I’m in middle school she helped me soooooo much with my life I cant wait to spend more years with her!!!!
I Help Amplify My Students’ Success by… (Counselor’s Response)
School counseling teams provide a safety net for students in an effort to bridge the gap between everyday obstacles and realizing their own capabilities. With a little bit of time, empathy, care and compassion, real connections are built. This work is evident in the celebrations of student accomplishments big and small! There is something deeply rewarding about watching as students find their voice and grow in confidence. It is truly a privilege and an honor to do this work and I am forever grateful to all of the students and families I have met on this journey!
Wanda Raudenbush | Forrest Elementary School
Years as a School Counselor: 20
How does this School Counselor help their students thrive? (Student Response)
Ms. Raudenbush wants all students to attend school every day. She helps when I have a problem and helps me when I’m sad. She makes time for me. She listens when you need someone to talk to. She supports us by making sure we have food and organizes after school activities such as Girls on the Run, dance club, and bike club.
I Help Amplify My Students’ Success by… (Counselor’s Response)
To amplify student success, I meet students where they are, cultivating a calming and supportive environment that fosters authentic growth. By championing the principle of “progress over perfection,” I encourage students to become intrinsic learners who take ownership of their development. I further support their success by integrating compassion and empathy with clear accountability. Through positive affirmations and the belief that mistakes are essential catalysts for learning, I empower students to embrace self-growth. My mission is to provide the stability and encouragement necessary for every student to achieve their highest potential.
Jennifer Berl | Anne Frank School
Years as a School Counselor: 16
How does this School Counselor help their students thrive? (Student Response)
My school counselor, Miss Berl, helps me reach my academic goals, helps me with emotion regulation, and keeps the school peaceful and calm, so that we can learn normally and so that school is a happier place. She helps me reach my academic goals because she helps me know what I need to work on and what I’m good at. She helps me with emotion regulation because when I have a problem, she helps me understand it better and smooths out the situation like cement.
I Help Amplify My Students’ Success by… (Counselor’s Response)
As a School Counselor for grades K–5, I amplify student success by supporting academic growth, social-emotional development, and positive behavior for a diverse student population. I serve approximately 800 students through classroom lessons, small-group interventions, and individual counseling. I collaborate closely with families and work alongside supportive coworkers whose partnership strengthens student outcomes. Despite the size of my caseload, I am relentless in advocating for equity, remaining visible, accessible, and responsive. Together, we create an inclusive environment where students feel supported, empowered, and ready to learn.
Justin Frangipani | Adaire Elementary School
Years as a School Counselor: 10
How does this School Counselor help their students thrive? (Student Response)
When my parents got divorced, me and 2 other kids with their parents, divorced as well, went in with Mr. F for sessions, and the sessions helped me focus more in class so I could learn better. He helps organize PBIS to improve behavior and help solve fights to make us improve as students. He solves problems and helps prevent bad stuff from happening.
I Help Amplify My Students’ Success by… (Counselor’s Response)
I amplify student success by meeting each student where they are and advocating for what they need to thrive. Through MTSS and PBIS frameworks, I help create targeted interventions and positive supports that help students overcome barriers. Whether I’m teaching guidance lessons on friendship skills and healthy choices, coordinating with families, or connecting students to resources, I work to ensure every voice is heard and valued. I believe in building genuine relationships and creating an equitable environment where all students have the tools, support, and opportunities to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.