Counseling Department: Helping Students Prepare for Bright Futures

Many changes and decisions occur during a student’s four years of high school. Sometimes, it can be challenging for students and parents to navigate these changes and decisions alone. However, this is where the School Counseling Department steps in. The counselors are equipped with the knowledge and professional development to guide students and their families through this time.

Patty Hagen — the College and Career Counselorand an alumnus of Reitz Memorial High School — has been privileged to work as a school counselor for the past 13 years.

“Reitz Memorial High School is fortunate in that our model breaks down the responsibilities of school counselors,” Mrs. Hagen says. “We have two academic counselors who stay with their students for four years, a social worker, and a dedicated career and college counselor. This model allows counselors to dedicate their professional development and knowledge base to one area of expertise, as opposed to three broad areas.”

In addition to providing a school counseling model that assures qualified counselors to help the students, the school recently purchased a program called Naviance. Naviance is a web-based college and career/school guidance application.

“Naviance is a one-portal library for most school counseling program needs,” Mrs. Hagen says. “It offers self-discovery inventories and surveys to explore how their personalities, interest, values, and skills align with many career options. It includes documentaries and interviews with professionals in a variety of career fields. Students can create resumes, and manage the entire college application process, all from one portal.”

The school counseling department works together toward college enrollment. The practice Scholastic Achievement Test (PSAT) is taken by students to help measure their growth. Juniors take the ACT, which colleges look at to determine college readiness. Reitz Memorial High School also utilizes the ASVAB, the military aptitude test designed to help the United States Armed Forces place people in suitable job roles. This has become a common tool that high schools utilize to help with skill assessment and career aptitude testing.

The academic counselors work with students on their academic performance and study skills. They also help students plan courses that develop their interests and align with the required coursework needed for college admission. Mrs. Hagen helps to facilitate the many separate programs and holds classroom lessons, information meetings, and individual meetings with juniors and seniors to help them and their families prepare for their plans after graduation. This year the school will be holding a Financial Aid Night and a FAFSA workshop provided by InvestEd.

“It is quite a privilege to accompany students and families through the high school years as a school counselor,” Mrs. Hagen says. “Whether providing counseling for emotional/social issues, guiding them through career and college self-discovery activities, preparing them for testing, or facilitating their college application process or springboard into the world of work, I see the Hand of the Holy Spirit on your children’s shoulders. God works all things for the good of those who love Him. I have witnessed this time and time again in school counseling.”

This model allows counselors to dedicate their professional development and knowledge base to one area of expertise, as opposed to three broad areas.” — Patty Hagen, College and Career Counselor