School Counseling Simplified Podcast Podcast Por Rachel Davis arte de portada

School Counseling Simplified Podcast

School Counseling Simplified Podcast

De: Rachel Davis
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School Counseling Simplified is a podcast offering easy to implement strategies for busy school counselors. The host, Rachel Davis from Bright Futures Counseling, shares tips and tricks she has learned from her years of experience as a school counselor both in the US and at an international school in Costa Rica.COPYRIGHT © 2026 · Bright Futures Counseling - www.brightfutures-counseling.com/disclosure-and-tou
Episodios
  • 294. Skill-Building Strategies for Small Groups with Sonya Kaidanov

    294. Skill-Building Strategies for Small Groups with Sonya Kaidanov
    Mar 31 2026
    Welcome back to another episode of School Counseling Simplified. Today I am interviewing Sonya, a school counselor and IMPACT member. In this episode, she shares practical strategies for running small groups, including how to focus on short term skill building so students can successfully return to class ready to learn. Sonya is a 2nd year school counselor at a title I elementary school in Gresham, OR. She has been in Oregon for 13 years but was born and raised in Lexington, KY. Sonya believes that the most impactful part of school counseling is connecting with families and inspiring students through restorative conversations and teaching the power of compassion and forgiveness. In her spare time, Sonya is always working on a jigsaw puzzle (she even has a puzzle library on her front porch!), tap dancing, hanging out with her dogs Sugar Bear and Bruce Wayne, playing chess and making everyone laugh as much as possible. Sonya would like to end this with her simple motto: life is a comedy, not a tragedy. We must remember that laughter is the best medicine. What do you love about school counseling? Sonya shares that the most rewarding part of her work is seeing the impact she has on students, both big and small. Even a brief 10 or 30 minute check in can make a meaningful difference. Whether students are repeating something they learned in a lesson or choosing to trust her with their feelings, those moments are what make the work so meaningful. What can you share with us about small groups? Sonya emphasizes that small groups are not meant to be a quick fix for behavior or an overnight solution. Instead, their value lies in the ability to reach and support many students at once. She currently runs about seven groups and aims to grow to ten or twelve so she can consistently serve students on her caseload each week. She also highlights the importance of boundaries and remembering that school is a place for learning. When students come to her room, she focuses on making the time effective by prioritizing meaningful skill building within a structured session. Scheduling can be one of the biggest challenges with small groups. Sonya recommends identifying times that students cannot miss, such as literacy or reading blocks, and working around those priorities. She uses Google Forms to gather teacher input and collaborates with them to find times that work for everyone. What is a day in the life for you? Sonya shares that this year, her kindergarten and first grade students need a high level of support, so she spends a significant amount of time working with those grade levels. Her day often includes phone calls with families, teaching class lessons, providing interventions, and attending Tier 2 and attendance meetings. She also creates a weekly news video for upper grade students, adding a creative and engaging element to her role. What advice do you have for new counselors? Sonya reminds new counselors that it is impossible to do everything, and there will always be a never ending to do list. It is important to stay grounded in your role and remember the purpose of your work. Students are at school to learn, and school counselors are there to provide short term, solution focused skill building to support that learning. Resources Mentioned: Join IMPACT Connect with Rachel: TpT Store Blog Instagram Facebook Page Facebook Group Pinterest Youtube More About School Counseling Simplified: School Counseling Simplified is a podcast offering easy to implement strategies for busy school counselors. The host, Rachel Davis from Bright Futures Counseling, shares tips and tricks she has learned from her years of experience as a school counselor both in the US and at an international school in Costa Rica. You can listen to School Counseling Simplified on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more!
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    21 m
  • 293. Fostering a Positive School Climate with Delana Carter

    293. Fostering a Positive School Climate with Delana Carter
    Mar 24 2026
    Welcome back to another episode of School Counseling Simplified. Today I am interviewing Delana, a school counselor and IMPACT member. I left our conversation feeling inspired and refreshed by her passion, her heart for students, and her commitment to creating a supportive and connected school climate. Delana lives with her husband Wesley and their three daughters, Salem, Caroline, and Dare, along with their two cats. She is a graduate of Calvary Christian School in King, North Carolina, where she now serves. After high school, she attended community college for two years before transferring to Lees-McRae College, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education. She began her career teaching fourth grade in a rural public school. While teaching, she earned her master's degree in Language and Literacy from Salem College, the oldest all girls college in North Carolina. During this time, she also taught basic skills courses at a local community college in the evenings. After marrying her husband in 2008 and starting a family, she transitioned fully into the community college setting, where she worked for 15 years. One of her most meaningful roles there was in the adult high school program, where students completed online coursework to earn a high school diploma. In 2022, she felt called to support high school students at Calvary Christian School and shared her vision with her pastor. She went on to create the Student Success program, which has continued to grow over the past four years. Her initial goal was to improve school climate, support teacher appreciation, and help students prepare for life after high school, whether through trades or college. She later became a Youth Mental Health Coach to better support the personal needs of her students. This year, she also stepped into the role of Elementary Supervisor. In addition to her professional work, she coaches middle school girls basketball, and her family stays busy supporting their daughters' involvement in volleyball, basketball, and softball. Much of their life is centered around their family and the school community they love. What do you love about school counseling? One of Delana's favorite parts of school counseling is being a trusted adult that students can connect with. She works intentionally to make her office a safe and welcoming space. She uses connection cards as a way to build relationships with students, giving them an opportunity to share both positive moments and times when they need emotional support. What does school climate mean to you? Delana shares that school climate is not just students. It includes students, faculty, and When discussing school climate, Delana emphasizes that it is not just about students. It includes students, faculty, and families. Her goal is for every student to find at least one moment in their day that brings them joy. She believes that a strong school climate begins with supporting families. When families feel supported and trust that the school has their child's best interests at heart, they are more likely to stay engaged. Similarly, when teachers feel valued and supported in their work environment, they are better able to show up for their students. Every role within the school community contributes to the overall climate. What is a day in the life for you? Delana begins her day around 7:45 in the morning with car line, which she sees as an important opportunity to connect with students right away. She then spends the first hour of her morning visiting elementary classrooms to connect with teachers and offer support, whether that means providing supplies, encouragement, or simply being present. Throughout the day, she schedules a variety of lessons, including character education, digital citizenship for middle school students, and career exploration for eighth graders. She also teaches personal finance lessons to tenth graders and college and FAFSA preparation for eleventh and twelfth graders, helping students plan for their futures after graduation. What advice do you have for new counselors? For new counselors, Delana encourages adaptability and a willingness to keep learning, whether through reading, collaborating with others, or gaining new experiences. She emphasizes the importance of being open, transparent, and kind when communicating with parents, as honesty helps build trust. She also recommends the book The Five Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace as a valuable resource for building positive relationships within a school community. Resources Mentioned: Join IMPACT Book - The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace Connect with Rachel: TpT Store Blog Instagram Facebook Page Facebook Group Pinterest Youtube More About School Counseling Simplified: School Counseling Simplified is a podcast offering easy to implement strategies for busy school counselors. The host, Rachel Davis from Bright Futures Counseling, shares tips and tricks ...
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    30 m
  • 292. Class Lessons and Self Love with Barbara Gruener

    292. Class Lessons and Self Love with Barbara Gruener
    Mar 17 2026
    Welcome back to another episode of School Counseling Simplified. Today I am interviewing Barbara, who after 40 years in the school setting now serves as a counselor mentor. With experience in both elementary and high school counseling, Barbara brings a wealth of wisdom to the conversation. In this episode, she shares her perspective on self love, meaningful connections with students, and the powerful role of classroom lessons in building relationships and preventing behavior concerns. After four decades of the gift of growing in her character building alongside learners of all ages and stages, Barbara Gruener now actively supports educators who are still in school doing the holy work of tenderly holding hearts and shaping the future for good. Her latest focus on self-love steps her way out of her comfort zone, where the real learning begins. Barbara and her husband live in Friendswood, TX, where they raised their three now-adult children. Her most recent blessing is being called Grammy. What do you love about school counseling? One of Barbara's favorite parts of school counseling is what she calls connecting by heart. She describes it as stepping into someone's story and saying, I have you. Tell me more. What is that experience like for you? She believes counselors have the opportunity to be a steady presence for students as they navigate their journeys. Sometimes that role looks like being a lighthouse that helps guide the way, and other times it is like serving as the rudder that gently helps steer the ship. Barbara emphasizes that connection extends beyond students. It also includes parents, teachers, administrators, and the broader school community. How do you manage class lessons at your school? When it comes to classroom lessons, Barbara believes engagement is key to preventing behavioral challenges later on. During her years in the classroom, she loved using puppets to enhance social stories and capture students' attention. She also highlights the importance of truly knowing your students. Understanding who enjoys participating and who may feel anxious about being called on allows counselors to make thoughtful accommodations. If counselors want to equip and empower students, Barbara encourages them to remain gently curious and take the time to get to know each child. Barbara also stresses the importance of pacing during lessons, especially when reading books with students. She believes that pausing to listen and reflect can be incredibly powerful. Sometimes the most meaningful moments in a lesson happen in the quiet spaces where students have the opportunity to process and share. What is a day in the life for you? Today, Barbara continues to support the counseling profession in many ways. She remains active in writing and has published three picture books, one chapter book, and one digital book. She also leads workshops, participates in author visits, writes blog content, and engages in other creative outlets. One of her recent areas of focus has been workshops centered on the Self Love Club, which she describes as a deeply meaningful and eye opening experience. What advice do you have for new counselors? For new counselors, Barbara offers heartfelt advice. She encourages counselors to go slow in order to ultimately go fast, recognizing that many days in the school setting can feel like triage. It is important to know when to close the door at the end of the day, go home, and replenish. She also reminds counselors to lean on teammates, community members, and the people who care about them so they can sustain their work without burning out. Resources Mentioned: Join IMPACT barbaragruenerauthor.com corneroncharacter.com Connect with Rachel: TpT Store Blog Instagram Facebook Page Facebook Group Pinterest Youtube More About School Counseling Simplified: School Counseling Simplified is a podcast offering easy to implement strategies for busy school counselors. The host, Rachel Davis from Bright Futures Counseling, shares tips and tricks she has learned from her years of experience as a school counselor both in the US and at an international school in Costa Rica. You can listen to School Counseling Simplified on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more!
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    30 m
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hello, I am a new Counselor in Washington. my program is a little different then most schools. Either way I am the only one in my school and my school is new, so they have never had a Counselor. This has helped me in so many ways and how to also stand out as a new Counselor. Thank you!

new Counselor

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This podcast has helped me so much as a first year school counselor. I highly recommend!

Amazing 👏

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