Welcome to School Counseling

Licensed School Counselors are uniquely qualified to address all students’ academic, career and social/emotional development needs by designing, implementing, evaluating and enhancing a comprehensive school counseling program that promotes and enhances student success.

School Counselor Leadership Vision Statement

With the support of a school counselor throughout grades K-12, all SPPS students graduate with academic confidence and a spirit of curiosity. They embody a strong sense of identity. They experience mental wellness, healthy relationships, and joy. They are inclusive of all. They have fulfilling lives with a livable income, opportunities to grow, and the ability to impact the world.
School Counselor Leadership Mission Statement

The SPPS Counseling Leadership Team focuses on equity, data-driven practices, and ASCA alignment to support school counselors through leadership, advocacy, collaboration and systemic change so that all SPPS students are positively impacted by an equitable comprehensive school counseling program which inspires students to think critically, pursue their dreams, and change the world.
School Counselor Role in the Schools
Collaborate with school administrators throughout the school year to create a program action plan through yearly counselor/principal agreement.

Deliver comprehensive school counseling program that supports students' developmental needs in academic, social/emotional, and career domains.

Implement guidance curriculum through structured classroom lessons and small group sessions. Curriculum focus may include:

Academic Success Skills

Problem Solving & Conflict Management

Emotional Management & Self-Regulation

Bully Prevention

Career Exploration

Educational & Life Transitions

Facilitate student planning through the development of academic and career plans that reflect individualized learning styles & interests.

Implement responsive services through individual and small group counseling, and consultation.

Assist students in accessing information and support with tasks that prepare them for post-secondary education and career options.

Participate in site based multidisciplinary teams that support student achievement and identify individual student learning needs.
License(s) and Education
LICENSE(S):

School Counselors are licensed by the MN Department of Education - Most hold K-12 licenses, a few hold 1-6 or 7-12 licenses.

EDUCATION:

Master's Degree or Beyond.

SPECIALIZED SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE:
- Educators with a mental health perspective that makes them uniquely qualified to address all students' academic, social/emotional and career development needs.
- School Counselors provide all students equitable access to a comprehensive, developmentally appropriate school counseling program focused on academic success, personal and social development and college and career readiness.
POPULATION(S) SERVED:

All students and families - Primary focus is Tier 1 and 2 interventions.

Dual Credit Options

Dual Credit refers to all courses that allow students to earn high school and college credit while the student is in high school.

Counseling Internship Information

View the application process to become a School Counseling Intern in SPPS.

Prospective Employees

View the application process to become a School Counselor in SPPS.

American School Counselor Association (ASCA)

SPPS School Counselors follow the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model.

Scholarships

The Office of College and Career Readiness manages several privately funded scholarships. Learn more and complete the online application: https://www.spps.org/Page/29586

Transcript Requests

Transcripts are issued through the Student Placement Center. If you have completed course work (seat based or online) and need to have your transcript sent to a Non-SPPS school for high school credit, please follow the instructions on the following link. https://www.spps.org/Page/20983.

Contact School Counseling

Beth Coleman
Assistant Director, Office of College and Career Readiness
651-283-7739
beth.coleman@spps.org

Sue Arvidson
Lead Counselor, Elementary
651-200-8560
sue.arvidson@spps.org

Juli Montgomery-Riess
Lead Counselor, Middle School
763-349-5024
juli.montgomery-riess@spps.org

John Eschenbacher
Lead Counselor, High School
612-597-1226
john.eschenbacher@spps.org

Vanessa Boss
Business Clerk
651-744-5988
vanessa.boss@spps.org

Counseling

Welcome to School Counseling

School Counselor Leadership Vision Statement

School Counselor Leadership Mission Statement

School Counselor Role in the Schools

License(s) and Education

Dual Credit Options

Counseling Internship Information

Prospective Employees

American School Counselor Association (ASCA)

Scholarships

Transcript Requests

Contact School Counseling