Counseling and working in schools has been a passion of mine since I was five years old! I grew up in Boulder, CO (Boulder Panther alum!) and attended the University of Colorado at Boulder. I earned my Bachelors degree in History and attended the University of Colorado Denver for graduate school. I have a Masters degree in Counseling and hold a license in School Counseling. In addition, I also hold an LPC licensure (Licensed Professional Counselor) and I am a Nationally Certified Counselor. I began my career in BVSD as a high school coach and paraeducator. This is my fifth year as a School Counselor at Bear Creek Elementary and I am thrilled to be a part of such a wonderful school and community!
My personal goal as a school counselor is to optimize student success in their academic, personal, and career planning. I believe that counseling is very similar to teaching, coaching, and mentoring. It is my job to guide students, parents, and teachers as they navigate the rigors of school and life. In both my professional and personal life I have always lived by one simple quote: "Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can’t Lose". In a school, this means:
To be an advocate for all students
To model and teach lifestyle skills for personal achievement, cultural diversity, and personal responsibility
Support academic success for all students
Supporting self-awareness, social awareness, self-management, relationships skills, and most important responsible decisions making
Strength-based and data- driven counseling
Aligned with ASCA Standards
In my spare time, I like to spend time with my husband, our daughter, and our golden retriever. In high school, I was an avid ski racer and lacrosse player. This fostered my passion and love for the outdoors and everything Colorado has to offer. I enjoy hiking, skiing, cooking, and watching movies.
I am very excited to be your School Counselor this year, please feel free to reach out to me with any questions!
Email: montana.hatlen@bvsd.org
Phone: 720-561-3528
