I am beyond honored to announce that I am a finalist for the American School Counselor Association's 2025 School Counselor of the Year Award. This recognition celebrates the dedication and heart of school counselors across the country, and I am so proud to represent our incredible community! 

It's surreal to follow in my mom's footsteps and win this award. She was a beloved counselor herself, and I’ve always looked up to her. Being a fourth-generation educator, helping students has always been a family affair.

I’m so grateful for this recognition. It’s not just about me; it’s about all the amazing school counselors across Kansas. We work tirelessly to support our students.

And I can’t forget my amazing therapy dog, Piper! She’s a huge part of my team.

Travis True and I presented on "AI and Student Success"  at the ASCA National Conference, crossing off a bucket list item for me! Attendees ranged from AI novices to those with a deeper understanding. The goal was to provide practical tools for counselors to enhance their practice and support students. The presentation was well-received, with attendees praising its accessibility and informative content. 

As one attendee shared, “My knowledge of AI was quite limited prior to this, but Hanna and Travis gave so many great things for me to try this year - and didn’t make it sound so scary!! Great presentation with tons of information!!!” Another attendee commented, “Loved them! So informative, a great pair! Lots of energy and great ideas!” The enthusiasm was echoed by a third attendee who stated, “Love love loved this session I wish we had time to pick Hanna’s brain more!!!! Awesome! This session could have easily been 1.5 hours!”

I  visited  Kenya, where I worked in local schools and met with government officials. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I learned firsthand about the dire situation in Kenya, where many people lacked access to masks and faced harsh consequences for non-compliance. 

In response, I taught myself to sew and initiated a project to send 1000 masks to the Kenyan village. . I visited. Not only did I achieve this goal, but I also raised funds to purchase sewing machines for the local community, empowering them to produce their own masks and other essential items.

 Inspired by my experiences, my students formed a group called Brighter Communities, dedicated to supporting Kenyan communities. Through fundraising efforts, the students raised an impressive $1000 to benefit a sister school in Kenya.

As Dean of School Counseling, I am dedicated to supporting our counselors in providing comprehensive programs that align with the ASCA National Model. My role involves guiding and empowering our counseling team to create a supportive learning environment for all students.

I work closely with counselors, administrators, teachers, and parents to develop and implement data-driven initiatives that measure student success. By focusing on the ASCA National Model, I ensure that our students have the resources and support they need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.