6th Grade Counselor

Mrs. Emily Schmitt

Emily has been in Liberty Public School District for 22 years (19 as a counselor) working most recently at Liberty North High School. She began her career in LPS at Liberty Junior High (HMS) and has returned to the place it all began. Emily graduated from Park Hill High School and played volleyball at Baker University. where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Spanish and Psychology.  She earned a Masters in School Counseling from UCM. 

Emily and her husband Ryan have 4 boys.  All are LNHS graduates and as of this summer all are off to college. In Emily's free time she likes to spend time outside, exercising, playing with her dog Maclyn, and spending time with family and friends. 

7th Grade Counselor

Mrs. Kelli Gillespie

The 2023-2024 school year will be Mrs. Gillespie's 11th year as a school counselor and 6th year at Heritage Middle School.  She is a Liberty native and graduated from Liberty High School in 2008.  Mrs. Gillespie absolutely loves living and working in her hometown, especially in a school she once attended.  She received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Leadership Studies at William Jewell College and her Master's Degree in Counseling from MidAmerica Nazarene University.

Mrs. Gillespie is passionate about responsive services, social emotional learning and helping students develop healthy coping skills. Outside of school, Mrs. Gillespie loves being with family specifically her husband, two sons and goldendoodle.  She enjoys working out, reading and attempting to recreate amazing home decor ideas from HGTV.

8th Grade Counselor

Mrs. Hilari McLaughlin

Mrs. McLaughlin started her professional career as a therapist in a residential treatment center for teens with attachment disorders. She has been a school counselor for 11 years, beginning her school counseling work at Lexington Middle School, and in North Kansas City school district for five years before coming to Heritage in 2021. She received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from theUniversity of Missouri and a Master’s in Education Counseling from Stephens College. She then got her school counseling certification from Missouri Baptist University.

Mrs. McLaughlin’s passion is responsive services and she always tries to meet students where they are. When not at school, Mrs. McLaughlin loves being at home with her husband, two daughters and toy poodle. She enjoys reading, doing yoga, and going to the lake with friends and family.