The right support, at the right moment, can make all the difference in a young person’s life. That’s where dedicated school counselors come in, and the research proves it. Kathy Pelzer, a founding member of the California Association of School Counselors, has seen it first hand throughout her career. Schools with a full-time counselor see improved attendance, higher graduation rates, and more students heading to college. It’s not just about academic advice; having a trusted a

The Detour That Defined Me Have you ever had life hand you a “no” that eventually became the best “yes” you never expected? In 1989, I lived that story. I had applied to a graduate program in School Psychology, confident it was the path I was meant to take. Then came the letter: “Unfortunately, we do not have a spot for you in the School Psychology program, but we would like to offer you a place in our School Counseling program.”  My application was good enough—it just wasn’t

Mike Johnson, a middle school counselor in California, shares his school's approach to engaging busy working families in their children's...

Educators may not wear capes, but the way they show up in students' lives makes them superheroes. Cher Kretz, a school counselor and...

Dr. Loretta Whitson, Executive Director and leader of the California Association of School Counselors, shares a little note she received...

Anita Shirley, EdD, has many impactful stories to share from her career in education, but this BIG WIN story will inspire anyone to...

Every day, thousands of educators make profound positive differences for students across the nation and globe. This series, "Big Wins,...

How simply showing up can provide safety, healing, and hope for students navigating trauma. by: Josh Godinez "In the wake of national...

Public education is a cornerstone of our democracy, but it’s facing real challenges right now. Jami Parsons, Deputy Executive Director of...

For many students, it’s easy to feel lost, unmotivated, or like you don’t fit in. At the start of middle school, Anya, a Southern...

School counselors play a crucial role in student well-being that goes far beyond academics. Amber Thompson, a high school counselor in...

School counselors are essential to student well-being. Tawnya Pringle’s decades of experience show how counselors notice when students...

Why Students Need More Than Academics to Succeed Students bring their whole lives with them to school. Patty Taylor, a veteran teacher,...

Many families and educators want students to leave school ready to work with others, speak up for themselves, and handle real-world...

The conversation around educator well-being was front and center at the 2024 California Association of School Counselors conference....

At the 2024 California Association of School Counselors conference, one of the main topics was how to create real, positive change in...