This show is the brain child of the Colorado School Counselor Association.
From Plains to Peaks, provides a space for all things school counselor.
Our hope is to make connections with folks around our state and beyond.
Provide some education, provoke some thought, engage in meaningful conversations from our point of view, and to bring some levity to our ever challenging yet very rewarding work in the field of education.
There’s a lot that goes in to be a school counsellor in Colorado – we don’t leap into action when times get tough, we’re there for the good times too.
So join us as we experience together – From Plains to Peak - Counsellor’s Speak.
Monica Bryant's Leadership, Self-Care, and Making Students Feel Seen
Monica Bryant shares her experiences as an elementary school counselor and emphasizes self-care, making students feel seen, and leadership in this interview with Anna Gisetti.
17 Jul 2025
Nick Brummett: Safe Spaces and Strong Leaders
Anna Gisetti interviews Nick Brummett about his journey from teaching to counseling, highlighting the importance of student voice and leadership, and offering self-care strategies for avoiding burnout.
26 Jun 2025
Gretchen Slaughter: Sparking Student Success and Advocating for Concurrent Enrolment and School Counseling
Gretchen Slaughter, a school counselor, discusses her concurrent enrollment program and its impact on student access to higher education, offering insights into building supportive programs in this interview.
13 May 2025
Finding Joy: Insights from a Veteran School Counselor
Ann Halromb is a seasoned school counselor with 36 years of experience in education. She discusses the importance of administrator-counselor relationships, self-care, and professional development. Ann shares her journey from aspiring veterinarian to educator and counselor, highlighting her passion for supporting students and volunteering at the Denver Zoo.
The conversation explores the challenges of school counseling, emphasizing the need for open communication with administrators and regular collaborative meetings. Ann discusses her involvement with the Colorado School Counselor Association (CSCA), including her roles as middle school vice president and board mentor.
In this episode, you will hear about finding joy, practicing self-care, and supporting fellow educators. Ann offers advice on maintaining wellness, enjoying small moments, and creating positive work environments. The episode provides insights into the rewarding yet challenging world of school counseling.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
18 Mar 2025
Maddy Francis: Counseling with Heart, Creativity, Compassion, and Advocacy
Maddy Francis is the 2023 Colorado School Counselor of the Year. A Colorado native, Maddy shares her unexpected journey into school counseling, transitioning from a dietetics background to elementary education after discovering her passion while coaching high school soccer.
4 Mar 2025
Vicky Helfer: A Conversation with CSCA's High School Counselor of the Year
Anna Gisetti and Vicki Helfer discuss the importance of school counseling and the challenges faced by school counselors. They highlight the significance of National School Counseling Week, which focuses on the profession rather than individual counselors. Vicki Helfer, the 2023 High School Counselor of the Year, shares her journey into school counseling, driven by her own mental health struggles and the desire to support others. She emphasizes the importance of data-driven advocacy, particularly for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and discusses her efforts to increase the number of school counselors in her building. Helfer also touches on the need for self-care to prevent burnout and the importance of staying informed and providing safe spaces for students amidst changing political climates.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
6 Feb 2025
Chris Lindsey: Removing Financial Barriers and Supporting Student Success
Anna Gisetti and Chris Lindsey discuss the significance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the importance of reflecting on one's legacy. Chris shares his journey from PR to school counseling, emphasizing the impact of administrative support and professional development. He highlights his role in removing financial barriers for students, particularly through FAFSA assistance, and the importance of community college presentations. Chris also mentions the challenges of navigating district priorities and the need for creative funding solutions. He advocates for self-care and team support to maintain well-being in the challenging field of school counseling.
The Website for Federal Student Aid is here.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
15 Jan 2025
Michelle Zinser: Balancing Law, Policy, and Ethics in Counselling
In this episode, Anna interviews Michelle Zinser, a high school counselor and co-chair of the CSCA Ethics Committee. Michelle discusses the importance of self-care and rejuvenation during school breaks, as well as her journey into education and school counseling, including her time teaching in Morocco. The conversation then focuses on the work of the CSCA Ethics Committee, which provides guidance and resources to school counselors facing ethical dilemmas. Michelle emphasizes the need for school counselors to be informed about ethics, law, and policy in order to best advocate for students, and she highlights the value of collaboration and consultation when navigating complex situations.
Contact Michelle via email here.
Email the Ethics Committee for questions at Ethics@coloradoschoolcounselor.org.
View the ASCA Ethical Standards here.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
9 Jan 2025
Guinevere Husic: Navigating the Challenges and Joys of Gifted Education
Guinevere Husic, a school counselor, discusses the challenges and rewards of her role, particularly at the end of a school semester. She highlights the importance of rest and personal activities like video games and reading for rejuvenation. Guinevere shares her journey from teaching high school science to counseling, emphasizing the need for advocacy and data collection to secure additional counseling support for K-8 students. She explains the unique needs of gifted students, including the importance of productive struggle and SEL support. Guinevere also discusses resources for counselors working with gifted students and the benefits of being part of the Colorado School Counselor Association.
Connect with Guinevere's LinkedIn here.
Find out more about SCMHI here.
Email Katie through the CSCA website.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented (CAGT)
National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC)
The Gifted Guru
Byrdseed
Embracing the Whole Gifted Self, by Patricia Gatto-Walden
Handbook for Counselors Serving Students with Gifts and Talents, ed. by Tracy L. Cross & Jennifer Riedl Cross
Off the Charts: Asynchrony and the Gifted Child, ed. by Christine S. Neville, Michael M. Piechowski. & Stephanie S. Tolan
Bright, Talented, and Black: a Guide for Families of African American Gifted Learners, by Joy Lawson Davis
Doing Poorly on Purpose: Strategies to Reverse Underachievement and Respect Student Dignity, by James R. Delisle
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
23 Dec 2024
Advocating for School Counselors: Insights from CSCA Chair Katie Brown
Katie Brown, a school counselor from Pueblo, Colorado, discusses her journey into education, her role as a school counselor, and her involvement with the Colorado School Counselor Association (CSCA). She highlights the importance of advocacy, sharing her experience as a political and community organizer. Katie emphasizes the need for school counselors to be involved in advocacy at all levels, from individual student needs to state-level legislative changes. She mentions the success of securing $2 million for counselor core grants and the efforts to reduce student-to-counselor ratios. Katie encourages school counselors to get involved in advocacy and to use resources like the Shmi survey to share their experiences.
Connect with Katie's LinkedIn here.
Find out more about SCMHI here.
Email Katie through the CSCA website.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
22 Dec 2024
Jenn Smela: Connecting and Supporting School Counselors
Anna Gisetti, a middle school counselor and assistant chair of the Colorado School Counselor Association (CSCA), interviews Jenn Smela, the CSCA chair. Jen shares her journey from Aurora, Colorado, to becoming a school counselor, highlighting her work with at-risk youth and her transition from high school to middle school counseling. Jenn discusses her involvement with CSCA since 2010, including her role in supporting counselors and addressing challenges like imposter syndrome. She emphasizes the importance of groundedness, realistic expectations, and peer support for both new and veteran counselors. Jenn also mentions the School Counselor Mental Health Initiative (SCMHI) survey to gather insights from counselors across Colorado.
Connect with Jenn's LinkedIn.
Find out more about SCMHI here.
Email Jenn through the CSCA website.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
21 Dec 2024
A Conversation with CSCA Executive Director Matthew McClain
In the inaugural episode of the Colorado School Counselor Association's podcast, host Anna Gisseti interviews Matthew McClain, the Executive Director. McClain shares his journey from psychology to school counseling, emphasizing his passion for serving all students. He discusses the current challenge of a shortage of school counselors, with many districts having open positions. McClain outlines the various committees within the association, including advocacy, professional development, and diversity, equity, and inclusion, and encourages involvement. He also highlights a data collection project with the School Counselor Mental Health Initiative to better understand school counselors' needs and improve support.
Connect with Matthew via his LinkedIn Page.
Email Matthew directly through the CSCA website.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
11 Dec 2024
Introducing: From Plains to Peaks, Counsellors Speak!
Host Anna Gisetti welcomes you to a brand new podcast series called From Plains to Peaks, Counsellors Speak!
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Who has been a guest on From Plains To Peaks, Counselors Speak
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Monica Bryant
Nick Brummett
Gretchen Slaughter
Podcast Authority Score: 25 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
49
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
0
Contact From Plains To Peaks, Counselors Speak
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of From Plains To Peaks, Counselors Speak?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
