Join hosts Jill Cook, ASCA executive director, and Janae Douglas, ASCA education and training coordinator, for conversations with school counselors and education leaders. Whether you’re looking for expert advice, inspiring stories or updates on best practices, I Hear You Say provides a trusted space for learning and connection within the school counseling community.

2024 Episodes

Episode 44: Navigating Ethics and Law in School Counseling
Host Jill Cook sits down with Carolyn Stone, Ed.D., professor emeritus at the University of North Florida, to explore the critical role of ethics and law in school counseling. Tune in for expert advice on how school counselors can confidently uphold ethical standards while supporting their students. Listen now.

Episode 43: Shaping Futures Through Career Development
Hosts Jill Cook and Angie Hickman chat with Jennifer Curry, Ph.D., school counselor educator at Louisiana State University. They dive into the importance of early career exploration and share practical career readiness activities tailored for students at various grade levels. Additionally, they explore the emerging role of AI in transforming career readiness programs. Listen now.

Episode 42: Engaging Teens in Addiction Prevention Through Empathy and Resilience
Hosts Jill Cook and Jen Walsh chat with Kriya Lendzion, a 23-year veteran school counselor with expertise in the areas of addictions and prevention. They discuss strategies for engaging teens, addressing vaping, and involving all staff and students in education and policy development. Listen now.

Episode 40: Combating Burnout and Managing Workloads
Hosts Jill Cook and Janae Douglas chat with Wisconsin school counselors and ASCA certified trainers, Steve Schneider and Sarah Flier. They share practical strategies for preventing burnout and managing workloads effectively. The conversation covers the importance of using data to prioritize tasks, measuring impact through pre-/post-assessments and collaborating with school staff to support student needs. Listen now.

Episode 39: Hear From a 2024 ASCA Annual Conference Presenter
Hosts Jill Cook and Kayla Shelton sit down with Sara Carpenter. Tune in as they discuss the ASCA Annual Conference, the importance of advocacy, staying up-to-date on trends, student needs, legal and ethical responsibilities and the importance of understanding the ethical implications of AI in education. Listen now.

Episode 38: Mental Health Awareness Month
Hosts Jill Cook and Qisti Gitosuputro sit down with Shakirra McKinley, a certified school counselor and mental health counselor, and Orlando Dobbins Jr., an elementary school counselor specializing in a strength-based approach to positive change for students. Tune in as they discuss mental health and social emotional learning within today’s schools. Listen now.

Episode 37: Hear from a Re-RAMP School
Hosts Jill Cook and Deirdra Williams chat with Becky Lins and Megan Bowden, school counselors at Peet Junior High in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Tune in as they dive into the journey of achieving the prestigious Recognized ASCA Model Program^® (RAMP^®) designation. From navigating data collection challenges to emphasizing the importance of teamwork, Becky and Megan share invaluable insights into their RAMP experience. Listen now.

Episode 36: 2024 School Counselor of the Year Finalists
Hosts Jill Cook and Janae Douglas sit down with the 2024 School Counselor of the Year finalists: Cindy Bourget, Elk Mound Middle School in Elk Mound, Wis.; Kristin Nye, Anna P. Mote Elementary School in Wilmington, Del.; Jennifer Sack, Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa, Okla.; and Jorge Torres, Foster High School in Tukwila, Wash. Tune in to discover how they’ve made a profound impact on their students and communities, and learn more about their innovative programs shaping the future of education. Listen now.