School Counselors - The Unsung Heroes

The counselors in the Hanover Park Counseling Department are the unsung heroes of our school. They wear many hats and their responsibilities vary from college planning, scheduling, test proctoring, mentoring, counseling, advising, etc. Ultimately, what makes the Hanover Park Counseling Department special and unique is the personal connections that they make with the students which go a long way in promoting success and motivation in the students. This personal connection is essential in mapping a student’s career in high school and beyond in order for a counselor to get to know a student’s interests, a student’s strengths, a student’s background, etc. This information, then, helps a school counselor mentor and guide a student in what courses to take, in what co-curricular activities to join, in what athletic teams to join, in what possible career endeavors to pursue, and in even simply how to advocate for oneself when asking a teacher for a college recommendation, for help, or when interacting with other peers and adults.

We are proud of the Hanover Park Counseling Department as their role is not an easy one. The school counselors work with students on many facets of their lives: from social, to academic, to personal and family concerns. They do scheduling, college planning, writing letters of recommendation for colleges, coordinating awards and scholarships, and assisting with career building, jobs, and internships. Like in many other high schools, Hanover Park’s post high school planning and scheduling process remains a critical piece of ensuring success for all our students. Furthermore, a role of a school counselor spans beyond the items mentioned prior and also delves into building the self-worth of a student which ultimately helps the students thrive and become successful. For example, school counselors have many conversations and model actions that encourage growth mindset, grit, and resilience. They promote the importance of mindfulness, a healthy outlook, and social emotional learning in their students.

The Counseling Department is staffed by a district supervisor, five school counselors, one wellness coordinator, and two administrative assistants. The counseling staff have varied backgrounds, which include clinical counseling and teaching experience. This multitude of perspectives come together to benefit the students and staff of Hanover Park, as their various strengths and attributes provide many forms of assistance to staff, students, parents, and the community. TheWellnessCoordinatorisanewdistrictpositionthisschoolyearandhasproven to be a valuable resource and support for the students, staff, and community. The Wellness Coordinator, Dr. Lisa Allgaier, has conducted many optional student groups covering topics ranging from managing anxiety, social skills, promoting wellness, and practicing yoga and has presented to parents and staff on similar topics.

Patience, empathy, care, and diligence are qualities that every single staff member of the Hanover Park Counseling Department possess. Whether the task is testing, scheduling, college planning, mentoring, coordinating, the Counseling Department is ready to listen, to act, and to help anyone and everyone navigate through their high school career. So, please join us and say “thank you” to the Hanover Park Counseling Department and let them know that they are making a difference.