Jessica earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from St. Olaf College in Minnesota, and her master’s degree in counseling psychology from the University of Devner. She has served as a counseling intern at a number of local schools, including Golden High School, Fallis Elementary, and Drake Middle School. She also worked as an admissions counselor at St. Olaf College.

 

As the school counselor for Foothills Academy, she visits classrooms to interact with students and faculty. Her area of expertise is in the psychological aspects of education that involve such topics as the sources of and solutions to bullying, parenting, suicide awareness and college planning. She works with students to help them make the eventual transition from the academic environment to life in the world of adults.

 

In her work with the upper school, she is dedicated to helping students make their way through the college admissions process. She has employed new approaches to preparation for the ACT, promoted Foothills to the college community, taken outings to colleges, and now encourages students to begin thinking about college applications earlier than they might think they should. She also meets with parents to help them work with their children as they work through the application process for continued education.

 

“I [like to] work within those teachable moments when you meet students exactly where they are and help them understand themselves better in the process,” says Jessica.