I Hear You Say

In this episode of I Hear You Say, hosts Jill Cook and Janae Douglas welcome licensed professional counselor Emily Kircher-Morris for a conversation about understanding and supporting gifted and twice-exceptional (2e) students, those who demonstrate advanced abilities while also navigating challenges such as ADHD, autism or dyslexia. Emily draws on her professional expertise and personal experience as a twice-exceptional student to explore common misconceptions about gifted learners, the challenges of identifying students whose strengths may mask their struggles, and the importance of recognizing their unique academic, social and emotional needs. The conversation also examines barriers to accessing accommodations and support services, the role of perfectionism and executive functioning, and how school counselors can help students navigate their strengths, challenges and future opportunities. Emily shares practical strategies for collaborating with educators and families, advocating for appropriate support and creating environments where gifted and twice-exceptional students can thrive.

In this episode of I Hear You Say, recorded live at the ASCA Annual Conference in New Orleans, host Jill Cook welcomes ASCA board members Ebonee Magee-Dorsey, DPC, and Matthew Berry for a conversation about their journeys into school counseling and the importance of leadership and professional involvement. Magee-Dorsey shares her unexpected path from meteorology to school counseling and her advocacy efforts to expand school counseling services in her Mississippi school district, while Berry reflects on how his work with homeless and at-risk youth led him to a career in school counseling. They discuss what inspired them to serve on the ASCA Board of Directors, the board's role in shaping the organization's direction and the importance of ensuring diverse member perspectives are represented in leadership decisions. The conversation also explores opportunities for school counselors to get involved at the local, state and national levels; build meaningful professional connections; and take the next step in their own leadership journeys. Please visit Board of Directors to learn more about the ASCA Board.

In this episode of I Hear You Say, recorded live at the ASCA Annual Conference in New Orleans, hosts Jill Cook and Janae Douglas welcome Angela Avery, a longtime school counselor and leader at Sanford Middle School in Southern Maine, adjunct faculty member at the University of Southern Maine, and 2016 Maine School Counselor of the Year. Avery discusses why suicide prevention should extend beyond crisis response, with school counselors taking a proactive role in strengthening protective factors such as connection, belonging, coping skills, help-seeking, and bullying prevention. The conversation explores how tiered supports can help counselors recognize early warning signs, including isolation, bullying, truancy, and a lack of meaningful connections with peers or trusted adults. Avery also addresses the importance of talking openly about suicide and shares practical strategies counselors can use throughout the school year, from teaching coping skills and helping students identify trusted adults to consistently promoting the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, particularly during times of transition. Crisis/Trauma/Grief/Loss ASCA On-Site Training ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors Suicide Prevention and Response Toolkit

In this episode of I Hear You Say, hosts Jill Cook and Janae Douglas welcome Charle Peck, international keynote speaker, author, former educator and clinical trauma therapist, for a conversation about helping school counselors build stress tolerance and thrive under pressure. Peck explores the difference between simply surviving and truly thriving, why even highly capable educators can struggle when stress takes over and how anticipating pressure points can help school counselors prepare before challenges arise. She shares practical strategies for strengthening communication with teachers and families, using quick “rapid resets” to regulate the nervous system, recognizing negative “story spirals” and staying grounded by considering what information might be missing. The conversation also explores emotional regulation and co-regulation as the heartbeat of a school, the importance of modeling calm leadership and setting respectful limits, as well as how small, manageable steps can build greater well-being and resilience throughout the school year.

In this episode of I Hear You Say, hosts Jill Cook and Janae Douglas welcome Brent Burnham, nationally recognized educator, former school counselor and creator of the Bully Blockers and Cool2Care Revolution programs, for a conversation about supporting students' mental health and resilience. Burnham explores how school counselors can use data and the ASCA Student Standards to proactively support the whole child while addressing the growing impact of stress, anxiety and depression. He shares practical strategies for fostering a growth mindset, helping students reframe setbacks, recognize negative self-talk and build confidence through effort and persistence. The conversation also covers identifying signs of emotional distress, incorporating mindfulness and self-regulation techniques into the school day and understanding when students should be referred to mental health professionals for additional support.

In this episode of I Hear You Say, host Jill Cook, ASCA executive director, and co-host Christy Welch, chair of ASCA, welcome board candidates Ebonee Magee-Dorsey, DPC, Monica Bryant, Ed.D., Andres Castro, Ed.D., and Tosha Todd to discuss their backgrounds, leadership philosophies, and visions for the future of the profession. The candidates share why they are seeking board service and explore key issues facing school counselors, including advocacy, equitable access to comprehensive school counseling programs, student mental health, workforce readiness, and counselor retention. They also discuss the importance of transparent, collaborative governance and their commitment to helping ASCA continue advancing the profession and supporting school counselors nationwide.

In this episode of I Hear You Say, host Jill Cook, ASCA executive director, and co-host Janae Douglas, ASCA education and training coordinator, are joined by Dr. Emily Goodman-Scott, Dr. Jennifer Betters-Bubon, Dr. Peg Donohue and Dr. Jacob Olsen, collectively known as School Counselors for MTSS, for a conversation about the growing role of multitiered systems of supports (MTSS) within the school counseling profession and its integration into the ASCA National Model®. The guests reflect on how the field has evolved from introducing MTSS concepts to focusing on deeper, more intentional implementation and share updates from the newly submitted second edition of "Making MTSS Work." The discussion explores expanded real-world examples; stronger guidance around teaming and collaboration; evidence- and practice-based interventions; and the importance of incorporating student, family and staff perspectives into Tier 1 systems. They also discuss practical implementation tools, including phased planning and checklists, along with strategies for aligning initiatives such as SEL and restorative practices within MTSS frameworks. Throughout the conversation, they emphasize that effective MTSS requires intentional systems, consistent practices and fidelity, rather than simply layering disconnected tiered activities.

In this episode of I Hear You Say, host Jill Cook, executive director of the American School Counselor Association, and co-host Leisl Moriarty, director of affiliate relations at ASCA, are joined by leaders from the Oklahoma School Counselor Association – Chelsea Hinkle, Dr. Sarah Kirk and Allison Morris – to discuss their 2025 award-winning Supporting Emergency and Alternative Licensure (SEAL) program. Created in response to a growing number of emergency-certified school counselors across the state, SEAL is a semester-long virtual training series designed to build foundational skills and align participants with the ASCA National Model®. The conversation explores how the program is strengthening confidence, improving program quality and expanding access for school counselors in rural and virtual settings. The group also shares lessons learned along the way, including navigating funding challenges, building buy-in and using data to support advocacy efforts.

In this special episode of I Hear You Say, host Jill Cook, ASCA executive director, and co-host Janae Douglas, ASCA’s education and training coordinator, are joined by the four 2026 School Counselor of the Year finalists –  Leka Anitema (Maui High School, Hawaii), Annie Goldberg, ACSC, (Broadview Middle School, N.C.), Lydia Thu Kim Larimore (Neabsco Elementary School, Va.), and Summer Royale Whittington (Ernest Gallet Elementary School, La.). The conversation explores the most urgent challenges facing school counselors nationwide, including rising student mental health needs, gaps in self-regulation skills, immigration-related fears in school communities and inequitable access to postsecondary pathways. The finalists also share how school counselors can influence systems without formal authority by using data for advocacy; clearly defining their role; and building strong partnerships with school leaders, educators, families and community partners. Each finalist highlights transformational initiatives from their schools: expanding college, career and workforce access across multiple Hawaiian islands; reducing discipline referrals through trauma-informed teacher support; implementing restorative justice to lower suspensions; and cutting chronic absenteeism through student-led mentorship focused on connection and belonging. Together, their stories showcase the scope, strength and systemic impact of the school counseling profession and the ways school counselors across diverse communities are shaping school culture, expanding opportunity and centering equity and care in their work.

In this episode of I Hear You Say, host Jill Cook, executive director of the American School Counselor Association, and co-host Janae Douglas, ASCA’s education and training coordinator, welcome Danielle R. Crankfield, school counselor at Crofton High School in Gambrills, Md., and the 2026 ASCA School Counselor of the Year®. Danielle reflects on how her own high school counselor inspired her career and what continues to fuel her passion 15 years later. She shares how, during Crofton’s founding year amid the pandemic, she analyzed course enrollment data to uncover inequities in honors and AP science placement, leading to collaborative changes that expanded access. Danielle discusses Crofton’s open-access model for rigorous coursework and offers practical guidance for school counselors seeking to advance success for each and every student  through data, student voice and persistent advocacy.