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I Hear You SayI Hear You Say Author: Jen Walsh
Hosted by the American School Counselor Association, "I Hear You Say" is a podcast for school counselors and other leaders in education. Tune in for conversations on school counseling hot topics and practical tips, legal and ethical considerations, and other themes relevant to school counselors. Language: en Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Episode 57: The Power of School Counseling: 2026 SCOY Finalists Share Their Impact
Thursday, 26 March, 2026
<img class=" wp-image-4816 aligncenter" src="https://videos.schoolcounselor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/ep57_social_media_1080x0180.jpg" alt="" width="375" height="375" /> 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.
