School Counseling

Program Overview

Through expert guidance, strategic planning and tailored solutions, we collaborate with school counselors to enhance their effectiveness, streamline processes and address unique challenges. We offer insights into data-driven practices, best counseling approaches and compliance with state and national standards, helping districts/schools build a comprehensive counseling framework that fosters student well-being, growth and readiness for life beyond school.

Our school counseling supports empower districts/schools to elevate their counseling programs, ensuring every student is supported in their academic, personal and postsecondary pursuits.

Examples of Support

We customize our work with school counselors and administrators including, but not limited to:

  • Program audits
  • K-12 system planning
  • Curriculum review
  • Data analysis
  • Data-driven plans
  • PLC coaching
  • Individual coaching & consulting
  • Professional learning
  • Crisis plans
  • Counselor/administrator relationships
  • School counselor evaluation supports
  • Ethical decision-making processes
  • School counseling leadership
  • Time & task analysis
  • Universal tier support
  • Tier 2 & 3 support

Email Group

To be included in the school counseling email group, contact Sue Schirmer.

Download the Flyer

Heartland AEA School Counseling Supports

Enhancing School Counseling Programs for Impact

For additional information, visit:

Iowa School Counseling Framework

Iowa Department of Education

Important Contacts

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Susen Schirmer

Sue Schirmer

  • Professional Learning & Leadership Consultant

Education: Bachelor’s degree, communication studies & theatre education; Master’s degree, counseling & human resource development; Educational administration certification

Experience: Secondary language arts teacher, School counselor, Professional learning consultant
Joined Heartland AEA in 2005

Expertise: School counseling, Cognitive Coaching, postsecondary success, at-risk programming

Professional affiliations: Iowa School Counselor Association (former board member, Lifetime Achievement Award, Advocate of the Year Award), American School Counselor Association, Cognitive Coaching mentor trainer, National College Attainment Network

How I’ve made an impact: I am a school counseling consultant who partners with districts to design data-driven, ASCA-aligned K-12 programs that support student success at every level. I work to empower student success beyond high school through strategic partnerships, coaching, collaboration and consulting to equip district teams with the tools to guide students toward postsecondary achievements.

School Counseling