After years of working with middle school students, Jolene Strunz has taken on a new role as a high school counselor at KHS, helping students adjust to their schedule, prepare for college, and help them get ready for life after graduation.
Strunz earned her master’s degree in school counseling in 2010 and spent several years working in elementary and middle school settings before transitioning to the high school level. Ready for a new change, she made the switch to the high school to focus more on academics and post-secondary planning. Since arriving at KHS, she has brought her strong connections with students, positive energy, and middle school experience to the counseling department, making a smooth and impactful transition.
Before becoming a high school counselor, Strunz spent several years working with younger students, where her primary focus was on social and emotional development. Strunz describes what drew her to middle school by saying, “The energy of the students drew me to counseling at this level because they were still young, but also becoming adults at the same time.” One of her favorite aspects of middle school counseling was running lunch groups, which allowed her to build closer relationships with her students.
After years of being a counselor at PRM, Strunz decided to continue her work at the local high school. “I’ve worked in middle school for so long. I was just ready for the next challenge.” But when she moved to the high school, Strunz felt like a typical freshman on their first day. “I felt like I was starting all over again in the counseling field in high school,” she said.
Despite the adjustment, Strunz said that the support of the KHS counseling team made the transition easier. “I was always encouraged to ask questions, even if I felt I was annoying everyone,” she said. “The best counselors are still asking questions because we don’t have all the answers.”
Strunz’s impact has continued to be felt by students, especially those who had previously worked with her in middle school. Freshman Nicole Kates, who had Strunz as a middle school counselor, said her guidance continued to be helpful in high school. “When we had to pick classes for freshman year, she helped me decide on the classes that would be the best fit for me and challenge me.”
Kates also described Strunz as someone easy to talk to and supportive. “She just feels like a friend. She is so comforting to talk to, which is good because it’s hard to find someone you are comfortable with. She makes you feel important no matter what you’re going through, and gives good advice.”
Fellow counselor Lauren Biggins said that Strunz has fit seamlessly into the counseling department and brought a new perspective to the team. “She achieved everything that I would hope a high school counselor would be and more. She has brightened our department, and she always sees the best in every student and staff member,” Biggins said.
Biggins also noted that Strunz’s experience at the middle school has been very beneficial at KHS. Strunz worked with many students before they entered KHS, and because of this, she has a deeper understanding of their backgrounds and challenges. “She’s seen them grow and develop so much, so she knows a little bit more about who they are and who they’ve become,” Biggins said.
For Strunz, the best part of being a counselor at the high school is working with the students. She especially enjoys helping seniors through the college application process and celebrating their successes, something which she did not get to do in middle school. “It makes me very happy when my seniors come in here and let me know about their acceptances,” she said.
As she continues her career at KHS, Strunz hopes to expand opportunities for lunch groups and remain a trusted resource for students. While her responsibilities may have changed, her commitment to helping students feel supported, confident, and prepared for the future remains the same.
