Our goal is to instill hope by preparing all students to excel in college, their career, and life!

Here at KSTM, we serve as student advocates and work to create a safe and caring learning environment. We are compassionate and committed to building positive relationships with students and families. We are willing to be an active member of the LIFE of the school.

School counselors are highly educated, professionally certified individuals who help students succeed in school and plan their career. An integral part of the total education system, school counselors help students form healthy goals, mindsets and behaviors. With the aid of a school counselor, students learn to develop effective collaboration and cooperation skills, to practice perseverance, to develop time management and study skills, and to learn self-motivation and self-direction habits. 

Middle school counselors work with students in the classroom, as well as individually and in small groups.

They focus on:

• Development of a personal learning plan
• Exploration of careers and post-secondary opportunities
• Self-awareness
• Interventions to support academic success
• Middle and high school transition
• Attendance support

Counselor collaboration with families continues to be critical to ensure students attend school regularly, stay on grade level and transition smoothly to high school.

School counselors support students in preparing for:

School/College (Academic Domain)

Through classroom curriculum, group activities and individual sessions, school counselors guide all students toward academic success and post-secondary education goals.

Work (Career Domain)

School counselors use many types of activities to introduce all students to a wide variety of careers. Interest inventories, guest speakers, field trips, job shadows and career fairs are some of the opportunities available to students.

Life (Social/Emotional Domain)

Students are sometimes challenged with the demands of school and life. Decision-making, conflict resolution, problem solving, and healthy relationships are some of the topics school counselors discuss with students.

The OPS School Counseling division provides a comprehensive, strengths-based program aligned with the American School Counselor Association National Model and the Nebraska Department of Education School Counseling Model. Counselors provide academic, career and personal/social support, as well as classroom guidance to all students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The program is designed to be both proactive and responsive to the unique needs of individual students. Each OPS student is assigned to a school counselor who monitors progress and provides necessary support. This may include information about extended learning opportunities, individual counseling, or referral services. Parents are encouraged to contact their student’s counselor for information and resources.

School Social Worker:

The Social Worker will promote and enhance the overall academic mission by providing services that strengthen home/school/community partnerships and alleviate barriers to learning. The Social Worker significantly contributes to the development of a healthy, safe and caring environment by advancing the understanding of the emotional and social development of children and the influences of family, community, and cultural differences on student success and by implementing effective intervention strategies. Integrated into all major functions are home, school, and community assimilation; diversity and cultural competence; dropout prevention; and adherence to federal and state statutes; professional development and practices and the National Association of Social Workers Code of Conduct.