Together for Students
The notion of “counseling” goes well beyond academics here at Visions – it’s care and compassion, influence and impact.
“The entire counseling team deserves a huge shout-out! Their dedication and commitment to student success, health, and wellness is apparent in the daily work they do,” says Counselor Ah Yang.
“As a large, collaborative counseling team, each of us brings something unique and valuable to the table,” adds Counselor Kiely Anderson. “We rely on one another, sharing ideas, experiences, and challenges to continuously explore ways to better support our students—both in meaningful, lasting ways and in the everyday moments that matter.”
Of course, our students and families aren’t the only ones who rely on our counselors – sometimes it’s the members of the team themselves who lean on one another for guidance.
“Our counseling team supports one another by always being there for each other – whether that’s through words of encouragement, positive feedback, collaborating on ideas and projects, or checking in with each other throughout the day,” shares Counselor Madeline Meniketti. “We always make sure to show up for one another and help each other when needed.”
“Everybody is always willing to step in and help with anything, and everybody has such a diverse set of knowledge,” adds Counselor Jen Nino. “We’re all an expert in something; regardless of what the situation is, somebody will always be there to bounce ideas off of and help.”
Overseeing this team is one of Counseling Program Mariah Ernst-Collins’ favorite part of the job, working with such an incredible team and within an organization that’s been changing student lives for over 25 years.
“Ultimately, my goal is to ensure that every student receives equitable access to the resources and guidance they need to thrive mentally, emotionally, and academically. And did I mention, I love supporting this amazing team of counselors and working with students!”
“Each [student] is unique with their own needs and challenges, some of which aren’t always met by traditional education systems. However, at Visions, we aren’t confined by the usual schedules, locations, or traditional structures. This gives us the freedom to tailor our approach to each student,” explains Counselor Rija Gorkhali. “With the wide variety of options we offer in virtual/in-person platforms, our students receive an education and enrichment experience that other institutions simply can’t match. Because we’re Visions, we make it happen.”