School Counseling

Areas of Support

School counselor support services and professional learning are provided by Heartland AEA through multiple opportunities:

  • School counselors participate in a needs assessment every two years to determine professional learning needs, and every effort is made to match professional learning to those needs.
  • Most importantly, counselors are encouraged to meet on an ongoing basis throughout the year to study their current plans, analyze data and align curriculum.
  • The Transformed School Counselor Video explores the role of the transformed school counselor and how they could and should be used in the school setting.
  • A school counseling email group is maintained to communicate resources and supports.

Email Group

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

Download the Flyer

Heartland AEA School Counseling Supports

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’ve helped several districts evaluate their data and systems to further promote postsecondary success.

School Counseling