Lincoln, NE - Kara Hahn, School Counselor at Jefferson Elementary School in North Platte, NE, was named the 2023 Nebraska School Counselor of the Year at a formal dinner at the Embassy Suites in Lincoln on Thursday, February 23, 2023. The dinner recognized six outstanding school counselors from across the state in a room filled with family, friends and dignitaries. Mrs. Hahn was introduced to attendees prior to the meal as a Finalist for the 2023 School Counselor of the Year by Mr. Jeff Ellsworth, Principal of Jefferson Elementary School. After dinner, Mrs. Hahn was announced as the 2023 School Counselor of the Year and received her award from Bethany Seehusen, Chair of the Nebraska School Counselor Association Governing Board and Doug Hauserman, Executive Director of the Nebraska School Counselor Association. Mrs. Hahn then delivered a brief acceptance speech.
Other honorees included finalist Julie McNamara of Daniel J. Gross Catholic High School in Omaha; finalist Julie Williams of Millard Central Middle School in the Millard Public Schools; semi-finalist Ashley De Los Santos of Gering High School; semi-finalist Stefanie Lorenzen of Russell Middle School in the Millard Pubic Schools; semi-finalist Megan West of Holy Name School in Omaha.
All six honorees have successfully implemented a comprehensive school counseling program based off the American School Counselor Association National Model. Mrs. Hahn's application stood out for her use of data to identify students who were at risk and implementing small groups addressing topics that included: appropriate student behavior, a positive mindset, resiliency and emotional regulation to help these students succeed both academically and behaviorally at school. Kara's success during the 2021-2022 school year led her to continue the same interventions this school year.
As the 2023 Nebraska School Counselor of the Year, Mrs. Hahn will represent Nebraska in the American School Counselor Association's National School of the Year contest. As such, she will be invited to attend the American School Counselor Association's School Counselor of the Year Gala in February of 2024. The Nebraska School Counselor Association presented Mrs. Hahn with a $500 stipend at the dinner to cover expenses not covered by the American School Counselor Association for her to attend the School Counselor of the Year Gala in Washington, DC.
"To say we are elated for Mrs. Hahn is a complete understatement." Dr. Rhodes describes Mrs. Hahn as an invaluable North Platte Public Schools team member. "Mrs. Hahn exemplifies character with a student-centered approach to educational principles." Rhodes added, "Mrs. Hahn shares a caring attitude with everyone she interacts with. She is never afraid to step in and assist when others are in need."