This year, the guidance counseling team is welcoming a new member, Ms. Vicki Haas. 

Haas received her undergraduate degree in psychology from Drake University and her Masters in School Counseling from Lewis University. She started her career at an all-girls school in her hometown of Chicago. She has also worked in public schools as well as internationally. “I’ve kind of done it all,” Haas said. 

Haas spent five years of her career as a high school counselor at an international school in Bangkok, Thailand, working with students from all over the world. Meeting with kids from Chile, Germany, New Zealand, and numerous other countries gave her a fresh perspective. “It was a fantastic experience that really helped me grow professionally and to be more global in my counseling aspects,” Haas said. 

Haas is taking what she learned from her past professional experiences to BSM. From all the time she spent abroad, she wants to bring a global perspective to things. “Things are really good here, and I don’t necessarily need to change things, but I think throwing in different ideas never hurts,” Haas said. 

Her new job at BSM differs from her past experiences because she has always been a solo counselor. Now that she is on a counseling team, she has really enjoyed seeing the different perspectives and dynamics that counselors have with their students. BSM is also different from her past jobs because of the students she is working with. “The BSM students are like no other. I feel like you guys are really motivated, driven for success, and just go after things,” Haas said. 

Haas enjoys all the different parts of being a counselor, but her favorite piece is college counseling. “I love talking to seniors and dreaming big with them and figuring out what their goals are after high school,” Haas said.