Bellefontaine City Schools is spotlighting its counselors during National School Counseling Week (February 6th-10th).

BCS school counselors play a vital role in the education of our students.

Counselors are certified/licensed educators with advanced training who help students succeed by providing many services, including social emotional learning, academic strategies, and goal setting. Counselors also collaborate with families, teachers, and community agencies, mediate conflicts, assist with college, job, and scholarship applications, and even offer short-term counseling.

Bellefontaine City Schools is fortunate to have committed and experienced counselors.

BCS salutes counselors Lindsey Maus, Eric Hamm, Julie Kurtz, Shawn Congleton, Rebecca O’Rielley, Shalie Logan, Paula Shaw, and Beth Ramsey.

Today, we’re celebrating the work of Julie Kurtz and Shawn Congleton.

Name: Julie Kurtz

Title: Bellefontaine Middle School Counselor

Years of experience: 11 years at BMS, 14 years in education

Why you enjoy working at BCS: I love our students! We have a real opportunity to make an impact in their lives, and, in turn, in our community.

What you love doing outside of school: I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and traveling.

Name: Shawn Congleton

Title: Bellefontaine Middle School Counselor

Years of experience: 11 years as a school counselor, 7 years as an administrative assistant

Why you enjoy working at BCS: Bellefontaine reminds me so much of many of the schools I grew up in. Everyone is so positive and supportive. It’s a difficult place for students to get lost or do poorly. The staff really cares about students and does an amazing job!

What you love doing outside of school: I love to travel with my family, particularly to warm climates in the southwest. We drive most of the time and I love to listen to good classic rock music driving down the highway.

Photos: Julie Kurtz and Shawn Congleton