Our Dedicated Advising Model

NV: I’d previously spent 15 years in higher education in enrollment, working across recruitment, admissions, and financial aid, and during that time I saw how much students needed one-on-one help with postsecondary planning. Too many students arrive on campus unprepared without a solid understanding of their options, financial aid, or what they wanted to study. I realized students need help navigating these decisions and opportunities well before they graduate from high school.

KJ: I spent 15 years as a high school counselor at Carl Junction but the reality is, counselors are often overloaded with so many responsibilities that there isn’t enough time to give that kind of focused guidance to every student. rootEd allows me to give students the dedicated time and support I always wished I could provide as a counselor. When I learned about rootEd, it immediately resonated with me because it fills that gap.

NV: Because we live in a small community, opportunities can feel limited, and it is important to help students see beyond what’s right in front of them. I work to connect them with local workforce programs, job shadow experiences, trade and technical school options, and visits from local organizations. I help them explore careers they may not have considered and guide them in creating actionable steps toward those paths.  We’ve also seen great outcomes from our on-campus certification programs, including welding, hospitality, and law enforcement, which give students hands-on experience, and our partners can help ensure they can put those skills to work locally. For example, our welding certification program has opened doors for students to step directly into high-paying jobs at the Port of Brownsville and LNG companies. Some graduates are already earning $45–$65 an hour straight out of high school.

KJ: I start with intentional, one-on-one conversations with students about their strengths, skills, and long-term goals, and work with them to identify their ideal careers and then find opportunities for them to job shadow in those fields. I also invite the Joplin Job Center to visit our school twice each year for individual appointments with seniors who are workforce-bound. During those appointments, seniors have their résumés reviewed, set up appointments for job searches, and practice job interview questions. These experiences help students confirm their interests, gain insight into the skills required, and make valuable connections in our local community.

NV: I love the strong sense of connection and support from living and working in a rural community. What makes rootEd powerful in small rural communities like ours is that word of mouth travels fast. Parents talk to other parents, local employers – some of whom are parents – engage our students in internships, and younger siblings follow in their brothers’ and sisters’ footsteps. Each success story fuels the next.

KJ: Growing up here, I experienced firsthand the pride people take in their town and the value of close relationships, which carries over into our schools. By providing these connections and resources, I help students overcome barriers that might otherwise limit their postsecondary options and ensure they know that a successful future is achievable, even from a rural town like ours.