Parents, the press, administrators and the general public often wonder just what it is that school counselors do on a daily basis. Gone are the days of school counselors sitting in their office simply handing out college applications, making schedule changes for students who want to drop a class or meeting with the troublemakers in the school. Today's school counselors are vital members of the educational team. They help all students in the areas of academic achievement, personal/social, and career development, ensuring today's students become the productive, well-adjusted adults of tomorrow..
Jenny Larson is the counselor for students in grades K-2. She came to Hermantown Community Schools through a grant position in 2008 and then transitioned to the full time Counselor position in 2009.
Phone: 218-626-6104
Email: jlarson@isd700.org
Degrees and Certifications:
Bachelor of Applied Arts, Secondary Social Studies Education, Emphasis-Psychology, University of Minnesota Duluth, December 2003
MSE Counseling, UW-Superior, December 2006
Kelsey Olin is the counselor for students in grades 3-4. She arrived as the Middle School Counselor in August of 2016 and transitioned to the Elementary School in 2023.
Phone: 218-626-6110
Email: kolin@isd700.org
Degrees and Certifications:
BS Social Work from UW-Superior, 2009
MSE School Counseling from UW-River Falls, 2015
Natalia Benson is the counselor for middle school students with last names beginning with A-K. She arrived as the Middle School Counselor in August of 2023.
Phone: 218-626-6203
Email: nbenson@isd700.org
Degrees and Certifications:
BA Psychology from College of St. Scholastica, 2020
MS School Counseling and Preventative Mental Health from Creighton, 2023
Ashley Braun is the counselor for middle school students with last names beginning with L-Z. She arrived as the Elementary/Middle School Counselor in August of 2020 and transitioned to the Middle School full time in 2023.
Phone: 218-626-6253
Email: abraun@isd700.org
Degrees and Certifications:
BA from University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
MSE School Counseling from UW-River Falls, 2012
Charles Pillsbury is the counselor for students in grades 9-12 with last names beginning with A-K. He joined the Hermantown High School team in the fall of 2022.
Phone: 218-626-6303
Email: cpillsbury@isd700.org
Degrees and Certifications:
MA in Professional School Counseling (K-12), Minnesota State University, Mankato, 2015
BA in Criminology, University of Minnesota-Duluth, 2012
David Thompson is the counselor for students in grades 9-12 with last names beginning with L-Z. He began his work as a Licensed School Counselor for grades 9-12 in 1994. He has been the Boys' Head Varsity Soccer Coach since the fall of 2003 and has served as the Senior Class Advisor, Junior Rotarian Advisor, and leads the Hermantown Community School District Crisis Team.
Phone: 218-626-6304
Email: dthompson@isd700.org
Degrees and Certifications:
MA in Educational and Counseling Psychology, University of Minnesota-Duluth, 1992
BA in Psychology and Communications, University of Minnesota-Duluth, 1989
