Guiding Kansas Kids- Hanna Mick

Tanner Colvin
Aug 10
2 min read

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rUsbOq0o2E

Hanna Mick is an elementary school counselor in Topeka who is passionate about helping students build the skills they need to succeed in school and in life. Originally from Herrington, Kansas, Hanna attended Kansas State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in advertising. After working in the advertising industry, she realized her passion was working with children and returned to education, eventually finding her calling in school counseling. She also works with the Kansas State Department of Education as a counselor leader consultant, helping school counselors across Kansas with professional development, resources, and support.

As a school counselor, Hanna takes a creative and proactive approach to helping students. She works with students academically, in career planning and through social-emotional learning. Among her innovative programs is Junior Coaches, which trains older students in conflict resolution and allows them to serve as peer leaders during elementary school recess. She has also helped develop Paws and Claws, a project-based learning program built around her school's therapy dog, Piper. Through projects like these, students develop leadership, communication, problem-solving, creativity and other skills that extend well beyond the classroom.

Hanna was named the Kansas School Counselor of the Year and went on to become a finalist for the American School Counselor Association’s National School Counselor of the Year. Her work also includes helping educators and students navigate the rapidly changing world of technology and artificial intelligence. Hanna believes schools have an important role in teaching students not only how to use technology, but how to think critically about the information they encounter. At the heart of her work is a simple philosophy: school counselors are there for every student, working alongside families and educators to help young people discover their strengths, explore possibilities and prepare for the future. Click to expand images