A Year in the Life of a School Counselor

Dr. Kim Mitchell is a veteran educator, school counseling leader, author, and national speaker with more than 20 years of experience in public education. Throughout her career, she has served as a classroom teacher, school counselor, and district leader, with one consistent mission: helping students succeed and equipping school counselors to lead strong, intentional programs that make a difference.

As the Counseling Services Coordinator for Berkeley County School District, Dr. Mitchell provides leadership, professional development, and support to more than 100 school counselors. She is also an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Counselor Education at Sacred Heart University, where she helps prepare the next generation of school counseling professionals.

Dr. Mitchell has presented nationally and regionally for organizations including the American School Counselor Association, Counselors for Social Justice, the Palmetto State School Counselor Association, and the Georgia School Counselor Association. She was also selected as one of eleven National School Counseling Fellows with the Center for Equity in Postsecondary Attainment at San Diego State University, where her work focuses on strengthening postsecondary advising and helping remove barriers that stand between students and their future opportunities.

Her upcoming book, A Year in the Life of a School Counselor: Tips, Tools, and Tales from the First-Year Journey, brings together the lessons, practical strategies, and stories she has gathered throughout her career. Written with the heart of a counselor and the perspective of a leader, the book is designed to help new and seasoned school counselors navigate the realities of the profession with greater confidence, purpose, and intention.

Beyond her professional work, Dr. Mitchell is deeply grounded in faith, family, and service. She and her husband, Dexter, are proud parents of four adult children—Kayla, Dexter II, Taylor, and Daniel. Together, they have built a life centered on faith, education, leadership, and service to others.

Whether she is supporting counselors, teaching future professionals, speaking to educators, conducting research, or sharing lessons from her own journey, Dr. Mitchell remains committed to one simple belief: when school counselors are equipped, empowered, and intentional, students are better positioned to thrive.