Mentoring the Next Generation of School Counselors: Imperial County’s Induction Model
By: Lydia McNeiley
Hatching Results’ relationship with Imperial County spans over nearly a decade and reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the school counseling profession through data, leadership, and equity-centered practice. This partnership began with the foundational work of Dr. Trish Hatch and Danielle Duarte who collaborated with the Imperial County Office of Education (ICOE) to establish some of the county’s first comprehensive, data-driven school counseling programs. These early efforts helped cultivate a culture of innovation and accountability; one where school counselors were empowered to use data to demonstrate impact, advocate for students, and lead systemic change.
What began as pioneering training and consultation has grown into a sustainable system of leadership and support. Many of the school counselors who participated in those early initiatives are now stepping into leadership roles themselves, strengthening the profession across the county. Building on this legacy, Lydia McNeiley and Dr. Christina Tillery had the privilege of supporting the launch and continued implementation of ICOE’s School Counselor Induction Program (SCIP)—an initiative grounded in Imperial County’s vision and commitment to long-term school counselor development.
Central to this work is Rosa Nava, Coordinator of Pupil Services, whose leadership has been instrumental in shaping the program’s design and impact. Through her guidance and partnership with Hatching Results, the program has focused on developing confident, skilled school counselors prepared to lead data-informed programs and collaborate effectively with administrators.
Reflecting on the partnership, Rosa shared:
“With your guidance, mentorship, and advocacy, you have helped shape the profession here in Imperial County and supported the growth of 29 confident, skilled school counselors who will continue this work long after SCIP concludes.”
The School Counselor Induction Program was intentionally designed to strengthen school counselors’ leadership capacity, deepen data-informed practice, and foster meaningful partnerships with administrators. The program includes two cohorts, creating a layered and sustainable model of growth that supports continuous learning and leadership development across the county.
Cohort 1 launched during the 2024–2025 school year, during which participating school counselors:
Developed an Achievement Gap Plan that included a SMART goal aligned to school data
Implemented an intervention connected to their plan and collected outcome data
Designed and delivered a Flashlight Results Presentation at a countywide symposium, sharing outcomes, lessons learned, and implications for practice with administrators
During the 2025–2026 school year, Cohort 2 began and engaged in the same foundational work. At the same time, Cohort 1, now in its second year, expanded their systems-level leadership by:
Learning about, designing, and implementing an Annual Administrative Conference
Designing and facilitating a School Counseling Advisory Council
Across both cohorts, Flashlight Results Presentations highlighted data aligned with school improvement plans and district Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) goals, enabling school counselors to clearly articulate their impact and effectively advocate for their programs.
The significance of this work is now being recognized beyond Imperial County. Rosa Nava will be presenting on ICOE’s School Counselor Induction Program at the National School Counseling Leadership Conference (NSCLC) this February, alongside Denise Cabanilla, Director of Higher Education and Adult Learning (HEAL). Their presentation will highlight how intentional leadership, mentorship, and data-aligned practices can build sustainable school counselor induction systems and strengthen outcomes for students.
Why It Matters
This work was recently featured in ICOE’s monthly newsletter (pages 9–10), further highlighting its impact and reach. As the program gains national visibility through NSCLC, Imperial County’s efforts serve as a powerful example of how intentional investment in school counselors can lead to lasting, system-level change. We are honored to remain a partner in this important work and to support its continued impact in schools and communities.
“The ripple effect of this partnership extends beyond individual counselors—it strengthened systems, elevated the profession, and expanded what is possible for students across Imperial County.”
