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Belle Plaine counselor featured in college newsletter
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BELLE PLAINE — The new counselor at Belle Plaine High School is featured in the Kirkwood Benton County Winter 2026 newsletter.
“Although this is my first year in Belle Plaine and my first year as a school counselor, I anticipate my role will be to implement a comprehensive school counseling program to improve all students' academic, personal, and career outcomes,” said Mckenna Evans in the newsletter.
“I have worked in education for two rewarding and memorable years,” Evans said. “I worked for a year and a half as a paraeducator in the Cedar Falls School District, and I spent a few months in the role of Student Success Coordinator at Central Lee High School before accepting my first school counseling position for the 2025-2026 school year.”
Evans said her favorite part of working with students is building relationships with them and getting to know each individual’s personality and strengths.
Evans said she’s been blessed to witness a lot of growth. She’s seen students “stepping more into themselves,” she said. “It is so rewarding and so fun to work with students.”
Evans is a proponent of dual credit classes for high school students. “Taking college credit courses in high school can be a huge asset to students when done the right way,” she said.
“College courses often require students to employ advanced thinking, time management strategies and communication and advocacy skills, which helps prepare them better for whatever path they may have after high school,” said Evans in the newsletter.
“Students are exposed to college-level teaching and are held to college-level expectations, so they can get a taste of that experience while in a supportive environment.
“There is also, of course, the huge benefit of saving money while taking college courses in high school, which can ease the burden of financing a college education for many students,” Evans said.
Evans said she works hard and enjoys life all at the same time. She participated in a lot of activities in both high school and college and that has served her well.
