Mountain Range Welcomes Our New Student Counselor

By Adali V.

Mountain Range High School is thrilled to introduce Rae Armijo as its new student counselor. With a strong commitment to student well being and a passion for mental health advocacy, Armijo is poised to make a significant impact on the school community. Armijo’s path to school counseling was driven by a desire to support young people. “I was pretty impressed and thankful for the interactions that I had between the counselors and seeing how much they were able to help my kiddos, and so I went to get my school counseling license.” She stated. With a Master’s degree in School Counseling and several relevant certifications, Rae is well prepared to tackle the diverse needs of her students. 

From the outset, Armijo has made it clear that her office is a place of comfort. “She shows her commitment by constantly making an effort to reach out to even those who don’t necessarily ask for it.” noted Senior Jade D. Her clear and kind communication reassures students that she is there to help, not to judge. “I think just being able to look at the kid as a whole and really fully understanding why they could be behaving the way they are is really important.” Armijo emphasized. 

Armijo understands that many students may hesitate to seek help. “Building trust is essential,” she explained. Her approach includes checking in with students regularly and helping them navigate tough times. “Many students say they feel calmer and more comfortable after talking with her,” principal Tiffany Hansen shared. Armijo also encourages self care and emphasizes the importance of discussing feelings openly. In her previous role, Armijo successfully supported students facing various challenges. “I was working with some middle schoolers and I had someone who had told me about some of the things that they were facing," she recalled. Her calm and patient demeanor allows her to navigate tense situations effectively, ensuring that students feel heard and respected. Armijo believes collaboration is key to student success. “On the academic side, we’re looking at ways that we can provide more support for our seniors.” she said. “I’m hoping we can provide more things for students to actually complete college applications.” Her proactive approach includes organizing trips to local colleges with free transportation, helping students explore their future opportunities. 

As she settles into her new role, Armijo has ambitious goals for the counseling program. “First of all, I’m very thankful to be a part of this team.” she stated. “I think some goals that we’ve kind of talked about as a team is just being able to provide more support for students.” Her fresh energy and innovative ideas, drawn from her past experiences, will help the counseling team grow and adapt to the evolving needs of students. 

Armijo values the diverse backgrounds of her students. “In my old work spaces I worked with families and teachers from all over the world.” she noted. Her open mindedness fosters an environment where different perspectives are respected and valued. “I feel like it’s important to connect with kids in different aspects like asking questions about cultural preferences, what are their gender identities, and things like that.” Armijo explained. Armijo’s colleagues have already noted her positive impact on the school. “She’s already fitting in so well! Her positive attitude and caring nature match the welcoming and supportive vibe we have at Mountain Range,” observed the assistant principal Troy Lohmeyer. “She’s an amazing listener, super organized, and always focused on helping students reach their goals.” 

As Rae Armijo begins this new chapter at Mountain Range High School, the community is excited to see her vision come to life. WIth her dedication to student well being and proactive approach to counseling, Armijo is ready to make a lasting difference. “Because of my life experiences I feel like I’ve seen people’s paths differently”, she emphasized. “I’ve seen a lot of different family backgrounds and also just having worked with college life as well has made me feel like I met people from all kinds of different places.” 

Armijo’s passion for counseling, combined with her commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive space, makes her a valuable addition to the Mountain Range High School family. The future looks bright with Armijo guiding students towards success both in and out of the classroom.