At LHS you’re always seeing new faces, and one of them is new counselor Allison Kerr. Growing up in Jefferson City, Mo., she attended a private college-prep Catholic school from kindergarten to 12th grade.
Although her high school experience was far from perfect, it inspired her to want to help students through student support.
“I struggled at times and wasn’t deeply involved in activities — but those experiences shaped my passion for student support,” said Kerr.
Then she moved all the way to Boise State University a whopping 1,500 miles away.
“Boise State University gave me the opportunity to redefine myself, grow in confidence and discover my purpose,”said Kerr.
This journey ultimately led her to education and school counseling, where she found a calling in helping students build tools for both academic and personal success.
However, Kerr was originally working as a bridal consultant, starting during her college BSU and eventually moving to the Portland area to work as a bridal consultant lead.
The pandemic caused her to shift towards education, and she worked through some Vancouver schools in special education and later as a student advocate.
Continuing her focus on guidance and counseling in 2023, she moved to Chicago to work as a registered behavior technician, while earning a post-masters graduate certificate in applied behavior analysis.
Then she returned to the Portland area and began working school counseling internships for a school counseling post-masters graduate certificate before arriving at LHS as the brand new counselor.
During Kerr’s day-to-day life, she often starts mornings with pilates while walking with her golden retriever to wind down in the evenings. Kerr still has a love for the bridal industry, along with other hobbies such as consulting, modeling, designing, creating and traveling. Kerr is also planning her own wedding with her fiance, and anticipating seeing family and friends.
She’s thrilled at the opportunity to help and work with high school students at LHS.
“I believe this stage of life is incredibly pivotal,” Kerr states “High school is filled with major milestones, pres-
sures and decisions about the future.”
She hopes to be the supportive, steady presence for students that she once wished she had — someone helping students ease stress, build confidence, and guiding students into their successful futures.
