Mission Statement:
The mission of the Olympia High School Counselor Program is to provide counseling services which will foster personal and social growth, assist in educational and career planning, and promote healthy decision making in order for students to reach their full potential in the future.
BIOGRAPHIES AND CONTACTS
Danise Ackelson A-C, 596-7029
Counseling Department Chair
At OHS since: 1992
Began profession as teacher: 1976
Degrees: BS 1974 - Mississippi University for Women
MA 1979 Pacific Lutheran University
M.Ed. 1987 University of Puget Sound
Employment History:
1976 - Jefferson Middle School - Physical Education Instructor and
Counselor 1992 Olympia High School - Coached Gymnastics, and Dance and
Drill
1992 – Present Olympia High School Counselor
Barbara Amidon D-Hi, 596-7030
AT OHS since 1996
Began as a counselor: 1988
Degrees: BA Language Arts/Communication 1977 Central Washington
University M.Ed. Counseling Psychology 1992 Washington State University
Employment History:
1977-79 Retail Store Manager (Seattle)
1979-1983 Edgemont Junior High. Puyallup School District (English,
Modified English)
1985-1992 Washington Middle School - OSD (Home & Family, Gifted Ed, 7th
grade Block,, Speech, Newspaper, Science, Counselor )
1992-1996 Reeves Middle School (Counselor)
Kim Reykdal Hj-Ma, 596-7033
At OHS since 2006
Began as a counselor: 1999
Degrees: BA Social Studies and BA in History, 1994 Washington State
University Teacher Certification, 1994 Washington State University M.
Ed in School Counseling, 1999 University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill
Employment History: 1994-1997 History and Psychology Teacher at Battle Ground High School 1999-2001 Counselor at Yelm High School 2001-2004 Counselor at Capital High School 2004-2006 .6 FTE Counselor at Tumwater High School 2006 – Present Counselor at Olympia High School
Dave Forrester Mb-R, 596-7032
At OHS since 2005
Began as a counselor: 2005
Degrees: BS 1990/Science Degree, University of Puget Sound:
Teacher Certification, 1994, Saint Martin’s College: M. Ed 2000,
Seattle University, School Counseling
Employment History:
1994-2000 New Market Vocational Skills Center, Tumwater WA
Team Leader, Teacher – Learning Opportunity Center
2000-2002 New Market Vocational Skills Center, Tumwater WA
Reading Specialist, Teacher
2002-2006 New Market Vocational Skills Center, Tumwater WA
Dean of Students
2006 – Present Olympia High School Counselor
Brian Wentz S-Z, 596-7031
At OHS since 2001
Began as a counselor: 1983
Degrees: BA 1981 Western Washington University,
M.Ed 1983 Western Washington University
Employment History:
1983 West Valley High School, Yakima. Counselor
1986 Educational Specialist - Deaconess Hospital Inpatient Treatment
Center, Group Therapist
1987-1998 North Thurston School District - counselor
1998-2000 Athens Greece, American International School counselor (Full
International Baccalaureate Academy)
2000-2001 Yelm Community Schools - Yelm High School counselor
2001- Present Olympia High School Counselor
Vicki Ames, Registrar 596-7035
At OHS Since: 1985
Began Profession: 1973
Degrees Held: Secretarial Science Degree, Centralia College, 1972
Employment History:
Para Pro for Traffic safety 11 years
Attendance Office 3 year and Registrar from April 1999
Currently: Registrar for OHS
Cathy Williams, Career Specialist 596-7034
At
OHS Since: 1997 Began Profession: 1997 Degrees Held: B.S. in Education
1971(Summa Cum Laude), University of Southern California
Employment History:
Currently: Career and College Advising in the Career Center
at OHS