Educational Counseling Bio

Miss Kristi A. Orchard

Kristi A. Orchard was born and raised in Payson, Utah and is a graduate of Payson Sr. High School where she was involved in academics, clubs, student government and athletics. Kristi earned her BS degree from Brigham Young University Idaho in Sociology/ Criminology. She also participated in Presidential Student Leadership, AWS, NSO, ASA, and was one of the founders of the Native American Club. Kristi will be graduating May 1, 2010 with an MS in Educational Counseling.

Kristi worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) through High School, at the Police Department through College and as a Teacher at the Missionary Training Center (MTC) through Graduate School. Kristi Previously transferred to Karl G. Maeser Prep Academy from Provo High School. She is currently a fulltime counselor as well as a Why Try Instructor and Assistant Girls Basketball Coach at Maeser Prep.

Kristi participates in the following organizations: RAMACAC, USCA, ASCA, ASA, Military Child Education Coalition, UACTE and Collegeboard.

What a pain in the neck!

SO, hopefully this was my last neck surgery. On friday I went in to have yet another neck surgery. Prayers were answered though and the surgery went very well. So well in fact that I didn't take any medicine and by Sunday afternoon I was down for the count and that continued through Monday. I can't believe how much rest I have gotten. It is so good for me :) Things should be back to normal for me tomorrow. Work as usual and hopefully I can get back into the swing of things right away. I need to build up my neck muscles so that I can try surfing- baja is less than a month away! I love spring break!!!!!

Contracts, Opportunities, and New Beginings

I just signed a contract at Karl G. Maeser Prep. Academy as their new Educational Guidance Counselor. I am so excited. I have loved my time there thus far and am excited for the future. Next year I will be the counselor for grades 7-9th. We will be in a new building which will be identical to the Karl G. Maeser building on BYU campus. The School will be located on 1600 in Orem but is technically on the border of Orem and Lindon. My school will be claiming Lindon as their home.
I am also looking to buy a house right now and the process is a little bit slower than I thought that it would be. There is a house I really like in Orem right by where the new school is being built. I need it to come down just a little bit more before I make an offer. Its a tri-level 5 bedroom, two bathroom, sun-room, deck, patio, two car garage, basketball court beautiful yard opportunity. so we will see what happens. Keep your fingers crossed.
As for other opportunities, I have been conducting research with some BYU professors and my co-counselor at Maeser Prep. It has been going very well and I will be presenting the info at the Utah/National ACT Conference in March and also the USCA/UACTE Conference in June. Also, my co-counselor is going to Afganistan and so I am filling in for him on the Utah ACT board as well as the USCA board while he is gone. Also in June at the USCA/UACTE Conference I will be conducting a presentation for Utah Charter School Counselors. This presentation will deal with crisis plans, networking as well as forming a solid representation of Charter School Counselors. I started a blog called Charter Schools in Action. This blog is to help all Utah School Counselors network with one another and help each other with Guidance Curriculum. In June we hope to nominate a Pres, VP and Secretary so that we then can take turns attending the State Charter School Meetings.
I take the Praxis on March 13th and I am scared to death. I really hope that I pass! I am just about done with School now. I graduate May1, 2010. I still have one more class to take and then I am finished with my masters. I went to my grad fair this week and took my mom with me and she cried when they brought out my hood. I can't believe graduation day is within reach. What a great new beginning I have ahead of me.

BIGGEST NEW DEVELOPMENT

As some of you have already heard, I have transfered schools for my internship. I was wroking at Provo High School which I loved, but it was not a paid internship. While attending a Counseling Conference I met the school counselor at Karl G. Maeser and was very impressed. We later got in contact and after being invited to apply for a paid internship, I was offered the position.

Karl G. Maeser is an amazing opportunity. I have loved my time there so far! The students, faculty, parents, board and staff are all incredible people to associate with! The School is currently located in Lindon, Utah. The BIG Christmas present this years for the school was the announcement of the new building that will be completed by next fall. The school currently has grades 9-12 but next year will be enrolling 7-12. I am so excited to be apart of such an amazing program. School is based on a Socratic learning system which is an amazing way for the students to learn and develop.

I know that God is truly putting opprtunities and people in my path to bless my life- Karl Maeser being one of those tender mercies. It's an exciting time for me in the development of my career and my training as a School Counselor.

"Fall" N 2 the CRAZE

I'm sure that most of you are most curious about Dylan. Dylan and I met at a conference for School Counselors. He recently moved here to Utah and currently is working in Utah County. I laugh everytime I think back to his first smooth introductory lines at that conference! If you would like to hear the story I would be more than happy to share it with you but to be honest- he tells it the best!

We've been dating for a couple months now and are enjoying the life of School Counseling and adventure! Since we have met we have traveled to Idaho, Vegas, San Diego, and Jackson Hole. He likes to be on the move and see new things as I do- so that makes it fun. If you are having a hard time finding me at home and you know I am not at work then I am usually with Dylan either on a road trip, at borders, hangin' with fam, or chillin' at his place watchin' a movie. It's been fun livin' the life and sharing similar interests, hobbies and talents.

Thats us in a nut shell :)

Long Time Comin'

Well, Since my trip to Yellowstone, my life has really gotten busy. When I got back I started my internship at Provo High School, was still working at the MTC, still doubled up on classes, and I started dating someone. Needless to say my fall flew by. I'm now getting ready for the new year a little older now, more tired, but so excited for what 2010 has in store!

Yellowstone Fever

A bunch of us all got together and decided to take a last minute road trip through Yellowstone park. We camped, we hiked, we went to a meladrama, big judds, swam in hot springs, and saw all the beautiful sights and animals.

Again we had a diverse group of people with us which made it all the more interesting. We took two different cars and went and saw the sights in Idaho Falls and Rexburg. I am so blessed to have such great friends!