Stenbeck joins NRHEG as intern

Sheridan Stenbeck, 25, is serving a school-year internship with the counseling department at NRHEG Secondary School. The internship is a requirement she must meet to earn a counseling license in the state of Minnesota. A 2018 graduate of Forest Lake High School, she earned an undergraduate degree in psychology from the College of St. Benedict and a master’s degree in school counseling from St. John’s University.

 

NRHEG school counselor Liz Stiernagle says a year-long internship makes sense for a school counselor because the tasks and expectations change as the year progresses. Counselors meet with groups ranging in size from entire grades–for example during course registration or special events–to single individuals.

 

“The goal,” says Stiernagle, “will be for her to lead one-to-one student meetings, facilitate any classroom work or activities that need to be done. Additionally, the counseling position has different job duties throughout the year so it will take the full school year to encompass all that needs to be done in our district as a school counselor.

 

“Sheridan works alongside me. Therefore, she will be part of the National Honor Society programming this school year.” The NHS Induction ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6.

 

“Any of my assigned programming, duties, or activities, she will be right alongside me participating,” says Stiernagle, suggesting that the internship is helpful in “building confidence and knowledge regarding what needs to be done and how to handle different situations. It allows the intern hands-on experience, networking opportunities, and a whole lot of fun!”

 

Stenbeck is present at the school every weekday morning but Tuesday, and puts in between 16 and 20 hours each week, and meets with students in grades 6 to 12. Because the internship is unpaid, she says, she also works about 40 hours a week as a case manager for Meridian Behavioral Health; the company offers services associated with foster care, addiction treatment, supporting the elderly, and mental health.

 

She claims the 60-hour weeks are not a problem. “I love my job at the school, in fact I don’t get into classes enough,” she observes. 

 

Stiernagle says the internship is working out well for all concerned; “She has already built good relationships with students,” she comments. “Students are eager to talk with her and get to know her.”

 

Good personality traits for a counselor, Stiernagle summarizes, are to be approachable, empathetic, accountable, organized, flexible, and self-motivated.

 

After Stenbeck and her husband Cody married on August 18, the couple moved to Albert Lea. Cody, an electrician, has a job there; for now, the other members of their family are black labs Joey and Kona, and  their cat.

 

Prior to the move, Stenbeck had begun reaching out to area schools regarding a possible internship hoping for a few responses; the most prompt and straightforward reply came from NRHEG’s Stiernagle. 

 

“Liz responded she would love to have me,” Stenbeck recalls. Other replies were more complicated, including phrases like, “If you want to intern here, you need to contact this person, then call this other person.

 

“With NRHEG there were no complications, just a smooth transition in,” says Stenbeck cheerfully.

 

When asked whether the challenges of working in a school setting are discouraging, her answer is a definite no: “My passion is with school counseling and being with kids,” she says.

Regarding the future she shares with husband Cody, Stenbeck says the couple would like to have two children someday, but have given themselves some time as their lives and careers settle into place.