The program makes at least $40,000 available to every school in Minnesota specifically to hire and retain school counselors. Thanks to this boost in funding, students who need it can get one-on-one attention and guidance both educationally and behaviorally, according to New Ulm Middle School Principal Michelle Miller. She said, without it, the program would not have survived.

Miller said the program started last school year. With some students falling through the cracks, the Student Success program was conceived as a way to help students in multiple areas.

“We were looking to find ways to help our students both with behaviors and academics,” Miller said. “We’re looking at what we could do beyond what we already had in place. Having one person who would be dedicated to a group of students who need additional support in those areas.”

Miller said the school has two counselors, but they are focused on solely mental health and emotional well-being. They needed someone who could focus both on student’s behaviors, academics, and how they’re intertwined.

Student Success coach Christina Skoglund works one on one with a student at New Ulm Middle School. She said her work is individualized, ensuring each student gets the unique support they need.

Student Success Coach Christine Skoglund works with 25 students regularly. She interacts with teachers to share information and guidance, and with parents to establish school-to-home communication and updates on student behavior.

Students in the program work toward daily and weekly goals, which they receive rewards for upon completion. Breaks are also given when students need them. Miller said this program has been vital in bringing success to students who had struggled.

“We’ve been fortunate to have this role,” she said. “We have seen a lot of students have more success than they would if they didn’t have a person to connect and work with daily. If we did not have this position, it’d be left up to the general ed teachers to provide the support. It’s great to have someone who can support the students at a deeper level.”

Skoglund said she has experienced great success with her students. With both individual and group discussions, she said her students have gotten through situations they wouldn’t have in a typical school day. Students have also learned effective coping mechanisms to identify behavioral problems and handle them without outside help.

Many of the program’s students have problems unique to them. With plenty of one-on-one time available to students, Skoglund said the program is well suited to this outcome. One issue she has seen across the student body is the rampant rise of social media.

“They have so much information coming at them so fast,” she said. “With relationships, friends, and family, social media and texting is an overall general problem. [That problem is] in today’s society, I’m sure we’re not the only ones dealing with that.”

With initial results providing data and reactions exceeding expectations, Miller said the plan is to keep students succeeding.

“Our goal is to build upon what we are already doing,” Skoglund said. “Every year we take a look at the success of our programs. We find areas that we want to improve in, we know are working well, and continue to go in a positive direction. We would like to continue this as long as we can.”