Hope Carlson
High School Counselor
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology and Human Services, Buena Vista University; Master of Science, Professional School Counseling, Buena Vista University
Hope Carlson started her career as an educator when she joined Iowa Connections Academy in 2020. She is a counselor for students in grades 9–12.
Why She Became a Counselor
According to Ms. Carlson, “I grew up in a family of educators and always knew that one day I would follow in their footsteps. My grandmother was a school counselor for many years, and she inspired me to go into the profession.
“I enjoy helping students plan for the future and being able to provide them with the skills they need to be successful. I love that I’m able to build relationships with students and families in a virtual environment.”
The Online School Experience at Iowa Connections Academy
According to Ms. Carlson, this school “provides students with the ability to [make progress] on their coursework when it fits their schedule, while still providing them with a quality education.”
Message for Families Considering Online School
If there’s one thing Ms. Carlson would tell parents thinking of enrolling their child here, it would be that “Iowa Connections Academy offers a flexible learning environment.” This not only enables students to learn at their own pace, but it also allows them to pursue their extracurricular interests and passions.
It’s really cool to be able to interact with [students] in person and see how excited they are to be at in-person events. Iowa Connections Academy has an abundance of resources, helpful faces, and more.
— Ms. Carlson
Ms. Carlson’s Personal Interests
“I enjoy weightlifting, listening to podcasts, and spending time outdoors,” reports Ms. Carlson.