At Escuela de Guadalupe, the well-being of every student is a responsibility shared by teachers, staff, administrators, and school counselors. They work in harmony to create an academically challenging and emotionally supportive environment. Central to this holistic approach are Kira Colgan, LMFT, and Claudia Luna-Asturias, LCSW, Escuela’s two school counselors. Through their work—whether in individual counseling sessions, classroom lessons, or school-wide initiatives—they help to ensure that students feel seen, supported, and empowered every day.
Both professionals are available to Escuela thanks to a partnership with Centus Counseling, Consulting, and Education, a nonprofit organization that collaborates with schools and faith communities to provide mental health services. Kira has been a vital presence at Escuela de Guadalupe for nearly a decade. Claudia joined the school five years ago. Both counselors work three days a week, overlapping on Thursdays, ensuring that there is a counselor in the building every day.
Building a Culture of Respect, Responsibility and Kindness
The work of Escuela’s school counselors goes far beyond the traditional one-on-one support that most people picture when thinking about school counselors. Kira and Claudia have pioneered a variety of programs aimed at building a school-wide culture that reflects Escuela’s core values: Respect, Responsibility, and Kindness. These values aren’t just words on a wall—they are the foundation for daily life at Escuela, woven into lessons, interactions, and celebrations.
The many initiatives that the school counselors lead include:
- One-on-One School Counseling – Providing students with a safe space to express their feelings, navigate challenges, and develop coping strategies.
- Art Group – A post-pandemic initiative aimed at helping students express emotions and improve social skills through creative expression.
- Conflict Resolution Group – Helping students learn to navigate conflicts peacefully and build stronger relationships.
- Emotional Development Class – A rotating class for middle schoolers that teaches self-awareness, emotional regulation, and social skills.
- Kindness Club – A student-led initiative that promotes positive interactions and anti-bullying efforts throughout the school.
- Valores Hero – A program that encourages everyone in the building to nominate students who exemplify Escuela’s Valores: Respect, Responsibility and Kindness. Once a week, a Valores Hero is named.
The counselors’ impact is visible in every corner of the bilingual school in Denver. The Kindness Club, for example, has grown into a major force for positive change, with nearly half of Escuela’s middle schoolers participating. The club plays a pivotal role in planning Unity Day and Kindness Day, special events that reinforce values of inclusivity, respect, and empathy. During Kindness Day 2025, students will rotate through interactive stations that promote communication, teamwork, and kindness.
School Counselors Provide a Bridge to Families
As a bilingual school in Denver, Escuela de Guadalupe integrates Spanish and English into both the curriculum and the school culture. Since half of the families predominantly speak English and half speak Spanish, services must be accessible in two languages. As fluent Spanish speakers, Kira and Claudia serve as essential bridges between parents, students, and educators when a student’s emotional wellbeing is being discussed.
“I see parents at this school walking confidently in the door, knowing they are seen, heard, and understood,” Kira shared. “At other schools, parents might need to find a bilingual liaison to communicate. Here, it’s a given that we can speak directly with them.”
Claudia, who is originally from Guatemala, feels a special connection to the school’s culture. “It feels like home,” she said. “Like I’m working a little bit in Guatemala. The shared language, and the cultural connections make a difference in how we can support these families.”
A Team Effort: Trust Between School Counselors and Administrators
A key factor in the success of Escuela de Guadalupe’s counseling program is the strong, mutual trust between administrators and counselors. In some schools, counseling services can feel like an add-on, struggling for visibility or resources. At Escuela, however, the counselors are fully integrated into the fabric of the community.
“We’re not just outside consultants,” Claudia explained. “We are part of Escuela. We collaborate with teachers, administrators, and families to create a unified support system for students.”
This close relationship ensures that when challenges arise, they are met with coordinated care. Whether working with individual students, shaping school policies, or leading cultural initiatives, Kira and Claudia have the full backing of the administration.
A Lasting Impact
The impact of Kira and Claudia’s work is both immediate and lasting. In recent years, climate surveys have shown a measurable increase in students feeling recognized and supported. At last year’s 8th grade graduation, when asked what words best described their experience at Escuela, students proudly responded: Respectful, Responsible, and Kind.
Clearly, Kira and Claudia are more than counselors. They are mentors, advocates, and pillars of a school culture that truly prioritizes the whole child. Through their work, they are helping shape not just students, but future leaders who will carry the values of respect, responsibility, and kindness into the world.
