After one year of splitting time between college counseling and the learning center, Claire Olderman will be leaving to go to Ladue High School, where she has accepted a job as a school counselor.

Olderman came to St. Louis U High following two years at Vianney.

“I applied (to SLUH) like two to three years ago and all I got was a denial letter so I didn’t even get in the door,” said Olderman. “But after I had two years under my belt at Vianney, I saw a school counselor opening at SLUH and applied for it.”

Despite originally applying for the school counseling job, Olderman ended up being offered a unique job combining work with the Learning Center and work in the College Counseling office.

“I’ve taken 38 juniors for College Counseling and I’ve had to meet with all of them one-on-one with their families,” said Olderman. “I’ve worked in the Learning Center, working with ASAP (SLUH’s after school academics program). I have a caseload of about 25 to 30 kids and we meet one on one weekly to kind of work on things like executive functions, so like time management, things like that.”

Olderman has worked hard to reorganize the ASAP program to fit the needs of every SLUH student who would like to participate and to make the program more seamless and efficient for the teachers in the Learning Center.

Olderman was also responsible for advising the 38 juniors as part of her work in College Counseling.

“I like when we have our team meetings,” said College Counselor Kate Kindbom. “She brings a lot of vibrancy to our team meeting every Thursday morning.”

Olderman also brought insight from her experience as a college admissions counselor at her alma mater, John Carroll University.

“Having walked that walk she knew from the college side what that was like,” said Kindbom.

Olderman was frequently responsible for extending the school’s hospitality to the visiting college  representatives.

“She’s been amazing. I don’t know how she does it— multitasking,” said Kindbom. “When we first hired her for this blended position I wasn’t sure how she would make it work but somehow she has made it work and what I appreciate most about her is that she just jumped in with both feet and not everyone can do that.”

Olderman connected with students around the school through activities like Men for Life and yearbook, where she was the co-moderator.

“I think my trip to the DC for the March for Life was great. I got to talk to some students I typically wouldn’t have talked to. Also during Mission Week, the squat challenge was very fun,” said Olderman. “So getting to know students outside of the academic role is really big and impactful for me. It’s where you see them come alive. You see their passions. You see who they really are behind just a student.”

Olderman’s decision to leave SLUH was a tough one for her.

“I am leaving because I got offered a school counseling position, and my master’s degree is in school counseling. That’s really where my passion lies so I decided to take this opportunity,” said Olderman.

“She’s on a high trajectory, I hope Ladue can keep her, good to them if they can,” said Kindbom. “She is a mover and a shaker, she’s doing a lot of things and I’m happy for her. I’m glad for us that we got to have her for a year, but it set the standard pretty high for whoever comes in after her.”

Olderman recognizes the differences between SLUH and Ladue, but will cherish the memories that were made at SLUH.

“There is something special about working at a private school and working at an all-boys school,” said Olderman. “I’m really going to miss that aspect, that camaraderie you see with all boys. It’s fun to see that all together so it’s going to be different for me.”