My name is Tara Schneider and I am the school counselor at Doniphan West Jr./Sr. High School. I am originally from Neola, Iowa - a town about the size of Highland. I am married to my husband, Nick, and we have a daughter named Clara. I have 4 nieces and 2 nephews. I also have a dog, Baxter, who keeps me plenty busy! In my free time, I enjoy riding four-wheelers, watching KU basketball, cooking, baking, sewing, painting, and spending time with family.

After attending college at Northwest Missouri State University, earning an undergraduate degree in Political Science, I worked as a transfer admission specialist at Northwest. I transitioned into the role of Transfer Advisor, even advising some students from Highland Community College. I decided to pursue my master's degree in School Counseling, also at Northwest, after seeing first-hand the struggles students face with under-addressed mental health issues, lack of academic preparation, and lack of college preparation. After spending about 6 years in Maryville, I made the move to Highland in December of 2017. I worked at Highland Community College as an academic advisor and retention & tutoring coordinator. My experience with college admissions, academic advising, and transfer credit articulation has prepared me well to assist the students at Doniphan West. 

I thoroughly enjoy helping students and believe in a counseling approach that meets students where they are, to help them achieve their definition of success. My approach focuses on academic, social emotional, and career support, which follows school counseling standards set forth in Kansas as well as at the national level.