Kari Batka

Student-centered High School Counselor with over 32 years of success guiding students on academic and career decisions. Skilled at counseling students on methods for forging relationships and helping students navigate school life and its many challenges. Driven to support long-term goal achievement by linking students to outside resources to enhance education and career prospects. Due to high demand and needs of large caseload of students through the years, was also involved with many long term "therapeutic" relationships. The goal was typically centered around relationships and school centered success. In 32 years I have dealt with any and all issues that effect teenagers and transitions into becoming a young adults.

Accomplished Competitive State Championship Dance Team Coach 1992-2005 and 2017-2023.

- IDTA Hall of Fame

- Jodie Harrison Hall of Fame Inductee 2010




Mental Health Awareness/Suicide Prevention HOPE Club Advisor - Planned and organized many school-wide all inclusive events which included a yearly Hope Hustle 5K Fun Run/Walk




KICK A THON Founder - a 29 year tradition and fundraising event in St. Charles that raised over $1,500,000 and was designed to "Kick Cancer" and benefit

Cancer Resource Agencies in the Tri-City area.

• LPC - Licensed Professional Counselor
• School Counselor Certification
• Physical Education Teaching Certificate (K-12)

Judge for State and National Dance Team organizations.

Giving teams feedback and rating and ranking teams at local and nationwide competitions.

I recently retired after serving over 32 years as a high school counselor at St. Charles East High School.

In June of 2023 I took the NCE and as of July 2023 have earned my License as a Professional Counselor.

I am seeking my next chapter and anxious to find the best place to utilize my skills, compassion, and newly obtained license to practice outside of the school setting, I bring years and years and years of practical experience and I look forward to finding a good fit moving forward,