Cheryl Janzen has served the education industry for over 27 years and has over three years of college counseling experience. She holds credentials in Michigan and Tennessee as a school counselor (preK-12), a certified Language Arts instructor (7-12), a certified Speech and Communication Arts instructor (7-12), and a licensed professional counselor.
In 2015, she earned an Ed.S. in Curriculum and Instruction. Additionally, she carries national board certifications as a general counselor and a school counselor. She began her educational career in 1996 as an English and Speech teacher at Roosevelt High School in Wyandotte, Michigan. She transitioned to high school counseling in 2000 when she accepted a position at Franklin High School in Livonia. More recently, she joined the Firat Education team as a College Admissions Consultant in February 2020.
Cheryl has helped over 500 students through the college admissions process, yielding over 10,000 college acceptances. She has visited over 20 colleges and continues to nurture relationships with college admissions representatives. Cheryl has also helped high school students receive over $1 million in financial aid for college.
Cheryl’s expertise in the high school and post-secondary planning area is acknowledged across Michigan and Tennessee. She worked with Eastern Michigan University’s Dr. Suzanne Dugger (formerly Hobson) to co-author a book chapter on secondary educational planning entitled, “Educational Planning: Helping Students Build Lives by Choice, Not by Chance”. This chapter was published in 2004 in the nationally disseminated book, Professional School Counseling: A Handbook of Theories, Programs & Practices.
While living in Michigan, Cheryl was actively involved in the Michigan Counseling Association (MCA) serving as the editor of Quest, the award-winning newsletter for MCA, as well as serving as member-at-large for other state associations.
Since moving to Tennessee, Cheryl has dedicated time to the development and implementation of a comprehensive college and career guidance program. The program provides a systematic approach to secondary and post-secondary planning that ensures opportunities for all students to be college or career ready upon graduation of high school. In January 2011, Cheryl accepted the position as the College and Career Counselor at Walker Valley High School in Cleveland, Tennessee, a position she assumed after serving five years as the 10th grade school counselor. When the funding for the grant was not renewed, Cheryl returned to the classroom teaching AP Language & Composition, American Literature, Speech & Communications, and ACT Prep.
Have a few questions about the college admissions process? Pick Cheryl’s Brain by clicking on the brain icon above
National Board Certified Counselor
National Board for Certified Counselors
National Board Certified School Counselor
National Board for Certified Counselors
Educational Specialist Degree in Curriculum & Instruction
Lincoln Memorial University
MA, School Counseling
Eastern Michigan University
BA, English
Wayne State University
Cheryl is a Senior College Admissions Consultant who will:
- Fully assess your student to identify: Personality traits, career matches, academic strengths, learning skills and styles
- Prepare an individually custom-tailored college preparation plan and academic curriculum to achieve your desired results
- Provide personalized college counseling and advising services
- Guide and help you with every step of the college application process, including college essay preparation, resume building, interviews, and campus visits.
The College and Career Assessment is a a three session assessment of personality, interests, skills and abilities in order to identify the most fitting careers, college majors and up to 30 colleges based on size, location, academics, and extracurriculars that are best fit for the student.
If your student is not satisfied with his or her college and major list, Cheryl will work with your student to develop a new list that he or she feels confident about while also considering college compatibility.
To schedule a College and Career Assessment with Cheryl, please email clientrelations@firateducation.com or call 423-708-6949.
If you are interested in our Testing Analysis service to identify content gaps and the right test for you (ACT or SAT), click here.
Cheryl and the Firat Education’s team of standardized test prep tutors can provide test prep for the:
ACT/SAT for college admissions
In alignment with your college and career goals, Cheryl will identify your standardized test objectives, analyze your current test scores (official scores or Firat Education practice testing) to determine the best test for you, and create a strategy with you to hit your score objectives.
To schedule practice testing with Firat Education, please call 423-708-6949 ext. 1 or fill out this form.
