STE. GENEVIEVE — Ste. Genevieve High School has been selected to participate in the expanded rootEd Missouri Career Advising Initiative (MCAI), a statewide effort to ensure rural high school students have access to a dedicated college and career advisor to support their success after graduation.
“We are excited to announce that Ms. Erin Stoll was chosen for the role of rootEd advisor, a position she has embraced with enthusiasm this school year,” a school official stated.
rootEd advisors provide all seniors with one-on-one career and college advising to ensure they graduate on a path to a well-paying job—whether through college, career training, apprenticeships, or military service. As part of the initiative, rootEd advisors also partner with the local business community to help introduce students to in-demand career paths, including those close to home.
A proud 2002 graduate of SGHS, Ms. Stoll holds an associate degree from Jefferson College, a bachelor’s degree in secondary education—health and physical education—from Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO), a master’s degree in counseling from Missouri Baptist University, and a specialist degree in teacher leadership from SEMO.
She began her career in 2008 at Sullivan High School as both an in-school suspension instructor and a physical education teacher, later joining Ste. Genevieve Middle School as an ISS instructor and eventually serving in the SOAR/At-Risk program.
Throughout her career, Ms. Stoll has been active in professional organizations such as the National Education Association, Missouri National Education Association, Missouri Alternative Educators Network, and Missouri School Counselors Association.
Her work has been recognized with multiple SGMS Teacher of the Month awards and the 2025 SGMS Teacher of the Year honor.
“I hope our students know how lucky they are to be surrounded by so many wonderful people who just want the best for them,” Ms. Stoll said. “My door is always open and I’m here to help in any way that I can.” Her favorite quote, by educator Rita Pierson, sums up her approach: “Every child deserves a champion – an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be.”
For Ms. Stoll, stepping into the rootEd role felt like a natural next step.
“When this position came open, there was no question I was going to apply. I loved my job at SGMS, but when I decided to get my master’s in counseling, college and career planning was the component that excited me most,” she explained. “This position is exactly what I wanted and could see myself doing for the rest of my career. I’ve loved talking with students about their futures and helping them navigate what comes next. Our one-on-one meetings have been going great, and I’m excited to continue learning about their goals and supporting their process.”
In this new role, Ms. Stoll works individually with students to:
- Explore careers and apply for college or training programs that support their path;
- Navigate financial aid opportunities, including FAFSA completion;
- Enroll in college or career training, earn a workplace credential, and/or enlist in the military; and
- Successfully transition from high school, which may include help with housing, transportation, and other needs.
Ms. Stoll also appreciates the collaboration with the counseling team and school staff. “Working alongside our senior counselor, Mr. Toombs has been incredible. He’s a wealth of information and has been so generous with his knowledge,” she said. “Mrs. Sulkowski, Dr. Draper, and Ms. Brumfield has also been wonderful. I’ve been able to incorporate new ideas while maintaining the integrity of what was already in place. We have some exciting things coming up, and I can’t wait to share them.”
Her previous experience in the At-Risk /SOAR program also prepared her for this role.
“That position taught me how important it is to build relationships—especially with students who may be unmotivated,” she reflected. “Relationships will always be key to success when you’re working with kids. The more they can trust you, the better the outcome.”
As part of MCAI, Ms. Stoll will receive ongoing training, data insights, and operational guidance from rootEd Missouri.
“We’re thrilled to bring rootEd Missouri’s proven model to our students,” Superintendent Dr. Paul Taylor said. “Our students deserve every opportunity, and rootEd’s dedicated advising—in partnership with our school and the local community—will make a real difference in setting up their future successes.”
Missouri Career Advising Initiative
The Missouri Career Advising Initiative is a partnership between the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and rootEd Missouri. rootEd Missouri is led by Ozarks Technical Community College and the national nonprofit rootEd Alliance, which works to increase economic mobility and access to opportunities for the next generation of rural Americans. Learn more about the Missouri Career Advising Initiative here.
About rootEd Alliance
rootEd Alliance is committed to expanding economic opportunity and mobility for rural youth by ensuring every student graduates high school on a path to a well-paying career. rootEd Alliance places dedicated college and career advisors in rural high schools to work one-on-one with all seniors to define and create a plan for their futures, whether through a college degree, career credentials, apprenticeships, or military service. Launched in 2018 and now operating in Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, Alaska, and Idaho, rootEd advisors will serve over 25,000 students at more than 300 rural high schools in the 2025-2026 academic year. rootEd Alliance is made possible by a group of philanthropists, convened by BDT & MSD Partners.