Host Evelyn Lauer interviews Gretchen Stauder, a post-high school counselor at New Trier Township High School in Winnetka, Illinois. Gretchen is a member of the Illinois Association for College and Admission Counseling, Illinois School Counselor Association, and the Gap Year Association. She has spent more than 25 years of guiding students in their journey about discovering post-secondary paths that match their academic, social, and financial needs. For the past 10 years, she has coordinated one of two Chicago Gap Year Fairs through Gooverseas because she has seen the transformational benefits of a gap year experience for students who choose this option.

Beyond the Bell is a college-and-career counseling podcast designed to provide students with tools and tips to look beyond the bell of their high schools into their futures (be it, college, careers, trade schools, or gap years) where bells do not exist. Beyond the Bell is hosted by Lauer, who has worked in education for nearly 25 years, serving primarily as a high school English teacher, but also assuming roles as an instructional coach, college writing instructor, workshop leader, and journalism/media advisor. Lauer is also currently a graduate student at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago where she is studying school counseling. She is a mother to two sons, who are in 10th and 7th grade. She also serves on the board of Friends of Amundsen High School. Topics discussed include: college admissions, college essays, gap years, and finding one’s passions and future careers.

To register for the Chicago Gap Year Fairs (Oak Park River Forest 1/24/25 and New Trier is 1/25/25), please visit https://www.gooverseas.com/gap-year/usa-fairs/schedule

Host Evelyn Lauer interviews Julia Rogers, a leading expert in the growing field of gap year education and a passionate advocate for the gap year movement. As President Emeritus of the Gap Year Association, she has played a pivotal role in advancing the field through research, the establishment of standards, and tireless advocacy. Julia is a professionally accredited gap year consultant and the founder of EnRoute Consulting, where she has spent the past 16 years guiding young adults through transformative educational experiences. A TEDx speaker and host of the Gap Year Radio podcast, Julia is also a frequent guest on both local and national media, sharing her expertise and championing the benefits of gap years.

Beyond the Bell is a college-and-career counseling podcast designed to provide students with tools and tips to look beyond the bell of their high schools into their futures (be it, college, careers, trade schools, or gap years) where bells do not exist. Beyond the Bell is hosted by Lauer, who has worked in education for nearly 25 years, serving primarily as a high school English teacher, but also assuming roles as an instructional coach, college writing instructor, workshop leader, and journalism/media advisor. Lauer is also currently a graduate student at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago where she is studying school counseling. She is a mother to two sons, who are in 10th and 7th grade. She also serves on the board of Friends of Amundsen High School. Topics discussed will include: college admissions, college essays, trade schools, gap years, finding one’s passions and future careers.

Host Evelyn Lauer interviews Andrew Allemann, the founder of CollegeIQ, a site that helps high school students and their parents find the right colleges for them. He created the site after helping his kid through the college admissions process. CollegeIQ aggregates dozens of data points from government, public, and private data sources to help students filter by academics, finances, and even social aspects of colleges. They talk about all things finance when it comes to affording the college that's right for you!

Beyond the Bell is a college-and-career counseling podcast designed to provide students with tools and tips to look beyond the bell of their high schools into their futures (be it, college, careers, trade schools, or gap years) where bells do not exist. Beyond the Bell is hosted by Lauer, who has worked in education for nearly 25 years, serving primarily as a high school English teacher, but also assuming roles as an instructional coach, college writing instructor, workshop leader, and journalism/media advisor. Lauer is also currently a graduate student at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago where she is studying school counseling. She is a mother to two sons, who are in 10th and 7th grade. She also serves on the board of Friends of Amundsen High School. Topics discussed will include: college admissions, college essays, trade schools, gap years, finding one’s passions and future careers.