DJDS Appoints Jill Bialecki as Interim College Counselor

With Mz. Alyse Opatowski on maternity leave, Denver Jewish Day School has appointed Ms. Jill Bialecki as the interim college counselor. 

Bialecki, who grew up in Massachusetts and attended college in Maine, has two adult children, ages 22 and 24, both of whom went through the college application process. She came from Sheridan High School after serving as their college counselor. 

Being a parent gives Bialecki a good dual perspective. “Nobody knows the kid as much as the parent, so their perspective is extremely helpful,” she said. 

Although Bialecki is a practicing Catholic, she is comfortable working in a Jewish school setting. Her own children attended Catholic day schools, and her experience navigating private religious education has given her insight into helping students explore Jewish faith-based options after DJDS. 

Bialecki said she enjoys guiding students through the challenges of college applications. Her goal is for every student to have a path that they personally find exciting. “Once we have an idea of what the goal is, getting there is the easy part,” she said. “Don't worry about other people's paths; stop looking at other people and comparing yourself to them. Stick with your own.”

Students have already noticed the difference in her classes. “Mrs. Bialecki’s class creates a warm, comfortable environment that makes me feel like the journey through the college application process will be easier,” said Emma Raff, a junior in her Wednesday college counseling class. 

“She consistently goes above and beyond,” Opatowski said. “One detail that did not go unnoticed was her sending handwritten thank-you notes to Dr. GT and me after the interview.”

In her free time, Bialecki likes cooking, reading, and solving puzzles. She also has a black belt in taekwondo. 

For students going into college next year, Bialecki offered this advice: “There will be a small period when it's harder than you expected. Maybe a month in, it will be one of the hardest things you've done in your life. This phase will pass within two or three weeks. Once you get past this bump, it will pass.”