College & Career Solutions for Students of Military Families
Dan Simon is a seasoned educator, leader, coach, and speaker with over three decades of experience guiding students and professionals toward meaningful growth. Dan and his wife of more than 30 years are proud parents of six college graduates, including three with advanced degrees and one a West Point graduate. Having both a son and a son-in-law serving in the Army gives him a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs of the student journey, especially for military families.
Under Dan’s tenure as Principal of High Technology High School, the school rose to the number one rank of U.S. high schools (according to U.S. News & World Report). His journey from school leadership to independent advising reflects a deep calling: to meet each student where they are and help them uncover their God-given strengths.
Unlike one-size-fits-all programs, Dan’s approach is personal, faith-centered, and rooted in relationships. He combines strategic insight with genuine care, helping students build clarity, confidence, and purpose as they navigate vocation, college, and career decisions.
Purposeful Guidance Uniquely Built for Military Life
Military families face challenges that most adolescent transition programs aren’t built to address, including frequent relocations, inconsistency between school systems, and the emotional toll of service. Dan’s Vocation, College, and Career program was created to fill that gap.
With a faith-driven mission and over 30 years of experience, Dan offers more than information: he offers clarity, stability, and a trusted relationship. Services include live webinars (in person or online), one-on-one consultations, and actionable resources. Dan meets students where they are and helps them move forward with vision and purpose. For families and organizations seeking more than a generic approach, Dan provides guidance that’s personal, principled, and grounded in a deep respect for those who serve.
“Dan Simon’s presentation on personal advocacy gave me what I felt was much needed advice in my own life and I plan to use what he shared as help along my educational journey!”
“Dan’s presentation reminded me how important it is to speak up for yourself in order to succeed. As I enter into college, it was really encouraging to be reminded of all the resources available to help me thrive. It made me feel more confident about reaching out for help and using what’s offered to make the most of my college experience.”
“Dan’s presentation was really impactful. It helped me better understand how to advocate for myself effectively and confidently.”
Partnerships With Military Family Support Organizations
Strategic Alliances That Empower and Prepare Students For The Future
Dan partners with military support organizations to provide families with practical, values-driven resources for students in grades 8 through 12. Through virtual gatherings and asynchronous webinars, organizations provide access to ready-to-use content that equips students to explore vocational, college, career pathways while honoring the unique challenges and transitions military families face.
These resources are designed to be flexible, engaging and easy to integrate. Whether embedded in an existing program or offered as a stand-alone resource, Dan’s content helps organizations provide consistent guidance that empowers students to reflect on their strengths, clarify their goals and take confident steps toward the future.
Program Highlights
- Content focused on college, career and vocational planning
- Flexible delivery through webinars, embedded modules or hosted events
- Designed for grades 8 through 12 and adaptable to any school calendar
- Ready-to-use resources for youth programs, family support networks and military-connected schools
- Values-based, student-centered guidance
Why This Program Works for Military Support Organizations
Military life often involves frequent moves, changing school systems and uncertainty about what comes next. Dan’s program gives organizations a reliable toolkit they can offer to families and students, ensuring access to consistent, high-quality guidance anytime and anywhere. His values-based approach resonates with communities that prioritize character, resilience and readiness.
Students leave these sessions with a clearer sense of direction, a personalized action plan and the confidence to take their next steps, whether that means college, career or vocational training.
“Your energy, presence, and the targeted content contributed to an impactful presentation. You delivered the message these young people need to hear, and you did it with positive energy and skill.”
“The process of planning for college is overwhelming by itself. Trying to talk to your kids to motivate them, guide them and keep them to a schedule is a challenge for any parent. We had to do this with twins. Both of them were so different in their personalities as well as so different in their direction, passions, goals and desires. The advice that we could give was only what we had when we were in college and that experience, even though valid, was outdated. Mr. Simon developed an immediate bond with our boys. His ability to motivate and guide our sons was truly amazing. This relationship and coaching allowed the boys to focus on what they needed to do and a timeframe for each aspect of the experience. The constant feedback on each aspect of the application process made the process smoother not only for the boys but easier for us as parents. His professionalism and knowledge is honed by a passion that warrants respect and motivates one to perform to the best of their ability. I do not know how we could have done this without him.”
“Mr. Simon was instrumental the last year of my daughter’s high school, helping her complete college applications and assisting with scholarship submissions. His guidance, both educational and spiritual, also assisted in helping her prepare for life outside school.”
One-on-One Coaching for Adolescents
Personalized mentoring that helps teens navigate transitions with confidence and direction.
Dan offers individualized coaching for adolescents who are motivated to explore their future with purpose. This one-on-one experience supports students as they navigate key decisions around college, career and personal development. Through reflective conversations and strategic planning, Dan helps each student uncover their strengths, articulate their goals and take confident steps forward while building trust and emotional resilience.
This is more than academic advising. It is a relationship built on encouragement, insight and accountability. Dan walks with each student not just for a season, but throughout their journey.
What This Coaching Experience Offers
- Personalized coaching tailored to your teen’s goals and personality
- Ongoing mentorship that continues throughout the student’s journey
- Professional assessments to uncover strengths, interests and growth areas
- Support for vocational exploration, college planning, and life readiness
- Encouraging values-based guidance that builds confidence and clarity
- Flexible scheduling that continues regardless of location or school changes
Why Military Families Choose This
Military families often face frequent relocations, shifting school environments and uncertainty about what comes next. Dan’s coaching provides consistency and clarity during these transitions, offering students a steady voice of support and direction. His values-based approach resonates with families who prioritize character, resilience and readiness.
Students gain more than a plan. They gain a mentor who stays with them through change, offering identity, direction and confidence that endures across moves and milestones.
“The application process is very strenuous and often discouraging. I learned so much about not just how to write better and create a portfolio that exemplified the best version of myself, but I also learned about networking and reaching out for further academic opportunity. Dan put hours into creating a personalized plan based on all of my individual needs. Dan is a coach who is incredibly flexible, patient, kind, and encouraging. While you still need to put in your best effort during the college process, he will make it exponentially more manageable.”
“As a student coming from a financial situation where college isn’t necessarily in the picture, Mr. Simon has helped to lay out all of reality’s cards down on the table for my family. Developing a firm understanding of my specific situation, he worked to keep all of our options open while helping me develop a stable plan for my academic future.”
“When my college search process first began, I felt stressed out and overwhelmed amidst all the options. Talking with Mr. Simon definitely helped ease my worries. He assured me that both selective and less selective schools offered amazing opportunities and that the acceptance rate did not matter, as long as the school was the right fit for me. Overall Mr. Simon was very helpful at guiding me on what to look for in a school, how to communicate with them, and what questions to ask. Lastly, but most importantly, Mr. Simon prayed with me. He prayed that the Lord would lead me to the right school and that I’d trust Him throughout the whole process.”
“Mr. Simon was nothing short of wonderful and helpful when it came to my college application process. At the beginning of my senior year, I was overwhelmed with all the choices Mr. Simon was able to sit down with me and talk through my schedule to see what would be the most beneficial classes for me to take for my transcript and he helped me narrow down my list of colleges. Throughout the rest of my application process, I was able to have peace of mind because he sat down with me and looked through my entire application, working through any necessary adjustments, including my essay. Through working with Mr. Simon, I was taught to strive for excellence in my education. Many of the lessons and advice that Mr. Simon gave me regarding college and Christ have stayed with me and I am forever grateful for the impact he made in my life.”
“With Mr. Simon’s help, I felt confident and at ease during the biggest challenge I faced as a high school student during my junior and senior years. He was able to transform what felt like a daunting process into a new perspective where the only limit was the sky itself. On top of it all, it felt as though I was talking to a friend rather than an advisor. I am so grateful to Mr. Simon for helping me.”
“With Mr. Simon’s help, I was able not only to figure out the college admission process but he helped me figure out a career path that guided me for the remainder of my high school career and towards the type of schools that I should apply to. If not for him, I do not think I would have had an easy time through the process. He was there with answers for all of my concerns and worries. I felt that I could reach out to him about anything at any time.”
