A nationally celebrated school counselor who championed sexual assault prevention now faces felony charges for allegedly assaulting a student over 100 times, exposing dangerous gaps in our education system’s oversight of those entrusted with our children’s safety.
Story Highlights
- Colorado’s 2016 Counselor of the Year arrested on felony sexual assault charges involving a female student
- Cassandra Poncelow allegedly used emotional manipulation, threatening suicide if the victim reported the abuse
- The decorated counselor led sexual assault prevention programs while allegedly committing these crimes
- Police seek additional victims as investigation continues with $500,000 cash-only bond set
Award-Winning Counselor’s Shocking Fall
Cassandra Poncelow built her career as a champion for vulnerable students at Poudre High School in Colorado. The 2016 Colorado Counselor of the Year and 2018 finalist for National School Counselor of the Year developed innovative programs for suicide awareness, sexual assault prevention, and dropout recovery. Her reputation for student advocacy earned widespread recognition throughout Colorado’s education system. Fort Collins police arrested Poncelow on August 19, 2025, following a month-long investigation that began with a July tip about inappropriate conduct with a student.
Disturbing Pattern of Alleged Abuse
The charges against Poncelow reveal a calculated pattern of predatory behavior that allegedly began in her school counseling office. According to police reports, the inappropriate relationship progressed to off-campus encounters, including alleged “sleep overs” where sexual assault occurred over 100 times. Most troubling, Poncelow allegedly used emotional manipulation to silence her victim, warning “If you tell anyone, I’ll kill myself.” This psychological coercion demonstrates how trusted authority figures can exploit vulnerable students while shielding themselves from accountability through manipulation tactics.
Systemic Failures in School Oversight
This case exposes critical weaknesses in how our schools monitor staff with access to vulnerable children. Despite Poncelow’s high-profile role and numerous awards, no oversight mechanisms detected years of alleged criminal behavior. The irony that someone leading sexual assault prevention programs could simultaneously be perpetrating such crimes reveals how professional accolades and public recognition can create blind spots in supervision. Parents rightfully expect rigorous background checks and ongoing monitoring of school personnel, especially those in counseling roles with private access to students.
The Poudre School District now faces questions about its safeguarding protocols and whether warning signs were missed or ignored. This represents a fundamental breach of trust between educational institutions and the families who depend on them to protect their children during school hours and related activities.
Investigation Seeks Additional Victims
Fort Collins police actively seek other potential victims or witnesses as the investigation expands. Poncelow remains held on $500,000 cash-only bond and has not retained legal representation as of recent reports. The substantial bond reflects the severity of charges and potential flight risk concerns. Law enforcement’s public call for additional victims suggests they believe more students may have suffered similar abuse, highlighting the scope of potential harm caused by this trusted educator’s alleged criminal conduct.
Sources:
Award-winning HS counselor allegedly sexually assaulted female student over 100 times
Colorado school counselor accused of felony sex crimes against student
School of Education Alumna Named Colorado School Counselor of the Year
