The School Counseling program at both the Elementary and Middle School levels is part of the whole school program. It is child-centered and encourages a student's social, emotional, personal, and academic growth. I work with students, parents, teachers, administrators, other support personnel and professionals to help the students do their best to reach their full potential.
The four "C's" that are included in this Guidance program are:
1) Classroom Guidance
2) Individual and Small group Counseling
3) Consultation with parents, teachers, parents, support staff, and other professionals
4) Helping with the Coordination of relevant school-related programs
I develop and conduct regularly scheduled Classroom Guidance activities at the Elementary level (grades k-5) and help develop and provide curriculum for the teachers to use for the daily Team Time at the Middle School level (grades 6-8). Topics include, but are not limited to: Conflict Resolution, Anger Management, Effective Communication, Respect for Self and Others, Personal Responsibility, Study Skills, and Career Awareness.
Individual and Small Group Counseling that is offered here at school is not clinical or in the realm of "therapy", but does provide support to students in a short-term, confidential manner. This service is available to all students and they can be referred to me by a parent, teacher administrator, or by the student him/herself. Students can be referred to individual or small group counseling for a wide variety of concerns....for example: Changing Families, Behavior/Anger Control, Friendship/Social Skills, Organization/Study Skills, etc.
I Consult with teachers, parents, administrators, support staff, and/or other involved professionals regarding the needs of students in order to determine interventions that might be the most helpful. I am also a member of the Response to Instruction team and Multi-disciplinary team at both the Elementary and Middle School levels. The "RTI" team meets on a weekly basis to check the progress of the students who are in the intervention "tiers". And, the "M-Team" meets with parents whenever and educational evaluation is opened as well as once it's concluded.
I work hand in hand with other school staff members in order to help with and/or Coordinate programs or events that are relevant to our school community's needs. Examples include transitional events such as Kindergarten round-up and Middle School Orientation, Open Houses and Conferences at each level, and our corporation-wide Olweus Antyi-Bullying Program.
I also help with the Coordination and Administration of standardized testing such as the ILEARN and I-READ at the Elementary and Middle School levels.