Classroom Guidance

This is one of my favorite parts of the job! I teach academic, personal and social skills in every classroom once every four cycles. This allows me to serve every student here, to get to know the children, and for them to become comfortable with me. Relationships built during these lessons extend outside the classroom and make the children's coming to me for support that much easier.

Because research shows that most elementary school children cannot pay attention for forty uninterrupted minutes, my lessons incorporate hands-on and/or cooperative components. I lead the children in brain breaks (short movement exercises) to allow give their minds a rest and re-energize their bodies.

Guidance lesson topics include school responsibilities, listening effectively, following directions, staying on task, regulating emotions, communicating assertively, resolving conflicts, managing stress, and making healthy decisions. As the need arises, I also create lessons unique to specific classroom situations, and work with teachers to monitor classes' progress.

Small Groups

Participating in small groups allows children to learn from and support one another as I guide them through specially designed art, reading, writing, and game activities. Throughout the year, I facilitate many groups, focusing on the needs presenting themselves at the time. Children generally enjoy being in small groups - they seem to appreciate the extra attention as well as learn in a fun, new way!

Aside from traditional social, emotional and academic small groups, I've run Adding Assets Groups. Here, the goal is teaching students to build internal and external resources that can serve them now and in the future. I've also facilitated Solution Focused Groups. In these groups, each child chooses an individual goal and we track their progress as I teach the steps to the goal setting process.

Individual Guidance

I meet with children individually to support them through life changes or difficult situations, and to guide them toward positive change. At one time or another, any child may need a little extra support or guidance. Through individual guidance counseling, children are given a safe space to be open about their feelings and circumstances, the first steps toward healing and moving forward in a healthy way.

If you feel that your child could benefit from speaking with me, and maybe meeting with me regularly, please let me know. I'll do all I can to help your child.

Other Services

I direct the Watch D.O.G.S. and Guidance Helpers programs, as well as co-facilitate the Student Leadership Team. I also act as a liaison to the special education department, guiding parents through the beginning stages of an evaluation process and answering questions along the way. Also, I consult regularly with parents, teachers and administrators about individual student concerns as well as building and district issues.

Parents may consider me a resource - someone to contact when they are not sure what to do or who to talk to, or anytime they think I may be able to assist in any way!

Last Modified on September 12, 2016