I am very happy to start another year at Ballenger Creek Elementary School!  Last year was a wonderful year for me, thanks to our amazing students, teachers and parents.  My continued goal is to provide counseling in the areas of academics, personal, social and career education.  I will provide this through classroom lessons, one on one counseling and groups.

  I am excited to begin the year with a visit into every classroom, reminding our students what my role as counselor is.  I look forward to seeing familiar faces and getting to know our new students!  I will be visiting every classroom three times throughout the year to teach lessons that cover the objectives of the essential counseling curriculum.  My lessons will include, Character Counts/PBIS, Bullying and Career/Readiness. 

I am available to provide short term, one on one counseling and support for students experiencing difficulties that may interfere with their success in school.  If a child continues to have difficulty, I will assist families to an appropriate outside community resource for long-term counseling.

I will provide groups to offer students the benefit of sharing with their peers as well as to provide the opportunity to learn new skills and to leave the group with a stronger sense of self.   I will be doing groups this year on an as need basis, per teacher/grade recommendation.  If your child is selected by his or her teacher, I will send out a permission form for parent signature and detailed information about the group.    Group topics will include but not limited to:  Coping Strategies (ways to deal with anger and anxiety), Family Change (divorce/separation), Social Skills, and Organization/Study Skills.

In addition, I will be actively involved as Chairperson for our school’s PBIS program, Safety Patrols, Peer Mediators and our Character Counts school wide program.  

I look forward to a great school year with our staff, parents, and students.  Go Bobcats!!