Welcome to Guidance at NCS!

SCHOOL COUNSELOR: SHANIA MADDEN

The school counselor serves students grades K-8 at Nobleboro Central School, as well as students grades 6-8 in the Center for Alternative Learning (CAL), the district's alternative education program.

WHAT DOES A SCHOOL COUNSELOR DO?

  • Promotes academic, social, emotional, and personal growth.

  • Works with students and their families to decrease barriers to learning.

  • Conducts developmentally appropriate and relevant classroom lessons.

  • Facilitates small groups designed to target a particular skill or achieve a particular goal.

  • Meets with individuals to provide one-on-one counseling and assistance.

  • Consults and collaborates with parents, teachers, administrators, and other professionals.

  • Coordinates resources and outreach efforts.

  • Provides support to all members of the school community-- students, parents, and staff.

  • Maintains confidentiality in any counseling situation, with the exception of:

    • Suspected cases of abuse or neglect

    • If a student poses danger to self or others

    • The student and/or parent/guardian gives permission to share information

*The school counselor often consults with other school professionals, but only shares

information necessary to achieving the goals of the consultation.

WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS OF A SCHOOL COUNSELOR?

School counselors must:

  • Have a Master's degree in counseling

  • Be certified by the state of Maine.

WHEN DO STUDENTS SEE THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR?

  • During classroom guidance or small group lessons.

  • When there is an identified need or concern.

  • When parents indicate a desire for their child to be seen by the school counselor.

  • When teachers, administrators, or other school staff refer students.

  • When students request to see the school counselor.

*Individual and small group counseling is short-term, voluntary, and confidential.

WHAT ARE SOME COMMON TOPICS & ISSUES ADDRESSED BY THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR?

  • Self-esteem/image/worth

  • Social skills

  • Friendship

  • School success (organization, study skills, time management, attendance)

  • Behavioral and learning difficulties

  • Character building

  • Family concerns (divorce, loss)

  • Personal challenges (stress, anxiety, depression, anger)

  • Coping skills

  • Health and development

  • Future academic/career goals (interests, strengths, high school transition)

To contact the school counselor, call (207) 563-3437 and ask to be connected to guidance

or via email at smadden@aos93.org

* The Nobleboro Central School Counselor's website contains links to web sites which are not controlled by NCS. Links are provided as a convenience. NCS is not responsible for the content or availability of any linked site or any link contained in a linked site. The inclusion of a link does not imply endorsement of the linked site by NCS.