School Counselor
Tatiana Vanaria is the school counselor at WES. Tatiana earned her BS in Social Work from the University of Maine and Masters in Education and Education Specialist degrees in School Counseling from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Tatiana can be reached at 646-5953 ext. 4122 or tvanaria@wocsd.org.
Social Worker
Kathy Mitchell, LCSW is the social worker at WES. Kathy earned her BA in Psychology at the University of New England and Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work from Boston College. Kathy can be reached at 646-5953 ext. 4129 or kmitchell@wocsd.org.
Direct Services for Students:
Individual school-based counseling support is accessible to all students in grades K-4 as needed. We receive referrals from parents, teachers, administrators and students.
Kathy Mitchell and Tatiana Vanaria work with children in the individual and group setting to address and support social emotional learning, behavioral issues and environmental stressors that are manifested at school.
It is understood that social, emotional, environmental and learning based issues can often interfere with a child's performance at school. It is our hope that we can help children perform to their potential and help them to have a positive school experience.
Group Counseling Support
Small group counseling support is offered at Wells Elementary School. Group topics vary, but most often focus on coping with anxiety, impulse control strategies, friendship skills, communication, self-esteem, conflict resolution, emotional regulation and social cognition. Groups typically meet once a week for four to six weeks. Parents and teachers are welcome to contact either the social worker or school counselor to discuss potential group participation for their student.
Classroom Guidance Program
The "Choose Love Movement", "Second Step", "Social Thinking", and "A Little Spot of Emotion" curriculums are used throughout the year in guidance lessons. These lessons are taught by Tatiana Vanaria, our school counselor, on a bi-weekly rotation. Please refer to her "Classroom Guidance Lessons" tab for more information.
Community Based Mental Health Provider List
The Wells-Ogunquit CSD school counselors and social workers have compiled a list of community therapists who provide mental health support to children, adolescents, and adults. Please contact either Tatiana Vanaria, WES school counselor, or Kathy Mitchell, school social worker, if you are interested in obtaining a copy of the list.