Welcome to the Amherst Junior High School Counseling Website! Our counseling program is designed to address the needs of all students by helping them acquire competencies in career planning and exploration, knowledge of self/others and educational/vocational development. The school counseling program consists of various programs: individual and group counseling, parent and teacher consultations, group guidance, referral assistance to other programs and services in the community, and classroom guidance.

Mrs. Johnson is the school counselor for grades 6-8 last names A-K.

Mr. Harcula is the counselor for grades 6-8 last names L-Z.

Meet Mr. Harcula

Hello! My name is Bob Harcula and I am looking forward to a school year filled with helping students become well-rounded individuals, achieve goals and reach their fullest potential here at AJH.

I am from Amherst, Ohio. I earned my Bachelor's in Education from The University of Toledo and my Master's from Cleveland State University in School Counseling.

bob_harcula@amherstk12.org

(440) 988-1624

Meet Mrs. Johnson

Hello! My name is Hannah Johnson. I pride myself on being empathetic, being present and being available. I am so excited to serve the students and families of AJH.

I am from Avon, Ohio. I earned my Bachelor's in Communications Disorders from Bowling Green State University and my Master's from The University of Akron in School Counseling.

hannah_johnson@amherstk12.org

(440) 988-1648

The Role of a Middle School Counselor

Middle school counselors are educators uniquely trained in child and adolescent development, learning strategies, self management and social skills. They implement a school counseling program to support students through this important developmental period. The school counseling program provides education, prevention and intervention activities, which are integrated into all aspects of students’ lives. The program teaches students the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary for academic, career and social/ emotional development. We also...

Listen to students’ concerns about academic, emotional or social problems
Help students process their problems and plan goals and action
Mediate conflicts
College/career preparation
Small group counseling
504 coordination
Make referrals to outside counseling
Help students get organized
Parent/student/staff communication
Student advocate

How Do I Communicate with My School Counselor?

Mr. Harcula and Mrs. Johnson are available Monday-Friday during school hours. Our offices are located in the main office. You can reach out to us via email or phone.

Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services

Our district has a partnership with Ohio Guidestone and New Leaf counseling agencies for families who are seeking school based therapy, office based therapy, or a combination of both. Please contact your counselors if you are interested in additional mental health support for your child.

Ohio Guidestone: (440) 234-2006

New Leaf Counseling: (440) 742-1661

The Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County brings together the expertise, resources, and proud histories of the Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board of Lorain County (ADAS) founded in 1989 and the Lorain County Board of Mental Health (LCBMH) founded in 1967. The MHARS Board was established in July of 2019. The people served by the mental health and substance use disorder systems have a common goal, and that is recovery. Consolidating the county’s addiction and mental health organizations strengthens our ability to coordinate treatment and recovery services. This is to improve our clients’ lives, and also improve the lives of their family members. The goal is that we will maximize delivery of these health services. It means providing the right care, in the right setting, at the right time. For more information, please visit http://mharsloraincounty.org.

Lorain County Support Hotline/Suicide HotlineRape Crisis Hotline: 1(800)-888-6161

Crisis Text Line: Text '4hope' to 741-741

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988

Amherst Police Department: (440) 988-2625

MRSS (for immediate mental health assistance): 888-418-6777

Mental Health Agencies

Mental Health Resources