Colleen McKay, Counselor
Mrs. McKay
(Enjoying a little Friday night football game!)
Hello! I am one of the counselors at CT Koontz Intermediate. I am honored to be here and to work with you and your students. I have the privilege of looping with the students so that means I will be their counselor for both 5th and 6th grades.
I have been at Koontz as a Counselor since 2017 and prior to Koontz, I was the counselor at Bell Elementary.
I received my Bachelor's degree from Florida State University and received my Masters of Counseling from Western Carolina University and am a National Certified Counselor.
It is a privilege and and an honor to be a part of your student's educational journey.
I look forward to meeting you and connecting with you! Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!
I hope big and amazing things happen for your student while they are here. We value your students and want to make sure that they feel a part of this wonderful school.
What Does A School Counselor Do?
CLASSROOM LESSONS: Teach classroom lessons using different research based Curriculums covering topic social emotional skills such as skills for learning, empathy, compassion, emotion management and problem solving.
INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING: Provide a safe and confidential space to work with students on an individual basis to help promote success in their academic and social/emotional development.
GROUP COUNSELING: Provide weekly confidential sessions in a safe space with a small group of students with similar concerns and issues and/or needs. Again, please refer the virtual setting regarding counseling in a virtual world.
COORDINATION: Work with school personnel, parents/guardians, and community members to promote a healthy development of life-long learners and leaders of the school and community.
CONSULTATION: Work closely with and communicate with students, parents/guardians, staff, and community agencies to build a network of support for positive growth and development of our students.
RESPONSIVE SERVICES: Help to identify and address immediate needs and concerns of the students and families.
The Role of School Counselors
We are here to listen… not work miracles.
We are here to help students discover what they are feeling… not to make their feelings go away.
We are here to help students and parents identify options… not to decide what they should do.
We are here to discuss steps with students and parents… not to take steps away from them.
We are here to help students discover that they can help themselves… not to take responsibility for them.
We are here to help students learn to choose…not to keep them from making difficult choices. We are here to provide support to change
Borrowed from the the Avon Grove School District student Assistance Program, known as S.O.S. (Supporting our Students)
National Board Certified Counselor
Member of American School Counselor Association
Member of North Carolina School Counselor Association