Counselor Class Lessons

• Every class receives a counselor lesson 2 times a month for 30 minutes each from September - March based on DESE grade level expectations. 

• Lesson Topics: Feelings/Emotions, Friendship, Harassment/Bullying, Problem Solving & Conflict Resolution, Respect & Responsibility, Study Skills & Listening, Internet Safety, Diversity, Teamwork and Career Exploration

Small Group Lessons

• Groups are held based on need by grade level or class. Typically they are weekly for 30 minutes totaling 6-8 weeks. 

• Groups may include: Divorce, Grief, Self-Care, Social Skills, Attendance, Responsibility, GRIT, Leadership, Friendship

Lunch Bunch Lessons

• Lunch Groups are held based on need per grade level. Typically they are weekly during lunch. Frequency is based on need. 

• Topics may include: Regulating Emotions, Listening Skills, Focus/Attention, Social Skills, Relationships, Organization, Self Esteem, Leadership

Brief, Solution Focused Individual Counseling

• As a school counselor, I am not a licensed professional counselor and am not allowed to do clinical therapy.

• I assess the situation with a student and work with the student and family to provide support, encouragement and resources. 

• Topics include: anxiety/worry, attention/focus, depression, family violence, divorce, child abuse, child neglect, suicidal ideation, death of a family member, friendship mediation

Student Leadership Team

• Lead 30-40 students in 3rd - 5th grade to be leaders in the building

• Monthly meetings to teach leadership

• Plan activities throughout the year for service and support in the community. (I.E. Food Drives, Volunteer Breakfast, Job Responsibilities)

Students in Transition and Foster Care Liaison

• Work with families in a transition from one home to another. Provide resources to family and support students at school. 

• Work with foster families to ensure support and resources available for the students. 

Student Intervention Team Building Coordinator

• This is a major part of my school counseling role. 

• Teachers refer students to the Student Intervention Team to receive support through Response to Intervention or strategies to help the student improve academically or behaviorally. 

• I set meetings with the team, guide the meetings, gather data, create graphs and analyze data to help teachers understand the student, and communicate information with parents. 

• Through this process we see improvement or the student may be referred for a special education evaluation. 

504 Building Coordinator

• Nurse Kayte and I work closely to identify students through a building Child Find process that may have a 504 disability or parents request a 504 evaluation through me.

• I facilitate this process by convening Team Meetings and creating all of the legal documents that go with the process.  Meetings are held and paper documentation is created and sent to anyone in the process. I monitor these 504s and ensure teachers/staff are following them.

Standardized Testing (MAP) Building Coordinator

• Facilitate and manage the Missouri Assessment Program Standardized Assessment for students in third - fifth grade. 

Holiday Assistance Liaison and Brendan Backpack Contact

• Facilitate the holiday assistance program at Meramec. 

• This past year, Meramec was able to help 52 families and 131 students by providing a Thanksgiving meal or Christmas gifts. 

• Brendan's backpack program services anywhere between 40-50 students a week by providing a grocery bag size of snacks and food for the weekend.