The counseling program at Germantown Hills aims to work with teachers, administrators, and parents to promote healthy development among all students and to achieve the utmost academic, social and personal growth in their elementary and middle school years.
The Counseling Program's services include classroom guidance lessons, character development lessons, career exploration, small focus groups, individual academic and social counseling, teacher and parent consultation, and advocating for all students.
Our hope is that every student will benefit from the counseling program provided by Germantown Hills.
If for any reason you should have questions about our program or the services that your child can receive feel free to contact Morgan Perez or Stephanie Hensley.
Email: mperez@ghills69.com or hensleys@ghills69.com
Phone: 309-383-2121
Elementary Students Developmental Needs
The elementary years are a time when students begin to develop their academic self-concept and feelings of competence and confidence as learners. They are beginning to develop decision-making, communication and life skills, as well as character values. It is also a time when students develop and acquire attitudes toward school, self, peers, social groups and family.
Why Elementary School Counselors?
The elementary school years set the foundation for developing the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary for children to become healthy, competent and confident learners. Elementary school counselors have an impact on these years by implementing a comprehensive school counseling program and collaborating with school staff, parents and the community to create a safe and respectful learning environment. By providing education, prevention, early identification and intervention, elementary school counselors help their students achieve academic success, develop an understanding of career opportunities and develop social/emotional skills in response to issues they face. Elementary school counselors hold a master’s degree and required state certification in school counseling. Maintaining certification includes ongoing professional development to stay current with education reform and challenges facing today’s students. Professional association membership enhances the school counselor’s knowledge and effectiveness.
Middle School Students' Developmental Needs
Middle school is an exciting, yet challenging time for students, their parents and teachers. During this passage from childhood to adolescence, middle school students are characterized by a need to explore a variety of interests, connecting their learning in the classroom to its practical application in life and work; high levels of activity coupled with frequent fatigue due to rapid growth; a search for their own unique identity as they begin turning more frequently to peers rather than parents for ideas and affirmation; extreme sensitivity to the comments from others; and heavy reliance on friends to provide comfort, understanding and approval.
Why Middle School Counselors/Social Workers?
Middle school students are characterized by rapid physical growth, curiosity about their world and an emerging self-identity. Through a comprehensive developmental school counseling program, counselors/social workers work as a team member with school staff, parents and the community to create a caring, supportive climate and atmosphere whereby young adolescents can achieve academic success. Middle school counselors/social workers enhance the learning process and promote academic achievement. School counseling programs are essential for students to achieve optimal personal growth, acquire positive social skills and values, set appropriate career goals and realize full academic potential to become productive, contributing members of the world community. The professional middle school counselor/school social worker holds a master’s degree and required state certification in school counseling/type 73-master's in social work. Maintaining certification/licensure includes on-going professional development to stay current with education reform and challenges facing today’s students. Professional association membership is encouraged as it enhances the school counselor’s/social worker's knowledge and effectiveness.
https://www.schoolcounselor.org