I am proud to serve as the Mental Health & Wellness Facilitator at Smith Barnes Elementary. I am passionate about supporting the whole child and helping our students feel connected, supported, and ready to learn. My work includes supporting student and staff mental health and wellness, attendance, behavior, mentoring, family and community engagement, and connecting students and families with resources when needed. I also enjoy working alongside our teachers, administrators, families, and community partners to help create a school environment where every student feels like they belong and has the opportunity to be successful.

I hold a Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Services, a Master of Science in School and Agency Counseling, and an Education Specialist degree in Professional Counseling and Supervision. I am also a certified School Counselor, published author, and have additional training and certifications in anger management, forensic interviewing, and Youth and Work Mental Health First Aid. My education and experiences have allowed me to support children and families in a variety of settings, and I truly value the opportunity to bring those experiences into the work I do each day at SBE.

For me, this work is about more than addressing a concern when one comes up. It is about building relationships, creating connections, removing barriers, and making sure our students and families know they have people in their corner. I am grateful to be part of the SBE community and to have the opportunity to support our Tigers as they learn, grow, and thrive!