Meet the Counselors
Meet the Counselors
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Jessi Lefiles - School Counselor
jessicalefiles@lowndes.k12.ga.us
My name is Jessica LeFiles, and I am excited to continue serving Dewar Elementary School as the full-time school counselor! I look forward to another great year with our students, families, and staff.
Lowndes County has been my home for the past 21 years. I moved to Valdosta to attend Valdosta State University, where I earned my bachelor's degree in Middle Grades Education and my master's degree in School Counseling. I quickly fell in love with the community and decided to make it my home.
This school year marks my sixteenth year in education. I taught sixth and seventh grade English Language Arts and Reading at Valdosta Early College Academy for three years before serving as the school counselor at J.L. Lomax Elementary for four years. I joined Dewar Elementary in 2018 and am grateful for the opportunity to continue serving our school community.
Please feel free to contact me by phone or email if you have any questions or concerns. I look forward to working with you this school year!
Shelly Smith - Moody AFB MFLAC
Hello! I’m Ms. Shelley, the Military and Family Life Counselor at Dewar. I joined the Dewar family in November 2022, and I absolutely love working with our students and being part of this wonderful school community!
I earned my Master of Science in Clinical Counseling Psychology from Valdosta State University and am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Georgia. The first 10 years of my career were spent providing outpatient counseling services, with a focus on individual therapy and trauma support. I now have the privilege of serving military families and supporting children, youth, and families as they navigate life’s challenges.
As a Military and Family Life Counselor, I am passionate about helping students build confidence, develop healthy coping skills, strengthen relationships, and successfully navigate the many transitions and challenges that come with growing up a military kid. I believe every child deserves to feel supported, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential.
When I’m not at Dewar, I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling, continuing my professional growth, and supporting my daughter who is attending University of Florida. I feel incredibly blessed to be part of the Dewar community and look forward to supporting our students and families each day!
Click here to access Dewar Elementary's Military Families' Website
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