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KP families,
Welcome to a new school year! We are very excited to see you all this year and work with you and your children. Hello, and welcome to Counselor's Corner. It is my hope you will be able to use this website as a resource to support your child.
There are many resources I can offer you. The attached letter introduces you to Harmony at Home, the new addition to our Sanford family of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) resources, which gives immediate access to our current online portal. Teachers will use this with your children daily in the classroom. We will follow up with bi-monthly lessons in your child's classroom as well.
Harmony is a social and emotional learning (SEL) program for pre-kindergarten through sixth-grade students that gives every child opportunities to learn vital relationship-building skills in a supportive learning environment. In addition to having personal social and emotional benefits, SEL is associated with significant gains on academic achievement tests. The Harmony program is designed to build healthy relationships among students by having them engage in activities that promote understanding and respect. Over the course of the five units listed below, students will embrace their abilities to learn, collaborate, and spend time together.
• Being My Best Self
• Valuing Each Other
• Communicating with Each Other
• Learning from Each Other
• Supporting Our Community
Beth Wert
Elizabeth_A_Wert@mcpsmd.org
I little about me: My name is Beth Wert and I am the school counselor. I am a mom of three girls, a wife, and a strong member of my community. I love to spend time with my family. I completed my undergraduate studies at Frostburg State University in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. I was a teacher in Montgomery County for 9 years. I earned my Master's Degree from Trinity University with a Master's in Counseling. I also am a Licenced Certified Professional Counselor (LCPC) and a National Board Certified Counselor. I come from a solution focused and cognitive and behavioral approach to counseling.
My passion is to work with children, families, and teachers to support the overall wellness and growth of the students at Kensington Parkwood elementary school. I am from a very large family. I enjoy cooking, exercising and going to the beach. I love to travel.
Dana Goozh
Dana_J_Goozh@mcpsmd.org
Hello. My name is Dana Goozh, and I am excited to join the counseling team at Kensington Parkwood. Prior to coming to KP, I taught math for 18 years, mainly in MCPS. I am originally from New Jersey, got my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Penn State University and my master’s degree in School Counseling from Johns Hopkins University. I have 4 college-aged children and in my spare time, I love to do yoga, play pickleball, play Mahjong and Canasta, cook, and spend time with family and friends. I am passionate about my work and committed to building strong relationships with students, collaborating with families and staff, and helping children develop the skills they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom. I look forward to a wonderful year of learning, growth, and success for every child.
Books Lists
The Anxious Generation — Jonathan Haidt
Haidt focuses on the shift from a play- and independence-based childhood toward a phone- and social-media-based childhood, and offers concrete ideas for restoring independence, free play, real-world connection, and healthy boundaries around technology. His site also provides a free Parent Guide, Educator Guide, and discussion materials, which makes it especially useful for a school website.
Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child — John Gottman
Gottman focuses on helping parents become "emotion coaches"—recognizing children's emotions, validating them, and helping children learn to manage and understand their feelings.
The Whole-Brain Child — Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson
A very accessible book for parents who want to understand why their child's brain sometimes seems to take over! It gives families practical strategies for helping children move from big emotional reactions toward regulation, problem-solving, and connection.
Good Inside — Becky Kennedy
A particularly approachable resource for parents who want help responding to challenging behavior while maintaining connection. I like this one for elementary families because it emphasizes that children can have difficult behavior and still be good kids who need skills and support.
Interestingly, the Anxious Generation team has partnered with Dr. Becky Kennedy on a parent guide specifically connecting their approaches.
The Self-Driven Child — William Stixrud & Ned Johnson
This would be a great one for 3rd–5th grade families. It focuses on helping children develop autonomy, motivation, resilience, and the ability to handle stress rather than parents constantly managing things for them.
How to Raise an Adult — Julie Lythcott-Haims
It encourages parents to step back appropriately and allow children to develop competence, responsibility, and problem-solving skills.
The Explosive Child — Ross W. Greene
A good resource for families whose children struggle with frustration, flexibility, transitions, or emotional outbursts. Greene's approach is centered around the idea that challenging behavior often reflects lagging skills rather than simply a child choosing to misbehave.
The Gift of Failure — Jessica Lahey
I would especially recommend this one for upper elementary families. It is about allowing children to experience appropriate failure, frustration, and natural consequences so they develop independence and resilience.
Podcasts
Good Inside with Dr. Becky
Good Inside with Dr. Becky
Best for: Everyday parenting, behavior, connection, boundaries, big emotions
Dr. Becky is extremely accessible and gives parents practical language they can actually use with their children.
The Child Mind Institute Podcast
The Child Mind Institute Podcast
Best for: Anxiety, friendships, behavior, emotional health, learning, and mental health
Child Mind Institute covers many of the issues families encounter at school. Their organization also provides extensive free resources for parents and educators.
The Gottman Institute / Gottman Parenting
The Gottman Institute / Gottman Parenting
Best for: Emotional intelligence, relationships, communication, empathy, and parenting
The Gottman parenting resources include videos, exercises, readings, and podcasts focused on helping parents build children's empathy, resilience, and positive behavior.
The Longest Shortest Time
The Longest Shortest Time
Best for: Real-life parenting stories, connection, and the messy parts of raising children
This is less "how-to" and more conversational, which can make it feel approachable for families who don't want another parenting lecture.
Websites Worth Bookmarking
Child Mind Institute
Excellent for articles on anxiety, friendships, behavior, emotional regulation, learning differences, and navigating difficult moments with children.
The Anxious Generation
Excellent for conversations around technology, smartphones, social media, independence, free play, and childhood. Their site has specific resources for parents and educators, including a Parent Action Guide and a Parent & Teacher Talk.
Let Grow
Their focus is on independence, resilience, free play, responsibility, and giving children opportunities to do things on their own. They even offer a free Independence Kit for families and school resources.
Big Life Journal
Great for growth mindset, resilience, confidence, goal setting, and helping children work through challenges.
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