GeS Counseling Program

At GES I promote academic, personal, interpersonal, career, and healthy development through the following practices:  

Classroom Lessons

I visit each class once per month to teach lessons on various topics based on grade-level needs. Topics include emotion identification, coping strategies, and stress management to name a few. I also teach Personal Body Safety lessons in the fall and lessons about career exploration in the spring. 

Small Group Sessions

During student lunches, I meet with groups of 2 to 5 students at a time. I work with students on improving social skills, regulating emotions, using healthy conflict management techniques, coping with anxiety, and dealing with changes.

Individual Counseling

Students may request to work on a one-on-one basis for a few sessions. Parents and staff members may make this request as well. If a student requires ongoing, one-on-one counseling, I will provide and assist with referrals (GES has a partnership with JSSA Mindcraft. To find out more about this program, click here).

Consulting

Part of my role as a school counselor is to consult or problem solve with parents and staff members daily via phone, video conference, email, or in-person. I also have numerous resources to help address areas of possible concerns, such as, behavior management, emotional regulation, social skills, attentional issues, death, and divorce. 

Community Involvement

I work with numerous community organizations such as the Upcounty Hub, a Wider Circle, and Germantown HELP to help ensure GES students have the food and supplies they need to succeed in school.  

SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) Coordinator

GES is using a school-wide, research-based SEL program called Harmony. This program helps students make connections with others, collaborate, and learn important life skills. Harmony is comprised of four units and each quarter our school-wide SEL focus will be on a different unit, including: Being my Best Self (Unit 1), Valuing Each Other (Unit 2), Communicating with Each Other (Unit 3), and Learning from Each Other (Unit 4). To implement this program, classroom teachers deliver Harmony lessons and utilize activities called "Meet Up" and "Buddy Up." Additionally, to acknowledge and celebrate students leading the way at GES by demonstrating social-emotional learning, Patriot Leader tickets will be displayed on a bulletin board and announced during our monthly Principal's Chats.

Restorative Approaches (RA) School Coach

Restorative Approaches (RA) encompass methods of building community, self-care, and conflict resolution. I work with our staff and students to be able to problem solve, repair harm, and restore relationships in productive ways. Restorative Approaches are not only utilized to solve problems as they arise, but as a way to be preventative and to teach life-long problem solving and relationship skills to students. Click here for to read further about RA in MCPS.

No Place for Hate (NPFH) Coordinator

Germantown Elementary School first implemented No Place for Hate (NPFH) during the 2024-2025 school year. This program engages students and staff in dialogue and active learning on the topics of bias, bullying, inclusion and allyship. Each year, a student committee is formed to lead the school in this important learning. Click here to find out more!

Career Day

Each school year, I organize a career day to promote career awareness and exploration. Career day usually takes place shortly before spring break. Several speakers from the community participate and share their expertise and experiences with students.

504 Plans

I am the case manager and contact for 504 Plans at GES. 504 Plans help students with substantial limitations perform at the same level as their peers. Click here for additional information about 504 Plans in MCPS.