School Counseling Program Vision:
The school counselor will partner with students, families, staff, and community stakeholders to empower the hearts and minds of all learners, so that they know how to manage themselves (emotions, behavior, and academic success) and are authentically connected to themselves, others, and the environment. Students’ passions are cultivated through meaningful opportunities to teach, learn, contribute, and make decisions, which nurtures a deeper understanding of themselves and inspires their engagement in the world around them for life-long success.
School Counseling Program Mission:
The mission of the Laurel Mountain School Counseling program is to provide comprehensive, developmentally appropriate counseling services to all students through joyful learning and enrichment opportunities that will engage and inspire every student, supporting all students' social, emotional, behavioral, academic, and career growth. All students will develop the skills, strategies, and attitudes necessary to become independent explorers, critical thinkers, leaders, and responsible citizens of a diverse, ever-changing global community.
School Counseling Core Beliefs:
All children have value and deserve our respect and very best every day.
All children have interests and talents, and as adults we can help cultivate those.
We affect our environment by what we say and do.
It is necessary for kids to feel safe and have their basic needs met before they can learn new things in school.
All children have a desire to learn and can be successful in school.
All people have a need to belong and deserve a friend.
Social-emotional health and habits can be taught, practiced, and modeled.
Humans are healthier, happier, and smarter when exposed to natural environments.
My name is Charlotte Justice, and I am the full-time School Counselor at Laurel Mountain. I am excited to begin the journey of this new school year with you! This is my 20th year in education and 17th year at Laurel Mountain. My educational roots began in Houston, Texas before I ventured to Austin for college and graduate school at the University of Texas at Austin. I began my counseling work as a counselor at a charter high school in south Austin serving at-promise youth before making my way to Laurel Mountain as a Special Education and Intervention teacher. I am certified in Texas as a School Counselor, as well as being certified to teach pre-K through 4th grade, special education, and English as a Second Language. I am eager to use my strengths and experience to support each student’s social, emotional, behavioral, academic, and career development.
We have a unique opportunity during our students’ most formative years to help deepen their understanding of themselves and the world around them. As a School Counselor, I support all students in the school by offering a variety of large group, small group, and individual services. My vision for the LME counseling program is to partner with others so that all students are connected and know how to manage the ups, downs, and all arounds of life. My efforts and services are aligned with this vision, as well as with Laurel Mountain’s vision of empowering all learners' hearts and minds in these foundational years. I hope I can be of service to your child and family, and I look forward to getting to know our students and you as we begin another great school year.
On a more personal level, my husband and I are blessed to have two children—an 11 year-old son and a 7 year old daughter. We spend as much time as possible with our sweet family, often outdoors! We enjoy camping, playing in the water, exploring, or doing most anything active. Being a “mom” has certainly helped me gain new perspective on the counseling work I do at Laurel Mountain and within the community, and I appreciate how raising children is possibly the most difficult and rewarding responsibility that we have… all the more reason to work together and be partners in this important time of our kids’ lives.
I am honored to be of service to your child and family this year. Please let me know how I can help support your child’s development, and contact me if you have any questions or concerns.