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ROLE OF THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR
ROLE OF THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR
Navigating Middle School
Navigating Middle School
Our role as school counselors is to work with any Crossett Brook student who needs educational, social, or emotional guidance during the school day. This is accomplished by building relationships and understanding what motivates each student, so that the needs of each individual can be met.
In addition to supporting students socially and emotionally, we seek to help students, or student groups, with conflict resolution, peer mediation, friendship building, social skill building, and goal setting for the present and future. We also help support students during the transitions to middle school and high school.
Counseling within the school setting is solution focused and brief. Students who need long term, or in-depth support for intense life issues may be referred to outside counselors or therapists.
Students may be seen on an individual basis or in small groups. Students are welcome to self-refer, but may also be referred by a teacher or parent.
OUR MISSION
OUR MISSION
Helping Students Exceed Expectations
Helping Students Exceed Expectations
We believe that all students have unique and amazing gifts to bring to our world, to our community, and to our school. It is my hope that, while students are working to become well rounded academically, they can stay well mentally and emotionally. We seek to support all CBMS students in this process.
Our goal is to help students navigate their middle school years, learn about themselves and others, discover answers and solutions to life's many mysteries, and grow and blossom into productive members of our community and world. In addition, we desire to help students positively reflect on their individual worth so that they may understand the value of their unique contributions to the world. Lastly, we believe in teaching students about personal responsibility for their school work, their relationships, and themselves.
ABOUT US
ABOUT US
Jennifer Hempey
Jennifer Hempey
This is my 21st year as a school counselor at CBMS! I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Saint Michael's College in 1998, and thereafter, I worked for four years as a dorm counselor in a private boarding school serving students with social, emotional, and educational needs. I returned to school to further my education and received a master's degree in counseling, with a K-12 certification in school counseling, from the University of Vermont in 2004. Before working in Waterbury, I spent one year as the school counselor at Main Street Middle School in Montpelier. I live in Richmond with my husband and children. I enjoy coaching basketball, reading, and traveling!
Follow my Blog for parents: It Takes a Village - Thoughts from the School Counselor
Follow the Harwood Unified Union School District School Counselors on Facebook
Follow my Look For the Helpers Blog, full of virtual support from the School Counseling office (Created during the COVID-19 dismissal).
Ms. Scharff is taking a leave of absence during the 2025-2026 school year to spend time adventuring and learning! We will miss her this year, but she plans to rejoin us for the 2026-2027 School Year!
Ms. Scharff is taking a leave of absence during the 2025-2026 school year to spend time adventuring and learning! We will miss her this year, but she plans to rejoin us for the 2026-2027 School Year!
Emily Scharff -
Emily Scharff -
Hello, everyone! I look forward to rejoining the CBMS community in the Fall of 2026! I worked as the School Counselor at Fayston Elementary School for one year before making the jump to middle school. I am drawn to this position for the opportunity to work closely with students, school staff, and families in a rural, inclusive community. I am passionate about Education, supporting Social Emotional Learning, and nurturing and empowering students through Restorative Practices. After graduating from Colorado College with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Spanish, I worked with youth for many years as an Outdoor Educator and as a Wilderness Therapy Field Guide. I then pursued my Master’s in Counseling at the University of Vermont, and worked with a small alternative school in a unique role as the Restorative Practices Coordinator. When I am not working, you can find me in the mountains with my partner and my golden retriever, hiking, skiing, mountain biking, or playing ice hockey. You can also find me reading and writing. I look forward to connecting and getting to know you!
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