The Role of the Professional School Counselor
Please click the link below to view the role of the Professional School Counselor as defined by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA).
Wildwood Forest Counseling Mission
The mission of the Wildwood Forest Elementary Counseling program is to prepare all students to become responsible citizens of our global community. All students will be supported in an environment that is safe, positive, and judgement free as they work toward long-term personal, academic, and social success . Counselors will advocate for all students, collaborate with teachers and administrators, and work with parents as necessary. This cohesive environment, in addition to the comprehensive programming developed to meet immediate student needs, will empower all students to overcome any challenges that may interfere with their ability to reach their highest and most desired potential.
Fulfilling the Mission
In order to fulfill the mission of the Wildwood Forest Elementary Counseling department, Mrs. Thames will visit all classrooms at least once a month to conduct lessons on life-skills and character traits. In addition, Mrs. Thames will collaborate with grade level teachers and administrators and will facilitate small groups that best meet immediate student need in each grade level. She is also available to meet with students one-on-one to discuss any barriers that may be interfering with a student's ability to reach his or her highest potential. Students may request an appointment with Mrs. Thames by filling out a self-referral paper on her door, or parents may also refer students by contacting Mrs. Thames directly. The counseling department respects the importance of instructional time, and therefore, students will be pulled for an appointment throughout the day during non-instructional hours such as lunch or recess. If, for any reason, this is not possible, Mrs. Thames will collaborate with the student's teacher to pick the least disruptive time.